TOLEDO, Ohio – Toledo women's soccer head coach Mark Batman announced on Wednesday that Cliff Brandmier will join the Rockets as an assistant coach, filling the final position on his staff. Brandmier comes to Toledo after holding the position of assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Detroit Mercy since 2019. 

"Cliff brings a wealth of experience that is needed for our staff," said Batman. "He has a great energy about him that is infectious. His knowledge of the game, his connections throughout Michigan and in youth soccer will prove to be extremely valuable. He really compliments our staff and we are all excited for him to join our soccer family."

"I am excited to be a part of the future of women's soccer at the University of Toledo," said Brandmier. "I would like to thank Coach Batman for his belief in me and what I can bring to the program. I believe in the vision that Coach Batman and Coach (Sam) Tionsong have put forth for the program and believe it is headed in a very positive direction. Coach Batman has a fantastic track record for running a successful program, and I am excited to learn and grow as a coach under his lead.  I look forward to being a coach at the University of Toledo and becoming embedded in the Rocket family and community. I want to thank my wife Ashley, friends and family for all the love and support on this new life adventure. I am excited to be on campus and for the opportunity to work with such incredible coaches, players, administrators and student athletes."

Brandmier's coaching career began at Big Rapids High School in 2006 as an assistant girls' soccer coach under head coach Justin Fox. He then became the varsity head coach for the boys' and girls' soccer teams at Berkley High School from 2006-11 and again from 2017-19. Under his direction, the girls' team won their first district championships in school history in 2010. Alongside coaching at Berkley, Brandmier took a job at Force Football Club in Bloomfield, Mich. as the boy's and girls' soccer head coach from 2009-13, leading the U19 Girls to a State Cup Championship in 2011. He also had a stint at Rochester High School as the girls' soccer varsity head coach from 2012-13.

Brandmier broke into the collegiate level as the assistant coach at Western Michigan University from 2013-16, where he helped with recruiting, coordinated camps, and planned training sessions. While Brandmier was on staff, the Broncos made appearances in three MAC Conference Tournament Championship finals, winning the title in 2013 and 2015, qualifying for the NCAA Tournament in both seasons.

Brandmier was he technical director of Trebol Soccer Club from 2016-17 before becoming the U11-U19 Field ECNL-RL technical director and tournament director at Liverpool FC of Michigan International Academy in Pontiac, Mich. a position he has held since 2017.

Brandmier was named an assistant coach at Detroit Mercy in 2019. He oversaw training sessions and academic progress of the student-athletes, and was responsible for recruiting in the Midwest and Canada.

Brandmier played for the men's soccer program at Ferris State University for four years and was team captain in 2003 and 2004.

Brandmier earned his A.A.S. in Restaurant and Food Industry Management from Ferris State University in 2005, and his bachelor's in general studies with a concentration in sports management from Southern New Hampshire University in 2015. He earned his National "D" License in 2010 and NSSF National "C" License in 2013 from the United States Soccer Federation.