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As the Quinnipiac men’s soccer team gets ready to face the uncertainty of its upcoming season, the program will have to do so without one of its most valued members.

Graciano Brito’s eight-year tenure as the Bobcats’ assistant coach came to an end on Wednesday as Siena College Vice President and Director of Athletics John D’Argenio announced Brito as the eighth head coach in Siena men’s soccer history. Brito takes over for Cesar Markovic who had coached the Saints for the past seven seasons and retired in May.

“I am excited and honored to become a part of the Siena Athletics program,” Brito said in a statement released by the Saints.

“I would like to thank John D’Argenio for giving me this opportunity, and I would also like to thank (Quinnipiac Director of Athletics) Greg Amodio and (Quinnipiac Senior Associate Athletic Director) Bill Mecca for their help and support throughout this process. I would also like to especially thank my mentor and friend Eric Da Costa for 12 amazing years at Quinnipiac.”

In his eight years under head coach Eric DaCosta, Brito helped the Bobcats to a 71-53-29 overall record and an impressive 52-16-12 record in conference play. In those years, Quinnipiac enjoyed its five winningest seasons, qualified for the playoffs each year, and won the MAAC in 2013, making the NCAA Tournament for the first time as part of the conference.

As a player, Brito is arguably the best to ever wear the navy and gold. A three-time captain and two-time All-American, he owns the program’s Division I records in both goals (40) and points (92) and was twice named the Northeast Conference Player of the Year (2007, 2008).

Getting the Saints to the playoffs for the first time since 2016 won’t be the first challenge Brito has faced in his long career, though he will be inheriting a Siena team that has had plenty of recent struggles. Last year, the Saints posted a 5-12-1 record and have won just eight conference games over the last three seasons.

Brito leaves behind fellow assistant Matt Jones as DaCosta will now look to add to his coaching staff prior to the start of the fall season.