EHS' Patrick Birns Named Parkland Varsity Soccer Coach

The Parkland School Board named Patrick Birns, a health and physical education teacher in the East Penn School District, as its head varsity soccer coach Tuesday night.

Birns takes the helm from local coaching icon Chris Bleam, who amassed more than 520 victories in 22 years prowling the sidelines. Bleam stepped down from the position last December.

Birns served as an assistant to head coach John Cari at Emmaus High School, where he helped guide the Hornets to the 2010 Lehigh Valley Conference championship.

Birns, according to his bio on the Emmaus High School soccer website, joined the Hornets staff in 2009 after spending nine years as the head man at Delaware Valley High School in Milford. Birns recorded 100 victories and led Delaware Valley to a District 2 3A title in 2005.

Birns was not immediately available for comment Wednesday morning.

Birns' portfolio of training and coaching experience, according to a Parkland School District release, is extensive.

Birns has trained or coached teams for the Lehigh Valley United Soccer Club, Parkland Area Soccer Club, Western Lehigh United Soccer Club, Lower Macungie Youth Association girls U-14 team and was an evaluator for selection of the Pocono Snow National Premier Soccer League team.  

“Patrick is personable, articulate, and well-versed in his sport.  It is our belief that Patrick Birns will work to continue Parkland’s tradition of success on the soccer field while helping our players become successful in both their athletic and life endeavors,” said Parkland Athletic Director Jeffrey Geisel in the school district's release.