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OUAZ Athletics

Brett Bentley

OUAZ welcomed Brett Bentley as the new Head Coach for Women's Soccer in February of 2024. A seasoned professional of 20 years, Coach Bentley brings with him a wealth of coaching experience having coached at the NAIA, NCAA Division I & II, USL 2, UWS and WPSL professional levels. Most recently, Coach Bentley served as the Director of Girls Soccer and Head Coach of the United Women's Soccer Team (second division pro) for FC Arizona in Chandler, AZ. During his time with FCAZ Coach Bentley helped countless players transition from high school into the college soccer ranks including goalkeeper Donovan Parisian. Parisian helped lead the University of San Diego to a #3 National Ranking in NCAA Division I and most recently was selected #18 in the 2025 Major League Soccer SuperDraft after being named the West Coast Conference Goalkeeper of the Year.

Before Ottawa Bentley served as the Head Men's Soccer Coach at Adams State University in Alamosa, CO. During his tenure, Coach Bentley broke all coaching records for the men's soccer program while leading his teams to multiple top-10 rankings in the NCAA Division II South Central Regional Rankings. Before returning to Adams State, Coach Bentley was the First Assistant and Recruiting Coordinator at The University of Evansville. While at Evansville Coach Bentley helped lead the program through the #21 Strength of Schedule in all NCAA Division I, facing off with 6 NCAA National Tournament teams and to the nation's longest running record for overtime matches in a season without a loss (14). Additionally, Coach Bentley led the recruitment efforts of two Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Year, 7 All-Conference 1st/2nd Team award winners and two post season conference appearances while helping to develop defender Symon Weaver who was selected #51 in the 2020 MLS Super Draft by Toronto FC. 

Prior to moving to Indiana, Coach Bentley was the Head Men's Coach at Adams State. In his first season (2016), Coach Bentley brought in 21 new players and laid the foundation for future success.  The 2016 team got off to a great start by beating Texas A&M International in double overtime for the first time in program history and giving Coach Bentley his first win in his tenure at Adams State.  The team then followed that up with the best start in program history at 3-1 which lead to the program's first ever regional ranking at No. 9. The 2016 Grizzlies went on to tie the program's best season for wins.  For the first time in program history two players were awarded with RMAC All-Conference Honors (Fabbricatore, 2nd team & Wagner, Honorable Mention).  Additionally, the team broke records for goals (25), goals per game (1.39), assists (19), assists per game (.94), shots on goal (102), shot percentage (.130) and penalty kicks awarded (3) in a single season. The 2017 team then went onto best the records set the year prior (2016) and just narrowly missed out on the program's first ever post season appearance. 

In addition to being the Grizzlies head coach, Coach Bentley served as an assistant coach with the Southern California Seahorses of United Soccer League 2 (USL 2).  USL 2 is considered the third division in the United States Soccer Leagues Professional Pyramid.  Labeled the "Path2Pro", the USL 2 is an amateur league designed for elite, under 23 aged players who are pursuing a professional career in soccer.  In his first season with the team, Coach Bentley assisted in the resurgence of the side, helping to take a perineal 2-win team to a mid-table finish at 5-7-2 in the highly competitive Western Conference Southwest Division.

Prior to joining Adams State, Bentley served as the lead assistant coach for Lubbock Christian University, a member of the Heartland Conference. During the 2015 campaign, Bentley and the Chaparrals ranked eighth nationally with 18.47 shots per game and compiled an 8-7-2 record. Along the way the Chaparrals picked up several positive results against nationally ranked programs (#1 Midwestern State, 1-1 & #12 West Texas A&M, 2-1 win)

Coach Bentley has also spent five seasons (2010-15) as the Director of Soccer for Northwest Christian University (now Bushnell U) in Eugene, OR.  At NCU Coach Bentley was responsible for leading both the men’s and women’s soccer teams. In 2015 Coach Bentley ultimately left as the all-time wins leader for both programs. Coach Bentley helped the Beacons notch single-season records for wins and conference points and in 2012 led the women’s team to a double overtime victory against Nationally Ranked #1 Concordia (Ore.). His team's on-field successes were matched in the classroom as Bentley’s teams recorded program-bests for team GPA's.

Before becoming a Head Coach at the college level Coach Bentley served as an assistant coach with Corban University (2008-09), the Cascade Surge (2008-09), and Grand Canyon University (2006). His extensive background with the sport also positioned him as a Coaching Director and head coach with the Keizer Soccer Club ('09-'14), the Indiana Fire ('18-'20) and FC Arizona ('22-'24). 

As a player, Bentley grew up playing for Sereno SC and Desert Vista HS in Phoenix, AZ. His time as a youth led led to opportunities to play for the Region IV Olympic Development Team (U19 National Team Pool), the University of California-Riverside, and Yavapai Junior College before finishing his collegiate career at Corban University. Bentley then spent three seasons playing for the Cascade Surge (Salem, Ore.) of the Premier Developmental League in the USL, one season in which he doubled as a player and coach. Bentley then spent time playing and living in Germany, spending time with AFC Waldorf, VFL Kircheim, and SC Geislingen in the German regional and national professional leagues.

Bentley holds a BS degree in Psychology from Corban University, a MSC in Coaching from Ohio University, a Premier Diploma from United Soccer Coaches, and a B License from the United States Soccer Federation.

Bentley resides in Surprise with his wife Kara and son Asher.Â