PUEBLO, Colo. (January 30, 2025) - Following a competitive nationwide search, Vice President for Athletics and Strategic Partnerships, Dr. Paul Plinske has announced that Nick Blackwell will become the new head coach for CSU Pueblo Men's Soccer.

"It is my honor to announce the hiring of Nick Blackwell as our next head men's soccer coach. With the success this program has attained, it seems most logical to keep as many parts of the program intact. However, make no mistake, we did not settle. Nick has been preparing for this opportunity for years and is uniquely positioned to lead our program toward ongoing success, academically, athletically and in our community."

Coach Blackwell has served as the assistant coach for the ThunderWolves for the past five seasons. He, along with former Head Coach Oliver Twelvetrees built the men's soccer team to national recognition and have been a top team in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC).

Blackwell has helped to lead the Pack to three straight NCAA Final Four appearances, including back-to-back national runner-up finishes in 2022 and 2023. The program also won its first regular season RMAC Title in 2024 and the ThunderWolves have won the last two RMAC Tournament Championships.

"First, I want to thank my family for providing me with the support, guidance, and the drive to be in this position. I am incredibly thankful for my support system that I have and would not be in this position without them. I am so grateful for the love and support of my family; our family of Tana and our two daughters; Blakely and Beckham continue to push me every day to be a better dad, partner, coach, and person."

"I'd like to thank President Valdez, Dr. Plinske and the search committee for providing me with the opportunity to interview for the position, be apart of the Pack family, and providing me with the opportunity to be the head of the men's soccer program at CSU Pueblo. This is one of the best men's soccer programs in the country and I am so thankful for this opportunity to lead it. I am so excited to become the next men's head soccer coach at CSU Pueblo. Over the past five seasons we have created so many special moments with our student-athletes and continue to develop not only leaders on the pitch but in life. We have a special culture here that begins with our president and goes down to our student-athletes. As a program we continue to work every single day to compete at the highest level in NCAA DII and earn the right to wear the CSU Pueblo jersey."

"None of this would've been possible without Oliver Twelvetrees. We started this journey in 2020 and cannot thank him enough for everything he's done for me. I am incredibly grateful for everything he's done for me as a coach and person. He is one of my closest friends, mentor, father figure, and brother. He is a top coach but an even better person, I loved every moment I got to share with him and will miss working with the gaffer every day."

Blackwell then added, "The support from alumni, student-athletes, Pueblo community, coaching community, and athletic department has been incredible. I cannot wait to get started and am extremely grateful to be the head coach of this special program. Thank you to everyone that has made this possible, I am beyond blessed and grateful. GO PACK!"

Blackwell has been part of a Regional Coaching Staff of the Year in 2024, has coached nine All-Americans, two RMAC Offensive Players of the Year, four RMAC Defensive Players of the Year, one RMAC Freshman of the Year, and a total of 30 All-RMAC selections, and five CSC Academic All-Americans, and 24 players earned All-Region honors.

Blackwell becomes the fifth Head Men's Soccer Coach at CSU Pueblo and will begin his official Head Coach duties on February 1.