Max Berner-Hays is in his second season as an assistant coach with Willamette men's soccer team in the fall of 2023. He played soccer for the Bearcats in 2017, 2018, 2019, and the fall of 2021.

A defender for the Bearcats, Berner-Hays was named All-Region X for NCAA Division III in the fall of 2021. He was selected First Team All-Northwest Conference in 2017, 2018, and 2019, and was chosen Second Team All-NWC in 2021. In addition, he was named NWC Men's Soccer Freshman of the Year in 2017 and NWC Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Year in 2018.

During his Willamette career, he played in 71 games, all starts for the Bearcats. He scored 20 goals and provided nine assists for 49 total points. He scored nine game-winning goals. On defense, he helped Willamette registered 28 shutouts, including nine in 2019. He helped the Bearcats tie for the NWC Championship in 2019, when the team qualified for the NCAA Division III Tournament.

Berner-Hays earned his bachelor's degree in Psychology and Mathematics from Willamette in December of 2021. This spring and summer he played professional soccer after signing with MSV Pampow in the NOFV Oberliga North league in Germany. He competed in 16 games -- all starts -- and scored one goal in addition to his solid efforts on defense.