Brian Plotkin - Head Men's Soccer Coach - Staff Directory

Staff Directory

Brian Plotkin

Title:
Head Men's Soccer Coach
Email:
Phone:
2420

Brian Plotkin heads into his fifth season at the helm of Army men's soccer after being named the 12th head coach in program history in May of 2021.

Army knocked off both Air Force and Navy in 2024 by 2-1 scorelines. Army defeated both Air Force and Navy in the same season for just the fifth time in program history, and the first time since 2016. Army is now 11-6-5 in its last 22 fixtures vs. academy rivals and has gone unbeaten against academies for the second season in a row.

In 2023, the Black Knights went unbeaten in two fixtures against service academy rivals. In the rain on opening night August 24, knocking off Air Force at home 3-2 in come-from-behind fashion. Army then drew Navy October 13 in Army-Navy Cup XII later in the season, at Subaru Park in Chester, Pa.

Cooper Warren won Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week September 18, and took home Midfielder of the Week accolades October 16. Also on September 18, D’Anthony Brown was named Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week.

Two Black Knights also won freshman weekly awards, with Jubril Bamgbala being named Patriot League Rookie of the Week September 4, and Gage Lyons following suit October 23. After the season, Defender Nick Atkinson was placed on the Patriot League All-Conference Second Team.

In May 2024, Plotkin was a recipient of the academy's Coach K Award. The award recognizes West Point cadet athletes, coaches, officers in charge (OIC), and sports educators for their outstanding commitment to the development of noble character through athletic participation and leadership, named after former Army Men's Basketball player and coach Mike Krzyzewski.

In 2022, Plotkin had a breakthrough campaign in his second season at West Point as Army won the Patriot League regular season championship for the first time in 26 seasons. The Black Knights finished the regular season with a 5-1-3 conference record and 8-5-3 record overall, including a win over Navy in Philadelphia. Unprecedented territory in this century for the program, Army suffered just one defeat in its final 13 contests of the season on its way to the number one seed in the postseason.

Plotkin was named 2022 Patriot League Coach of the Year following the season. Army took home three major awards altogether, with sophomore Gage Guerra named the conference's Offensive Player of the Year and Max Andrews collecting Rookie of the Year honors. Guerra was one of three Black Knights named to the league's all-first team, joining midfielder Cooper Warren and defender Nick Atkinson. With Andrews on the All-Patriot League second-team, junior Sam Epitime and sophomore goalie Tomas Hut landed on the third-team. Plotkin became the first Army head coach to win the award since 1996.

In his first season at the helm of the program in 2021, Army had a record of 8-7-3 closing out the season at the Patriot League semifinals. Plotkin mentored Oscar Pereira, Jacob Suppiah, and John Poncy to earn All-Patriot League honors. He guided Pereira to United Soccer Coaches Atlantic Region Second Team honors in his final season with the Black Knights.

Former Army West Point Director of Athletics Mike Buddie believes Plotkin’s time as an assistant coach and a professional soccer player will help him lead the Black Knights to success.

"We are so excited to announce the hiring of Brian Plotkin as the next men's soccer head coach at Army West Point," said Buddie. "He brings a wealth of experience as an assistant coach throughout Division I, including Power Five schools and high-level academic institutions. As a standout player himself at Indiana University and an MLS Cup champion, he brings to West Point the highest level of playing experience. We are confident he is going to be a great leader of our cadet athletes, not only on the pitch but off it as we develop leaders of character for our nation."

Plotkin’s coaching career began in his own backyard of Chicago as an assistant for the Loyola-Chicago Ramblers from 2013-15. In his three seasons on staff, Loyola improved every season and earned spots in the NCAA Rankings twice. Plotkin was an integral part in developing multiple all-conference selections as well as three players of the year while in Chicago.

Plotkin made the jump from Chicago in 2016, when he was hired in an assistant coaching role by Dartmouth College and Head Coach Chad Riley. His time in Hanover was highlighted by two Ivy League Championships and two NCAA Tournament appearances. With the Big Green, Plotkin coached up three players of the year and helped Defenseman Wyatt Omsberg become the first MLS SuperDraft selection in program history.

In 2018, Plotkin made the move to South Bend with Coach Riley after he was hired as the Head Coach of Notre Dame. With Plotkin’s help, the Fighting Irish made the 2018 and 2019 NCAA Tournaments.

The Lisle, Ill. native played collegiate soccer at Indiana University where he helped the Hoosiers win back-to-back National Championships in 2003 and 2004. He played in 90 games for IU as a midfielder, scoring 24 goals and totaling 36 assists. As a senior, Plotkin finished as the runner-up for the Hermann Trophy Award - given every year to the nation’s top college soccer player - and was tabbed as the Big 10 Player of the Year.
His time in Bloomington resulted in a 20th overall selection in the 2006 MLS SuperDraft by the Chicago Fire. Plotkin played in 23 games with the Fire from 2006-08 and was a part of the 2006 US Open Cup winning squad.

Plotkin signed with the Columbus Crew of the MLS for the 2008 season, where he was a member of the 2008 MLS Cup Championship team.

After a brief stint with the Carolina RailHawks of the USL First Division, Plotkin retired from professional soccer and began his career in coaching.

Plotkin earned both a United Soccer Coaches (NSCAA) Premier Diploma and a USSF ‘A' license in addition to a degree in General Studies from Indiana University.