INDIANAPOLIS - IUPUI men's soccer assistant coach Garrett Bireline has stepped down from his post to assume the role as head coach at Southern Wesleyan (S.C.) University. Bireline will take over a program transitioning to the NCAA Division 2 level this fall after going 15-7-2 in 2015.

"It's an exciting opportunity for me in my career. The university and the program has tremendous potential and the plan is to immediately be very competitive in Division 2 and Conference Carolinas," Bireline said. "I'm very conscious to build on the legacy that Camilo (Rodriguez) established and to make Southern Wesleyan the first option for any Christian soccer standout in the South and nationally.

"I'm extremely grateful to Coach (Jacob), having played for him growing up and then having the opportunity to coach alongside him at IUPUI. He's become like a second father-figure in my life and taught me a lot about the game and about life. I'm truly indebted to him and the IUPUI administration for giving me the opportunity."

Bireline has served as IUPUI's top assistant since 2014 and coached five all-league players in his two seasons. He helped rookie striker Uriel Macias earn the league's Newcomer of the Year Award in 2014 and saw standout goalie Eduardo Cortes join the professional ranks following his IUPUI career.

Academically, the men's soccer team posted a 3.35 grade point average during the spring semester – a new high water mark under Head Coach Isang Jacob.

"It's a bittersweet situation for me," Jacob said. "I'm very, very happy for Garrett and his wife on receiving this opportunity to take on his own program. He's a fantastic person, first of all.

"Our loss is their absolute gain. He's ready for the challenge and the opportunity that comes with it. I'm very, very excited for his new challenge and to see his growth as a head coach."

The men's soccer program has been increasingly active in the Indianapolis community since Bireline's arrival, participating in initiatives to benefit Gleaners Food Bank, Indianapolis Public Schools, Indiana Black Expo, Komen Indy and Midwest Food Bank, among others.

At Southern Wesleyan, Bireline will inherit an impressive roster that outscored foes by a 46-29 margin a season ago and authored 10 shutouts. Overall, the university has reached a record enrollment in each of the past three years in conjunction with the move from NAIA to the NCAA Division 2 level.

"There's a lot of international flavor on the roster and a lot of talented guys already in place," Bireline said. "We're going to continue to recruit to bring in the right kids to represent Southern Wesleyan University and the Christian values the university stands for.

"The campus is growing the university isn't bashful about increasing resources in an effort to become a national power."

Bireline becomes the third former assistant to continue in the coaching ranks, joining Tyler Keever (Colgate) and Michael Tanke (Dayton). His final day at IUPUI is expected to be June 17.

IUPUI will immediately begin a national search to fill the position.