OKLAHOMA CITY – For 13 years, Zach Bice has been an integral part of the Mid-America Christian University athletic staff. He started out as the men's soccer head coach, and he quickly added on the duties of the head coach for the women's program as well. Bice oversaw the transition from being a non-scholarship program in Division II of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) to a competitive team within the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) in the Sooner Athletic Conference.
On Wednesday, Bice announced he is stepping down as the co-head coach of MACU's soccer programs in order to pursue an opportunity to be the Athletic Director at Westmoore High School.
"It's impossible for me to thank Zach enough for his loyalty, friendship and mentorship," said Athletic Director Marcus Moeller. "I also want to thank Lori, Kenzie, and Brantley for sharing him with us all these years. Their family has been an integral part of our athletic department for 13 years, and we will miss them greatly."
"I'm so thankful for how Zach has approached his time here at MACU. He has been an incredible Godly mentor to so many young people who've walked through our doors and really set the tone of who we are as an athletic department."
Bice took the reins of the men's soccer program and launched the women's soccer program in 2006. The men's team he inherited had combined for a record of 18-30 in the three years prior to his taking over, and in the first four years, Bice led a turnaround that saw MACU post a record setting 11-win season in 2009. As the Evangels transitioned into the difficult grind of the SAC, the records stagnated for a while, but in his last two seasons on the men's side, MACU posted a record of 26-13-4 and claimed the program's first ever SAC championship with a win in a penalty kick shootout at the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma – the second year in a row the Evangels ended the season of the Drovers on PKs.
On the women's side, things were even better. After a rough inaugural season in 2006, Bice immediately piloted the women's team to a 12-9 record in year two. MACU won at least 10 matches in a season seven times, and the Evangels were at or above the .500 mark eight times.
The Evangels made a combined seven national tournament appearances under Bice. The women's team went to the NCCAA Division I National Championship in 2014, 2015, and 2017, and the MACU men joined them in the NCCAA D-I Championship in 2014 and 2017, and they made their own trip in 2009. In 2018, Bice and the MACU men made history, becoming only the second MACU program to qualify for an NAIA National Championship when they advanced to the round of 16 with the SAC tournament win over USAO and an Opening round victory against Kansas Wesleyan University on the road.
"God has been so faithful and so good to my family," Bice stated. "It is hard to express in words what MACU has meant and will continue to mean to me. It has been an incredible honor to serve alongside and under great leadership and friends. I have a deep affection for MACU and the players that have been so kind to let me coach them. I will deeply miss serving here but I am looking forward to where God is leading."
Bice leaves his mark on the program, however, in more ways than just in the record book. In 2010, Bice helped advocate for the promotion of then-assistant coach Evan Dresel to a co-head coach spot, and the two have spent the last nine seasons in that arrangement.
"It's hard to put into words the magnitude of Coach Bice's influence over the years, not only with our players but with me as well," Dresel remarked. "It's not often you work with someone who ends up becoming one of your closest friends. Though Zach will be missed at MACU we will do our best to carry on his legacy here and to continue growing the programs in the same way we always have. I just want to thank Zach for everything he has done for me and these programs and wish him good luck in this new chapter of his life."
In 2015, Bice received a promotion within the Athletic Department at MACU, when he picked up the title of Assistant Athletic Director. He proved an integral part of the department's leadership structure over the four years during which he held that title, and in conjunction with the two Athletic Directors under whom he served, Bice has helped elevate the athletic program as a whole.
Moeller continued, "I'm so excited for Zach and his new role. He will be an incredible Athletic Director. This is the perfect "next step" in his career. Congratulations to the Moore school district and Westmoore High School on an incredible hire. Your coaching staff and student athletes will benefit greatly from their relationship with Zach!"
Bice has certainly made an impact in his time at MACU. But he is also quick to place the credit for his success where it belongs, at the feet of the Master.
"As for building programs," Bice concluded, "I am humbled and grateful to play the role that I was able to play. God has been good to bless the MACU soccer program."
