GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The University of Providence athletic department announced that head women's soccer Brian Clarke has resigned. Assistant coach Heather Blandford will be named the interim head coach.

"After thirteen years of servant leadership to the University, it's time to close this chapter and begin a new one," Clarke said. "I would like to thank Dr. Eugene McCallister, Mr. Jim Hall and the Sisters of Providence for taking a chance on a young, young coach way back when. I'm thankful for the opportunity and growth they provided me."

"I'd also like to thank all the players, both current and former, for the opportunity to work with them," Clarke said. "I'll always cherish the memories that we had and hope I was able to give more than they gave me. In addition I also want to thank all of the assistants I have had the privilege to work with and all that they gave."

Clarke became the second coach in program history when he took over the program in the fall of 2008 from Jamie Rizzuto. Clark was instrumental in building the program, leading the team to their first victory over a ranked team and their first playoff victory. He was named the Frontier Conference Coach of the Year in 2014. He has also coached a total of 48 NAIA Scholar All-Americans over his career.

"Brian has been a cornerstone at this University for 13 years," athletic director Doug Hashley said. "He not only has served as the women's soccer coach, but was our SAAC leader and involved in numerous committees. He will be missed in these halls and we wish him well in his future endeavors."

Clarke's assistant for the past two seasons, former Capital High and University of Montana soccer standout Heather Blandford (Olson), will take over as the interim head coach. She has vast coaching experience at a variety of levels – before joining the Argos, she spent seven seasons with Carroll College, two seasons with Manhattanville College and a two-year internship with the University of Nevada. She also has a ton of recruiting connections throughout the state, as she was named the Montana State Youth Soccer Coach of the Year in 2019.

"I am thankful for the opportunity to continue serving the mission of the University of Providence in a new role," Blandford said. "I would like to thank Dave Gantt and Doug Hashley for the chance to continue working with an incredible institution, athletic department, and program."

"I also cannot thank Coach Clarke enough for his endless dedication to the program and institution," she said. "I look forward to following in his footsteps and continuing to build on a program that he has spent the past 13 years creating."

The team will kick off their season with a scrimmage at Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming on August 24. Their first home game will be a non-conference game against Carroll on Sept. 6 at 1:30 p.m.

"We are excited to see directly how Heather weaves her coaching experience into the program," Hashley said. "Having had mountains of success playing in the state combined with coaching experience at a multitude of levels, we feel very confident that our women's soccer program is heading in the right direction."