SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - Chris Brown, head coach of the University of San Francisco men's soccer team, has signed a five-year contract extension through the end of 2030, announced Friday morning.

"It is inspiring to witness how Coach Brown, and the men's soccer staff and student-athletes continue to exude a culture of elite-level competitiveness and high character," said Interim Director of Athletics, Stephanie Shrieve-Hawkins. "He successfully guides a model program that truly exemplifies the holistic values we hold here at USF. We are excited that his leadership will extend with us, and I am honored to work alongside him."

Brown, who is in his fifth year at the helm of the Dons, has seen steady improvement in the program over the past few seasons, including a chance for USF to make its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2017 in the coming days. San Francisco enters tonight's regular season finale at No. 32 in the NCAA's men's soccer RPI rankings through games on Nov. 13.

    "San Francisco is my home, and I truly love this place," said Brown. "My wife Jess and our twin boys, Jack and William, are excited to continue calling the Hilltop our home. My staff     and I have built a strong foundation, and we're proud of the culture we've created and the outstanding young men we are fortunate to coach. Since 2021, we have continued to     improve, and I firmly believe our best is yet to come. San Francisco has a rich history, and our goal is to keep elevating the program while competing for conference and national     championships. I am extremely grateful for the support of our president and everyone in our athletics department. We deeply miss the late Larry Williams, and I want to especially     thank Stephanie Shrieve-Hawkins, Frank Allocco, and the entire USF Athletics administration for their continued belief and support."

This season, San Francisco has tallied ten wins, the most since the program last appeared in the NCAA Tournament in 2017 and the same year USF last won the West Coast Conference (WCC). Following a 4-1 start to the season, the Dons were ranked in a national poll for the first time since 2018, when San Francisco checked in at No. 20 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll on Sept. 9.

With a win over Seattle U on Friday night, the Dons would tally their most wins since 2014, when San Francisco finished 11-6-2 overall and 5-2 in conference play. USF's six league victories would also mark the most since 2005, when the Dons finished 11-6-4 and 6-3-3 in conference action. Following a second-place finish in 2024, San Francisco is guaranteed a top four finish this season.

"I am proud to support Coach Brown and our student-athletes from their deep commitment to Jesuit, Catholic education," said President Salvador D. Aceves, '83, EdD '95. "They are leaders who pursue excellence, live with integrity, and serve others."

Under Brown, Reid Roberts was selected with the fifth overall pick by the San Jose Earthquakes in the first round of the 2025 MLS SuperDraft. With his selection by the Earthquakes, Roberts became the highest-drafted player ever from the University of San Francisco and the first Don selected in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft since Miguel Aguilar was picked seventeenth overall by D.C. United in 2015. Overall, he was the third first round pick to come from the Hilltop during the MLS SuperDraft era - Rob Valentino (2008/New England Revolution) and Aguilar (2015/D.C. United).

Additionally, Brown has enjoyed success against fellow Bay Area opponents, compiling a 5-1 record against California and Stanford since the start of the 2022 season. USF defeated No. 9 Stanford (2-1) on the road on Oct. 12, 2023, followed by a win at home over No. 2 Stanford (2-0) on Oct. 17, 2024, nearly one year apart. The Dons took down No. 17 California (2-1) in Berkeley this fall, picking up a victory on Aug. 28. Overall, Brown is 10-2-2 against California, Stanford, Saint Mary's, Santa Clara, and San José State since the start of the 2023 season.

During his four years, 20 different student-athletes have earned All-West Coast Conference honors, including four earning First Team honors. Eric Waltz was named WCC Goalkeeper of the Year in 2023, while Reid Roberts was named WCC Defensive Player of the Year in 2024.

Brown has also transformed the program off the pitch, with USF having 43 student-athletes earning WCC All-Academic honors during his tenure. Notably, USF finished with the most All-Academic selections in the conference in 2021 (12) and 2023 (10).

For updates and more information on University of San Francisco men's soccer, follow @USFDonsMSoccer on Twitter, @USFDonsMensSoccer on Instagram, and University of San Francisco Men's Soccer on Facebook.