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Leo Chappel, who was Tim Vom Steeg's top assistant for five years during the period when the men's soccer program emerged as a national contender, returned as an assistant coach in March. Chappel spent the last three years as head coach at Columbia University.
In his previous tenure at UCSB, Chappel helped the program to a 79-21-6 (.774) overall record and three Big West titles, earning him recognition as one of the top assistant coaches in the nation from College Soccer News for five years running.
Following the Gauchos' run to the NCAA Finals in 2004, he was honored as Regional Assistant Coach of the Year by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). Representing the West Region, Chappel was one of six finalists from the junior college to the Division I level to be eligible for National Assistant Coach of the Year.
Chappel was instrumental in guiding the Santa Barbara's program to elite level at which it now stands on the national scene. In his five seasons with the Gauchos, they made four consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament and took on Indiana in the national title game in 2004.
Known for his ability to motivate and condition the team, Chappel preaches that the Gauchos are the fittest team in the nation, and the critics agree. In April of 2005, he was published in Training & Conditioning magazine with an article on soccer specific training.
Chappel originally came to UCSB after spending three seasons as an assistant coach at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte. While with the 49ers, Chappel's duties included everything from training and scheduling, to recruiting. His efforts were instrumental in helping UNCC to a national ranking.
Prior to his time at North Carolina, Chappel coached for two seasons at Ohio Wesleyan, helping guide the Battling Bishops to a Division III National Championship in 1997. In addition to his regular coaching duties at Ohio Wesleyan, he organized Team OWU, a fundraising group dedicated exclusively to the program. In addition, Chappel spent one season as an assistant at Wake Forest.
Chappel, who graduated from Ohio Wesleyan with a bachelor's in physical education, holds a NSCAA Premier License.
