has been part of the coaching staff since 2021
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Director of Athletics Jamie Joss has announced that the Florida Tech men’s soccer program has had a change at the helm. Head coach Robin Chan and Associate Head Coach Nick Robinson will switch roles within the program.
“We extend our deepest gratitude to Robin Chan for his exemplary leadership during his 19-year tenure as head coach,” said Joss. “A Florida Tech and Sunshine State Conference Hall of Fame scholar-athlete and key member of the 1988 national championship team, Chan’s legacy is etched in the annals of our program.
“As he transitions to the role of Associate Head Coach, we eagerly anticipate his continued contributions, with his tactical acumen, mentorship, and dedication, will undoubtedly enrich the growth of our scholar-athletes and coaching staff alike. Moreover, we are elated with the prospect of Coach Chan being able to spend more quality time with his family as he continues to inspire and guide us all.”
Chan guided the Panthers to a commendable record of 147-114-36 over 19 seasons. Under his leadership, the team secured four NCAA tournament appearances, highlighted by a remarkable Final Four run in 2023. Additionally, Chan earned recognition with three Sunshine State Conference Coach of the Year awards and two USC Coaching Staff of the Year accolades.
Chan, a former Florida Tech scholar-athlete, was a forward for the Panthers in 1988 when Tech captured the first of its two NCAA Division II National Championships.
“I’d like to express my heartfelt gratitude and congratulations to Nick as we transition our roles within our program,” said Chan.
“This next step in Nick’s career is something we have been working towards, and the timing feels right for us both. This is a natural progression for Nick, and I’m thrilled he is making that step in our family. I look forward to standing by Nick’s side and supporting him in any way I can as he leads us into the future.”
Associate Head Coach Nick Robinson will take over as the next Head Coach of the men’s soccer program.
Robinson has been instrumental in the Panthers’ achievements since becoming a part of the coaching staff as an assistant coach in 2021. His contributions led to a promotion to Associate Head Coach in December 2022.
“Nick Robinson’s promotion to Head Coach heralds a new era of promise for our men’s soccer program,” said Joss. “Recognized as one of the brightest coaching talents in the SSC and Division II, Nick’s impact extends far beyond the field.
“His innate ability to connect with scholar-athletes, coupled with his relentless recruiting efforts, has played a pivotal role in the program’s ascent. As a Florida Tech men’s soccer graduate, Nick not only prioritizes on-field success but also aligns recruits with our esteemed academic programs and Scholar-Champions-Leaders ethos.”
During Robinson’s time, the Panthers have achieved a notable 28-12-13 record and saw much success in postseason. Highlights include a Final Four appearance and Super Region II Championship in 2023, an undefeated regular season in 2022, along with the program’s first-ever Sunshine State Conference Tournament Championship and a Sweet 16 appearance.
“I’m very grateful to Jamie Joss and Robin Chan for entrusting me with the leadership of the men’s soccer program,” said Robinson.
“I’m incredibly eager to continue upholding the exceptional standards we’ve set and to push the program to new levels, both in our performance and our impact beyond the field. I’m also thrilled to continue fostering the strong alumni relationships that have already been forged and strengthen our foundation even further.”
In 2023, Robinson contributed to the development of the program’s first-ever National Player of the Year, junior defenseman Sjur Drechsler.
Additionally, following the historic season, three Panthers received USC All-American honors, while five were selected for USC and four for D2CCA All-South Region distinctions. Moreover, six Panthers were recognized as All-SSC honorees.
In his first two seasons, the Panthers garnered five All-SSC selections, notably including goalkeeper Luis Tovar Romero, Sr., who earned the Defensive Player of the Year accolade. The team achieved 12 All-South Region selections among various organizations and two First Team All-American distinctions.
Academically, Robinson assisted in guiding three players to earn the prestigious distinction of academic All-American, alongside seven selections for academic all-district honors.
Robinson and the Florida Tech Men’s Soccer Coaching Staff were honored as the USC Division II South Region Coaching Staff of the Year for both 2022 and 2023, and they received SSC Coaching Staff of the Year in 2022.
A former star for the Panther men’s soccer team from 2009-2011 and graduate assistant coach from 2012-2014, Robinson returned to Florida Tech after spending four seasons as assistant coach of the Eastern Florida State College men’s soccer team from 2016-2020.
Eastern Florida State experienced much success during Robinson’s tenure as an assistant coach, as he helped guide the Titans men’s soccer program to an overall record of 55-14-7. Robinson and Titans head coach Oliver Twelvetrees were named the United Soccer Coaches Association Junior College Division I South Region Staff of the Year in 2019 after leading the Titans to a program-record 16 victories during the 2019 season, including a trip to the 2019 NJCAA National Championship Game. EFSC also made an NJCAA Final Four appearance in 2018.
The Titans won three straight Region 8 (Florida) Championships, appeared in four straight District/Regional Final Championship games, and finished in the top 10 in the end-of-season NJCAA national rankings in all four seasons. Additionally, EFSC had its first National Scholar-Athlete of the Year in the 2019 season to go along with four NJCAA All-Americans.
Robinson, a native of Victoria, Australia, had a stellar career for Florida Tech during his three seasons on the roster. He was named to the NSCAA All-South Region team in his senior season in 2011 and garnered SSC All-Conference team honors for two of his three seasons as a Panther.
After graduating from undergrad, he became a graduate assistant coach for the Panthers from 2012-2014, working alongside Chan while completing his master’s degree. Florida Tech posted a 15-14-4 record during his two seasons on the sidelines.
Before transferring to Florida Tech, Robinson played the 2008 season at Lees-McRae College and helped the Bobcats go undefeated in conference play throughout the season. Lees-McRae claimed both the Conference Carolina’s regular season and tournament championship that season and went on to the NCAA Sweet 16. Robinson earned All-Conference Carolina’s team honors in 2008.
Robinson earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Florida Tech in 2012 and his Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Florida Tech in 2013.
Robinson currently holds his NSCAA National Diploma, NSCAA Advanced National Diploma, USSF C License and is in the process of completing his USSF B License.
Robinson and his wife, Skylar, reside in Melbourne, Florida, with their three children, Mason, Harper-Jean & Tyson.
For the latest news, updates and information on the Florida Tech men’s soccer team, visit FloridaTechSports.com.
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