Brian Lee has decided to step down as the Rice soccer coach at the end of the season. Rice announced the decision earlier today.

This is a very disappointing announcement. Despite this year's record, the team played a number of freshmen and I would assume that one of the freshman will be the American Conference Freshman of the year.

The players really liked the way Brian ran the program and I am sure he will find another head coaching job as soon as he becomes available. That will result in losing some of the current players and since signing day is next week, this year's recruiting class will be jeopardized.

I wish Brian the best. He was such a positive impact on the soccer program and athletic department...really sorry to seem him leave Rice.

I've heard that he did a really good job. I wish him the best.

Is he being forced out? Or is his next gig in the works? Or a personal/illness/family issue?

Honestly doesn’t seem like he’s been here that long.

He did an okay job but never played in the NCAA tournament. The last time Rice played in the NCAA tournament was 2020-2021. Thus, I think it was time for him to go. The new AD will have to select the next coach.

Lee was the coach of that 2020-21 team that made it to the Sweet 16. That might have been his lone NCAA appearance?

I kind of get the sense he’s an old school-type coach and it’s not easy to coach in this day and age of NIL. You have seen other old school coaches retiring at a young age. It might just be that type of a scenario.

Oh okay. Thanks for the correction but one visit to the NCAA tournament in eight years is not good.

(11-04-2026 10:27 PM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  Lee was the coach of that 2020-21 team that made it to the Sweet 16. That might have been his lone NCAA appearance?

I kind of get the sense he’s an old school-type coach and it’s not easy to coach in this day and age of NIL. You have seen other old school coaches retiring at a young age. It might just be that type of a scenario.

I hope he wasn’t forced out. We are in a very difficult conference for making the NCAA tournament (~single bid conference with Memphis in the way). I don’t see how we can expect to get someone better on the coaching market.

An interim AD making this decision is interesting…

Interviews for the new AD purportedly start on Monday...very interesting timing.