Brentwood soccer's Mike Purcell retires after 22 seasons, 5 TSSAA state championships

After more than 40 years as a soccer coach, and 22 years with Brentwood High, Mike Purcell has retired from his position, Williamson County Public Schools district athletic director Darrin Joines confirmed to The Tennessean.

The five-time TSSAA state champion coach and recipient of The Tennessean's Fred Russell Lifetime Achievement Award this year is stepping away from the game as he continues to deal with the effects of recovering from cancer.

Purcell, 73, was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma in March of 2023. After months of radiation treatment, his cancer went into remission last summer but he's been susceptible to illness. He had a bout with pneumonia over a month ago. He missed about a dozen games this past season as Brentwood finished the season 14-2-2 and advanced to the Class AAA sectional.

Brentwood co-head coach Eric Bowen has handled most in-game coaching duties for the past several years after Purcell elevated him from an assistant. Bowen, who played for Purcell at Brentwood, said he plans to apply for the head coaching position.

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"Getting to witness Coach Purcell’s career is truly special and something I’ll continue to tell stories about forever," Bowen said. "As far as Brentwood soccer goes, he’s the cornerstone. He’s the foundation. Anything that comes after is because of him."

Purcell collected 364 wins, more than a dozen district and region championships combined and five state titles with the boys program in 22 seasons. He won back-to-back state crowns in 2022 and 2023. That 2003 team finished 25-0 and ranked No. 1, nationally, by MaxPreps. His 2008 state champs finished 24-0 and held a national ranking as well.

His coaching career began in 1977 at the middle school level, and by 1990 he was coaching at Benton Hall Academy, a private school for students with learning difficulties. After eight seasons at Benton, Purcell took a teaching position at Brentwood and in his second year he became the school's assistant boys and girls soccer coach. He took over both programs in 2002.

He spent eight seasons as coach of the girls program (2002-2009). His 2008 Lady Bruins finished as state runner-up.

Reach sports writer George Robinson at georgerobinsontheleafchronicle.com and on the X platform (formerly Twitter) @Cville_Sports.