Middleton, Fla. – The Villages High School athletics department announced a coaching change for its girls soccer program Monday in Middleton.
Brian Rausch, who served as head coach of the Buffalo girls soccer program for each of the past five seasons, announced his intentions to step aside for personal reasons – effective immediately.
In five years as head coach, Rausch led VHS to an overall record of 50-24-6. The 50 wins are good for second most all-time in program history, trailing only Rausch's predecessor, Madison Taylor.
"It's been such a good time and it's honestly really hard to step away from it," Rausch said. "But at some point in your life, you've got to step aside and do some other things. I still plan to be around and help out the program however I can, but it's time to let someone else take over."
VHS athletic director
Richard Pettus praised Rausch for not only his success on the field, but also his leadership and development of a championship-level program.
"Coach Rausch has done an outstanding job these past five years leading our girls soccer program," Pettus said. "We appreciate all of his efforts and he's truly been a great representation of our athletic department during his entire time with us."
Over the past five seasons, Rausch led the Buffalo to three district championships (2022, 2023, 2024) and appeared in the FHSAA postseason field all five times. VHS also won a playoff game and advanced to the regional semifinals in both 2022 and 2023, respectively.
"I took over a really strong program from Madison (Taylor) that was in really good shape," Rausch said. "Over time being able to see a lot of our girls grow up and play well for us, then move on and do some good things, that's something that's really special to me. Those memories and the support I've received from our administration and everyone involved, it just made for a really good thing for me."
Rausch was named VHS girls soccer head coach prior to the 2021-22 campaign, after serving a handful of years as an assistant coach for the Buffalo boys soccer program. In that time, Rausch was able to coach his son, Payton, before transitioning to lead the girls' program and serve as head coach of his daughter, Anna.
"That was something that really meant a lot and was really important to me," Rausch said of coaching his children. "I couldn't have asked for better support from Coach (Richard) Pettus and Dr. (Randy) McDaniel throughout my entire time. Anything we ever needed, we got it. The support that the school gave me as a coach was just amazing."
Cody Hills can be reached for questions or comment at cody.hills@tvcs.org or by calling (352) 259-6890.
