Brian Pensky has built a dynasty with Florida State soccer.
And he has no intention of slowing down.
At FSU, winning isn’t just desired – it’s mandatory for the program. Success isn’t defined by rankings; it’s measured by trophies, and that’s something Pensky has never shied away from.
He’s 70-7-12 in four seasons leading the program, and has the only undefeated season in school history. With two national titles and three ACC tournament championships alongside a pair of regular-season conference titles to his name, Pensky has built and shaped the dynasty in his image.
“Surreal. Means everything. The standard here is high, it’s difficult, it’s challenging, but it’s also what brings out the best in us,” Pensky said Tuesday Dec. 9 after the Seminoles’ national title celebration. FSU arrived home triumphant earlier in the day after it beat Stanford 1-0 in the NCAA Tournament title match Monday night in Kansas City.
“Anything short of meeting the standard, you genuinely feel like you’re not measuring up and you’re not living up,” he added.
“One is one, two is a little sweeter.”
If two is sweeter, imagine what a third will taste like. If Pensky has his way, it won’t take long to find out.
Surrounded by fanfare and celebration from the fans who greeted the Seminoles back from Kansas City to watch the ceremonial lighting of the spear at the fabled Unconquered Statute, did Pensky allow himself to take a step back and appreciate what he’s built in Tallahassee?
“Absolutely not,” Pensky said with a sly smile.
“I’ve got a recruit that lands at 10:07 tonight, and four more coming in later this week. I’m already worried about next year.”
No rest for the winner, it seems.
But it’s that mentality that helped Pensky not just take over a dynasty left by the legendary FSU coach Mark Krikorian, but elevate the program and create his own.
Few coaches in America were willing to walk into the Seminole Soccer Complex following Krikorian’s stunning departure from FSU. Pensky, however, wasn’t just willing to walk in after Krikorian; he was ready to run with the foundation he left for the program’s success.
While the 2023 title win let Pesnky emerge from the long shadow cast by FSU’s past success, this season’s championship solidified his spot on top of the college soccer world.
Pensky rallied this year’s Seminole team from a three-game winless stretch in October that put the team on the fringes of missing the ACC tournament into a 6-0 run in the NCAA tournament.
“We knew after that tough stretch of games, we needed to fix things, and then we also needed to stay together as a group,” midfielder Taylor Suarez said. “Brian was the first one to help lead that, and then us players followed along right behind him. He’s been amazing, he’s a wonderful coach, and I’m blessed to play under him.”
His efforts led to the Seminoles’ 1-0 national championship win over Stanford on Monday, thanks to one of the best goalkeeping performances in College Cup history from freshman Kate Ockene, who made nine saves. Her heroics allowed sophomore Wrianna Hudson time to find an 87-minute winner at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.
The win solidified Pensky’s dynastic resume, one that could earn him the title of best coach in the country. Ever the selfless character, Pensky would never agree with that distinction.
But the players who come from across the country, and even the world, to play for him are never shy in singing his praises, and more importantly, his hunger for success.
“Their whole idea is just winning,” Hudson, a Rochester, New York native, said of Pensky and his staff’s identity. “I really wanted to be part of that culture. I knew that if I came here, I could win a national championship.”
And win they did.
While the fire atop the Unconquered Statue spear burns bright in celebration of the Seminoles’ victory, the competitive fire in Pensky has evolved into a blaze, and he’s already got his heart set on competing for the program’s sixth national title.
“It is alive and well,” Pensky said about his continued desire to win.
“We’ll be back next year.”
Liam Rooney covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: The making of a dynasty: Pensky’s FSU soccer program redefines greatness
Reporting by Liam Rooney, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
