By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Jared Rust, who has served as assistant head coach of the Willamette University men's soccer team for the past two seasons, has been promoted to head coach, Director of Athletics Rob Passage announced today. Rust was an assistant on Lloyd Fobi's staff on two separate occasions for a total of six years (2011-13 and 2016-18). Fobi has announced that he will be leaving the team on Dec. 31. Rust will begin his new duties on Jan. 2, 2019.

Rust was the head coach of men's soccer at one of his alma maters, Simpson University in Redding, California, in 2014 and 2015. He rejoined the Bearcats as an assistant coach in the spring of 2016.

When he takes on his new job as head coach of the Bearcats in January, Rust will step down from his position as director of coaching for Capital FC Timbers in Salem. He will continue to coach teams within the Capital FC Timbers organization, but will not oversee the CFC coaching staff.

"We are very fortunate to have an outstanding coach like Jared who can step in and keep the momentum going with our men's soccer program," Willamette Director of Athletics Rob Passage said. "I have enjoyed having a chance to watch him coach at several different levels -- here at Willamette, with the Timbers U-23, and teams at Capital FC -- and I am looking forward to having him lead our program."

Rust began his college soccer career as a player at Simpson, where he was a midfielder and forward. He played two years at Simpson before transferring to Corban University for two seasons. After completing his eligibility, Rust became an assistant coach at Corban for one season before joining the Bearcats in 2011. He has earned a bachelor's degree from Corban in Business Management. Rust and his wife, Morgan, live in South Salem. They welcomed their first child, Liam, in July of 2018.

In addition to his Willamette and Capital FC Timbers responsibilities, Rust will continue as an assistant coach for the Portland Timbers U-23 team, which won the USL's Professional Development League (PDL) Northwest Division title in 2017. The Portland Timbers U-23 team also made a playoff run that season.

"It is an honor to be selected to lead the Willamette men's soccer program," Rust said. "I'd like to thank Rob Passage for giving me this opportunity and entrusting me with directing this program moving forward. I also would like to thank Lloyd for bringing me onto his staff almost eight years ago and placing his trust in me to have such an integral role these past years. I have thoroughly enjoyed working and learning from him and would not be in this position today without his guidance, leadership and friendship. I would also like to thank my wife, son and all of my family for supporting me in this opportunity with unwavering encouragement and love. I am excited and look forward to the future challenges and successes."