The Section XI community is mourning the loss of one of the greatest coaches in Long Island high school sports history.
Longtime Brentwood High School boys soccer coach Ron Eden passed away at the age of 72, leaving behind a remarkable legacy defined by excellence, leadership and an unwavering commitment to student-athletes.
Eden compiled an extraordinary 484-70-32 record as a head coach, the second-most victories by a Suffolk County head coach in Long Island history, trailing only Mattituck’s Robert Muir. Before taking over Brentwood’s program, he also served as an assistant coach for 16 seasons, helping the Indians post a 182-83-23 record.
Even in his final season on the sidelines, Eden continued to demonstrate the standard he established over nearly three decades. Brentwood finished the 2025-26 season with a 17-1-1 record and advanced to the Suffolk County championship game.
Eden became Brentwood’s head coach in 1996 and transformed the program into one of New York State’s premier public school soccer powers. Under his leadership, Brentwood captured 17 league championships, 11 Suffolk County titles, 10 Long Island championships and four New York State championships in 2008, 2010, 2019 and 2023. His teams also reached three additional state championship matches.
His crowning achievement came during the 2023 season when Brentwood completed a perfect 22-0 campaign and captured the New York State championship. That historic season earned Eden recognition as the United Soccer Coaches National High School Coach of the Year, one of the sport’s highest honors.
He was also selected as the New York State Coach of the Year in 2005, 2013 and 2023, further cementing his reputation as one of the nation’s elite high school coaches.
Beyond his accomplishments on the field, Eden was respected throughout the soccer community for his dedication to his players, his professionalism and the lasting impact he made on generations of young men. His influence extended far beyond wins and championships, helping shape the lives of countless student-athletes who wore the Brentwood uniform.
In recognition of his outstanding career and contributions to sports on Long Island, Eden was inducted into the Suffolk County Sports Hall of Fame in 2020.
Before embarking on his legendary coaching career, Eden played professionally from 1976 through 1981 with the New York Apollo and New York United of the American Soccer League.
Section XI joins the Brentwood School District, the Long Island soccer community, former players, colleagues, friends and family in mourning the loss of a coaching icon whose impact will be felt for generations.
His legacy will forever live on through the championship tradition he built, the lives he influenced and the standard of excellence he established on and off the soccer field.