Men’s Soccer Legend Set To Join Coaching Staff
7/31/2026 2:26:00 PM | Men's Soccer
MACON – A household name to the Mercer faithful, men's soccer legend Dylan Gaither will rejoin the program as an assistant coach ahead of the upcoming season, head coach Brad Ruzzo announced on Friday afternoon.
Gaither, one of the most decorated players in Mercer men's soccer history, spent last season as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Oglethorpe after beginning his coaching career as an assistant at Mercer in 2024.
In his first season with the Stormy Petrels, Gaither coached his squad to a 6-9-2 record (2-4-1 SAA), including a 1-1 draw with then No. 4 Washington and Lee. Under Gaither's tutelage, freshman goalkeeper Sebastian Lewis received All-Southern Atlantic Association Second Team honors while three of his teammates became All-SAA honorable mentions. Owen Vanmarter tallied four goals and six assists while leading the SAA with 1.56 goals per match.
The Bears went 6-5-7 (1-2-2 SoCon) in 2024 with Gaither on staff. Mercer competed against three nationally ranked opponents, highlighted by a road trip to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where the Bears shut out the Tarheels and split the result with then No. 3 North Carolina. As a team, Mercer found the back of the net 23 times, fired 85 shots on target, tallied 74 points and maintained eight shutouts throughout the season.
During Gaither's playing career, he made 81 appearances with 75 starts and tallied 82 career points on 30 goals and 22 assists. A native of Lilburn, Georgia, Gaither spent five seasons with Mercer and was a two-time All-SoCon First Teamer. Gaither and the Bears lifted three conference championships and made the NCAA tournament in three of his five years with the program.
Gaither and the Bears begin the 2026 season with an exhibition at Winthrop in Rock Hill, South Carolina, on August 8. After three exhibitions, Mercer opens its regular season at Betts Stadium on August 20 against FAU. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Admission for all home preseason and regular season matches is free.
Gaither, one of the most decorated players in Mercer men's soccer history, spent last season as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Oglethorpe after beginning his coaching career as an assistant at Mercer in 2024.
In his first season with the Stormy Petrels, Gaither coached his squad to a 6-9-2 record (2-4-1 SAA), including a 1-1 draw with then No. 4 Washington and Lee. Under Gaither's tutelage, freshman goalkeeper Sebastian Lewis received All-Southern Atlantic Association Second Team honors while three of his teammates became All-SAA honorable mentions. Owen Vanmarter tallied four goals and six assists while leading the SAA with 1.56 goals per match.
The Bears went 6-5-7 (1-2-2 SoCon) in 2024 with Gaither on staff. Mercer competed against three nationally ranked opponents, highlighted by a road trip to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where the Bears shut out the Tarheels and split the result with then No. 3 North Carolina. As a team, Mercer found the back of the net 23 times, fired 85 shots on target, tallied 74 points and maintained eight shutouts throughout the season.
During Gaither's playing career, he made 81 appearances with 75 starts and tallied 82 career points on 30 goals and 22 assists. A native of Lilburn, Georgia, Gaither spent five seasons with Mercer and was a two-time All-SoCon First Teamer. Gaither and the Bears lifted three conference championships and made the NCAA tournament in three of his five years with the program.
Gaither and the Bears begin the 2026 season with an exhibition at Winthrop in Rock Hill, South Carolina, on August 8. After three exhibitions, Mercer opens its regular season at Betts Stadium on August 20 against FAU. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Admission for all home preseason and regular season matches is free.
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