Arguably Peninsula College’s most successful head coach is stepping down from his position as the college’s Director of Soccer and men’s team head coach.

Andrew Chapman and the school announced this week he will be on a one-year leave of absence to pursue a professional development opportunity at Custom College Recruiting in Elizabethtown, Ky.

Chapman amassed a record of 137 wins, 66 losses and 33 ties in his 11 years of coaching at Peninsula. He is 61-2-4 in his last three years. The soccer trophy case includes six West Division championships and three NWAC titles.

Peninsula has named Kanyon Anderson to serve as head coach for both teams this fall, said Director of Athletics Rick Ross.

Chapman begins his new job in August. He sent a message to his players late last week.

“Even though I will not physically be here I will be watching and helping as always,” Chapman said. “Peninsula College has asked Kanyon Anderson, our women’s coach and longtime assistant men’s coach, to fill the role as head men’s coach. For those of you who have had the chance to interact with coach Anderson, you know he is a standup guy who works hard and will help you any way he can.  He is a great coach who will push you and continue the success we have created here at P.C.”

Anderson started his career as an assistant men’s coach in 2005 and was named women’s head coach in 2010.

“I will miss coaching with Andrew but mostly I am happy for him,” Anderson said. “He has done incredible things with the program and now he has a chance to try something new. It sounds like it will be good for him and his family.”

Anderson said he has been on the phone with Chapman’s incoming freshmen to roll out a plan for the 2014 season.

Ross added, “Andrew has been such a big part of our soccer program’s success, I can’t imagine looking across the pitch and not seeing him. This is a great opportunity for his professional development. We wish him well.”

“He is an outstanding coach and an outstanding recruiter, so it makes perfect sense to me that a recruiting agency might be knocking on his door,” Ross said. “Thankfully, we’re blessed to have two outstanding head coaches, and some pretty outstanding assistants, so our players are in good hands.”

The Pirate men and women open their 2014 season at the NWAC Friendlies at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila on Aug. 26-27.