Simpson College Men's Soccer

Isaacson's Credentials   It took Rick Isaacson just two seasons to turn around the Simpson mens soccer program, and the future looks bright. The 2016 season marks Isaacson's sixth at Simpson, where he has guided the Storm to a 54-43-7 record. Isaacson has led Simpson to three 10-win seasons and three trips to the IIAC Tournament Semifinals. Isaacson has coached 11 all-Iowa Conference performers, including the program's career leader in goals and points, Mitchell White (2011-14). The Storm got out to a slow start in 2015 before winning four in a row to close the regular season, tying for third in the league standings. Simpson advanced to the IIAC Tournament Semifinals after advancing past Wartburg in penalty kicks 6-5 in the first round. At 4-2-1 in the IIAC, Simpson had its best conference winning percentage since 2002.  Simpson began the 2013 season by setting a school record for the longest undefeated streak to start a season. The Storm went 7-0-2 en-route to a 12-7-2 mark on the year and a fourth place finish in the Iowa Conference. Simpson advanced to the semifinal round of the Iowa Conference Tournament before losing to eventual NCAA Final Four participant, Loras, 1-0. Simpson experienced tremendous growth under Isaacson in 2012, going 13-8-1 to complete an eight-game turnaround from 2010. Simpsons 13 wins were the most by the program since 2002 and the Storm advanced to the Iowa Conference Tournament Semifinals after knocking off Wartburg in the opening round. In his first year on the sidelines, Isaacson helped Simpson achieve its best record since 2006, going 8-10-1. The Storm finished third in the Iowa Conference with a 5-3 mark, the teams top finish in the league standings since 2003. Along the way, Isaacson orchestrated wins over traditional conference powers Central and Dubuque, the first time a Simpson team has beaten both in the same season. Isaacson came to Simpson from Ankeny High School, where he served as head boys soccer coach for six years. He led the Hawks to a 110-25 record during his tenure, winning the Iowa High School Class 2A State Championship in 2007 and finishing the season with a No. 7 national ranking by the NSCAA. During Isaacson's tenure, he earned CIML Central Conference Coach of the Year honors three times while guiding Ankeny to the state tournament on four occasions. He also earned the State of Iowa Coach's Achievement Award in 2007. Isaacson began his career as an assistant girls coach at Urbandale before taking over as the head boys coach at Decorah in 2004. He continues to coach club soccer for both the Iowa Rush and Johnston and Urbandale Soccer Clubs, positions he has held since 2003. He played collegiately at Luther College and was a four-year starter at goalkeeper for the Norse. During his career, Isaacson led Luther to three Iowa Conference championships and three NCAA Tournament appearances (1999, 2001, 2002). He was a two-time NSCAA Second Team All-West Region selection, a three-time all-conference performer and earned Iowa Conference MVP honors in 2002. He is Luther's career-leader with 40 shutouts and in 2001, Isaacson helped the Norse to an appearance in the NCAA Elite Eight. Rick and his wife, Kelly, reside in Urbandale. The couple has two children: Addison (6) and Charles (1). Isaacson at Simpson