LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Tim Chastonay's staunch presence will still be felt in the offices of Bellarmine athletics, just not in the way the university has known for nearly three decades.

A luminary who is the all-time wins leader of both soccer programs at Bellarmine, Chastonay on Tuesday announced that he is retiring as the men's head coach after the 2025 season, ending an illustrious tenure that included one of the most storied years in all of BU athletics history in 2019 along with overseeing a seamless transition to Division I.

While he is set to take his final step away from the field as a head coach, Chastonay will step into a new role at Bellarmine as the athletic department's Senior Associate AD. His 28th season will mark Chastonay's last at the helm of Knights men's soccer.

"When we announced the D1 move," Chastonay said, "I wanted to make sure we were at a competitive level once I decided to retire from college coaching. I really feel now is the time to step away from the field and take on a different role within the department. The program is in a good place. We are very competitive with an outstanding group of veteran players and young players ready to step into greater roles. The staff is young, and they are so ready to take the soccer program to the next level. 

"I am excited to be taking on the new role in the athletic department. Over the past 28 years, I have learned a good deal about running a program, and I believe I can help mentor some of our younger coaches, improve student-athlete experiences and continue the advancement of the department."

Chastonay has shepherded the men's soccer program for all 28 of his years at Bellarmine starting in 1998 while pulling double duty as the women's head coach for 12 seasons from 1998-09. His 238 career wins as the men's head coach and 119 victories as the women's are both program records.

Chastonay, who was an All-GLVC player at Bellarmine and 1993 graduate of the university, had already been leading Knights soccer for a few years when Scott Wiegandt was hired as the head baseball coach in the early 2000s. The pair even shared an office. Wiegandt's tenure as the director of athletics began in 2005, and their partnership is now two decades strong.

"In my time as AD, I can't think of too many coaches who have grown as much personally and professionally as Tim has while running a highly competitive men's soccer program," Wiegandt said. "Thankfully, 'Chas' wants to continue giving back to his alma mater."

The vast majority of Chastonay's tenure came with Bellarmine as a D2 program, where in 22 seasons at that level he compiled a 208-164-41 record while guiding the Knights to 12 Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament appearances in the final 13 years in the league. He produced five D2 All-Americans, was named GLVC Coach of the Year in 2005 and capped the D2 era with three straight 11-plus win seasons.

Chastonay piloted one of the greatest seasons in all of Bellarmine athletics — not just men's soccer — in 2019, the program's last in D2. The Knights went undefeated in the regular season, captured their first-ever GLVC Tournament championship and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA II Tournament while finishing 16-1-5 (10-0-4 in the GLVC) and extending an unbeaten streak that began in 2018 to an astonishing 30 games.

"The 2019 season was very special," Chastonay said. "The loss in (penalty kicks to Maryville) the year before in the GLVC final really motivated the returners to do something no other Bellarmine men's soccer team had accomplished. They created a culture that carried over to our first year in D1 and still exists today."  

Indeed, Bellarmine has earned a berth in the ASUN Tournament in every season in D1, including the securing of the top seed from the North Division in its first year in the league (spring 2021 after the fall 2020 season was delayed due to COVID) and the two-seed in 2023 en route to a finals appearance. Chastonay was named ASUN Coach of the Year in the introductory year.

Rewind to Chastonay's first-ever practice as Bellarmine's women's head coach, when he was greeted by 11 players. Not a single one was a goalkeeper. Dr. Ann Jirkovsky, who was a longtime Faculty Athletics Representative, helped him locate one in a freshman psychology class. By the end of Chastonay's tenure as their head coach, the Knights were an ascending GLVC power, earning the program's first-ever NCAA II Tournament bid in 2009, his final season at the helm.

Before Owsley B. Frazier Stadium was built in 2007, the soccer grounds were simply a grass field with no surrounding fence. With only a few metal bleachers, students would haul couches from the dorms to watch games. Others parked and viewed matches on the adjacent Newburg Road. The teams practiced across the street at Joe Creason Park, and Chastonay would precede training sessions by pouring sand in mole tracks to ensure a safe playing surface.

"Our recent players today have no idea the work and effort it took just to run a practice each day," Chastonay said. "Over my 28 years, I have been able to observe so much change at Bellarmine. One of the biggest changes is just the growth of the athletic department with the expansion of resources for student-athlete wellness, academic support and facilities. The university itself continues to evolve and adapt to the needs of students."

Matt Cannady, Bellarmine's full-time assistant, was also a player for the Knights under Chastonay. The team didn't make the GLVC Tournament in 2006 — his first year with the team — but followed with a 12-win campaign, the first of five double-digit win campaigns over a six-year span.

"To see how far the program has come since then has been incredible," Cannady said. "Tim has been the steady influence throughout it all. And of course, none of this happens without (his wife) Kelli. Her unwavering support, showing up for the team and being a constant presence over the years has made a lasting impact. She's been as much a part of this program's fabric as anyone."

Chastonay and Kelli have two sons, AJ and Ryan, who grew up on Bellarmine soccer.

"College coaching is not a 9-to-5 job. It means long nights, weekends on the road and emotional highs and lows," Chastonay said. "I would like to thank Kelli, AJ and Ryan for supporting me all these years. They stood by me and encouraged me through it all. I could not have done this without their love and support."

Appreciation of the support he's received as a head soccer coach at Bellarmine was a primary theme of Chastonay's reflections on his nearly-three-decade tenure.

"First, I want to thank all the current and former players," he said. "Their hard work, dedication and commitment have built a successful program, and all should be proud. To all current and former assistant coaches, I thank you for the time and effort you gave to make the program better. Also, thank you to all the athletic trainers, academic advisors, operations and administration. Your behind-the-scenes work made everything possible.  

"I do want to thank several other individuals. First, Dr. Fred Rhodes for hiring me 28 years ago. He took a chance on a coach with only high school and club experience. Next, the late Dr. David O'Toole, who was named athletics director following my hiring. He stuck with me through some tough seasons. I need to thank current Director of Athletics Scott Wiegandt. His vision and leadership have been responsible for the growth and success of the entire department. Also, I need to thank former Chief Operating Officer Pam Stackhouse. She always provided support and guidance to me and the student-athletes. Lastly, I want to thank (Bellarmine President) Dr. (Susan M.) Donovan for her unwavering support of our program. She has created an environment at Bellarmine where they can thrive both academically and athletically."  

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