Stephens College Athletics is excited to welcome Bryan Blitz as an assistant coach for the Stars soccer program. A veteran coach with more than 30 years of experience, Blitz brings a championship pedigree and deep ties to Columbia soccer.
Blitz spent 25 seasons as the head coach of the University of Missouri women’s soccer program, where he built the Tigers into a national contender. Under his leadership, Mizzou made seven NCAA Tournament appearances, won a Big 12 regular-season title and tournament championship, and became a force in the SEC after transitioning in 2012. A 2021 Missouri Sports Hall of Fame inductee, Blitz earned 300 career head coaching wins and was named conference Coach of the Year four times.
Blitz reunites with Stars head coach Don Trentham, with whom he spent six seasons at Mizzou, leading the Tigers to five SEC Tournament appearances and an NCAA Tournament berth.
"I'm excited to have Coach Blitz join the staff," said Trentham. "Having worked together in the past, we have a familiarity with each other and have experienced success together. He knows what it takes to win and is a great recruiter, but even more importantly, he is invested in mentoring and developing our student-athletes on and off the field."
Blitz's coaching career began at Butler University, where he led the women’s soccer program from 1992-96. His experience extends to the U.S. U-23 Women’s National Team, where he helped guide the squad to a Four Nations Tournament championship in Spain, as well as international coaching and scouting roles with Rome City Institute in Italy. Most recently, Blitz served as an assistant coach at Washington State, Northwestern, and Chicago FC United’s MLS NEXT Academy.
"I am so excited and honored to be part of a new era of Stephens soccer," said Blitz. "I want to thank Coach Trentham and Athletic Director Melinda Wrye-Washington for the opportunity. Go Stars!"
Blitz holds a UEFA B License, a U.S. Soccer A License, and an Advanced National License from United Soccer Coaches. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Tulsa and a Master’s Degree in Sports Management from Link University/Rome City Institute in Italy.
He and his wife, Alie, reside in Columbia and have four adult children—Abby, Connor, Oliver, and Madison—as well as a granddaughter, Lucille.
Blitz brings a wealth of experience, recruiting connections, and a winning mentality to a Stars program on the rise, helping shape the next generation of Stephens soccer.
