Coaches

Bruce Deaton

Ext. 7351


Bruce Deaton (Coach Bruce) is entering his sixth season at Evangel University and his first as Associate Director of Athletics for Internal Operations; he joined Evangel as director of soccer operations and head women’s coach in April 2015 to lead the launch of the two new soccer programs at Evangel. Both teams began to play in the fall of 2015.


This past year, the women’s team had its best season to date in the short existence of the program. On the field the team showed improvement in all statistical categories including goals scored, goals allowed, overall and conference wins, while compiling a record of 11-6-2 (7-2-2 in conference). The women's soccer team made its first-ever appearance in the post-season and made it to the tournament semi-finals. During the final two weeks of the regular season, the team also began receiving votes in the NAIA top 25 coaches poll.


Four players received all-conference recognition in 2019, including three first-team awards, as well as a third-team honor. Additionally, one player was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Region Team while another was named to the USC All-Region Academic Team. His team completed the academic year with a team GPA of 3.55, garnering their fourth-straight team academic award from both the NAIA and the United Soccer Coaches. Additionally, the ladies were recognized with the Team Ethics and Sportsmanship Award from the United Soccer Coaches for exhibiting fair play, sporting behavior, and adherence to the laws of the game.


Deaton is involved in the local soccer community as youth academy director with the Southwest Missouri Rush soccer club in Springfield. Prior to coming to Springfield, while Deaton spent more than a decade in central Louisiana, where he served as director of coaching and player development for the Crossroads Soccer Association. He also spent 10 years as an Olympic Development Program (ODP) head coach for the Louisiana Soccer Association, in addition to his duties as a coaching instructor.


While in Louisiana, Deaton spent five years as head women's soccer coach at Louisiana College (NCAA D-III), in addition to filling the post of associate athletic director. Prior to taking over at Louisiana College, Deaton enjoyed a successful stint as a high school coach at Ouachita Christian School in Monroe, La. During his eight seasons as both boys and girls coach at OCS, Deaton was twice named the state high school girls coach of the year for Louisiana (2009 and 2010).


Deaton holds a USSF (United States Soccer Federation) National “B” License and National Youth License, as well as the United Soccer Coaches Premier Diploma and Level III Goalkeeping Diploma.


Deaton played collegiate soccer at Marshall University (NCAA D-I) in Huntington, W.Va., where he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration. He and his wife, Margaret (who also works at Evangel University) have been married for 35 years and have two grown children, Tessa and Tucker.