For just the third time in program history, FGCU men's soccer is welcoming a brand-new head coach to the Nest. In late December, Florida Gulf Coast Athletic Director Colin Hargis announced the hiring of Oliver Twelvetrees, a native of Swansea, Wales.
"It's fantastic being here on the first day," said FGCU head coach Oliver Twelvetrees. "I worked hard a lot for this moment in my career to be head Division I coach. Just raring to get going."
Twelvetrees brings along years of experience. Most recently, he spent five seasons leading Colorado State University Pueblo. In each of the last three seasons, the Wales-native led the Thunderwolves to the NCAA Division II national semifinals, reaching the national championship in 2023 and 2024. Twelvetrees posted a 74-21-12 record, the fourth best winning percentage among active NCAA Division II coaches. His hard work earned him the title of Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Coach of the Year in 2024.
"Coach of the year awards are nice," he said. "But it's the trophies, it's the moments with the guys. It's the wins. Those are the things that matter to me. Those are things you remember."
Before his tenure at CSU Pueblo, Twelvetrees spent seven years on the east coast of Florida. In 2013, he started the soccer program at Eastern Florida State College in Melbourne.
"I was really excited when the opportunity arose to come back," he said. "We had some great moments and won some trophies and I really enjoyed the people, really enjoyed the culture of Florida."
His EFSC squads racked up conference, region and district champions and finished ranked in the final NJCAA Top 10. The Titans made four national tournament appearances under his helm, and finished second in the nation in 2019 and third in 2015 and 2018.
He has coached at every level, spending seven years at Barton Community College, with an overall record of 124-20-5 (.849). His teams won four conference championships, four Region VI championships, and two district championships.
Twelvetrees started his head collegiate coaching career with the women's soccer team at Wayne State College, where he coached for two seasons. Everywhere he goes, he finds success.
"I think [it's] my passion for the game, my passion for helping these lads get better and passion for helping them really improve that game and go to the next level," said Twelvetrees on why he thinks he is a successful head coach.
One practice is in the books, and with many more to come, he says he's hoping to funnel the energy and positivity in the right direction and rack up wins once the season begins in August.
"I'm incredibly competitive. I want to win everything I do."