:: Who should be DC United's next ASSISTANT coach? ::

[Knave]

So we've narrowed down the coaching search to three but we haven’t talked too much about our next assistant coach. My assumption here, and I think it’s a safe one, is that John Trask is on the way out. Maybe the next coach will string him along like Hudson did with Onalfo but sooner or later Trask will be sent packing. So who should be DC United’s next assistant coach? I have no idea myself but here are a few names I’ve seen mentioned on the board.

Mark Simpson - Former DC United player, currently an assistant coach with the Virginia Beach Mariners. He'd make for an assistant coach and a goalkeeping coach in one.

John Harkes - Former DC United captain, currently demonstrating difficulty with the English language on Fox Sports World's MLS Wrap.

Lubos Kubik - Nowak's buddy from Shekagoe. Rumored to be part of the package if Nowak is named head coach.

[Lowecifer]

The head coach should pick the assistants.

[Dave Brother]

I hate to bump heads with you Knave so close to the holidays, but I think John is ....If anyone, the man to stay on for next season. Why you may ask? Well, he took our sorry ass back line from the basement to one of the best in two years. Hmmmmmmmmmmm...... If we give him a couple more years, maybe we will have a line that will rival any in Europe. That's right you heard me......He is the man. Just my opinion.

[Knave]

Dave Brother - You're not really bumping heads with me. Although I'm not a big fan of Trask myself, I can see the argument for keeping him on. However, what I said above is simply what I expect to happen. I anticipate the new coach sooner or later bringing in a new assistant rather than retaining Ray Hudson's assistant. That said, it's not unheard of in MLS to have two assistant coaches. So it's possible for Trask to be retained (as Onalfo) was and for the new coach to bring in a second assistant.

[Dave Brother]

Let me say this, if there is a man out there that can be "like" Johnny Cash, I'll follow him to hell and back.
Since there's not, I'll march to the beat of my own drum and follow Trask's lead.

[DigitalTron]

Originally posted by Lowecifer
The head coach should pick the assistants. I absolutely agree. Hopefully, they pick someone with some head coaching experience at some level, because none of these candidates have that quality.

-Digital

[Sanguine]

Steve Rammel

[Section106]

Our next assistant coach should be- ME, so I can sit on the sidelines for the games!!

Actually, the new head coach should pick the assistants. If Osorio is hired, does anyone have an idea of who he would chose?

[GoDC]

Originally posted by Dave Brother
Let me say this, if there is a man out there that can be "like" Johnny Cash, I'll follow him to hell and back.
Since there's not, I'll march to the beat of my own drum and follow Trask's lead.

Not saying you can't back Trask but I do have to question that he lead us to one of the top. He led us to 8th out of a 10 team league and a quick, horrendous exit from the playoffs.

[Atouk]

Does anyone think the new head coach shouldn't be able to pick his assistant(s)?

Originally posted by GoDC
Not saying you can't back Trask but I do have to question that he lead us to one of the top. He led us to 8th out of a 10 team league and a quick, horrendous exit from the playoffs.
We were 7th, not 8th, but were also just 3 points from being tied for 4th (and just 6 points from 3rd).

[JoeW]

Agreed that the coach should pick the assistants.

I also agree that Trask should go. I think he's a fine coach. But I suspect for all the player admiration of Ray (everyone recognizes how passionate he is for the game and how he bleeds for the team), I think we need a clean break from the past 2 years. Not a carryover in chemistry and baggage.

I do think Trask has done a fine job with the backline. But soccer isn't like American football where you have speciality coaches and they're all off doing their own thing. Part of DCU's defense has been to keep the outside defenders (especially guys like Namoff and/or Prideaux) at home. And that has implications for the attack.

I do like Mark Simpson--class guy with team ties. But I'd also go for David Vanole if he's still available--he's got a great track record and outstanding rep.

I'd pass on John Harkes. Good guy, ties to the team and not afraid to open his mouth. But none of that explains why he should be an assistant (heck--Ivan McKinley or Jaime Moreno would be just as justified using those standards).

--I think Marco might be an assistant of "convenience." It may be a somewhat-classy way for him to end his playing career (rather than have him go to Qatar or be waived). I believe Marco should have ended his career a year ago at least but it would be ugly and a bitter ending to a great career if Marco were simply waived. I don't know if it's a good fit (I think a year's separation would be better) but Marco's rep for working with kids and coaching has always been stellar--Bruce Arena has talked about him as a USMNT assistant.
--Lubos Kubik has been in Chicago recently and evidently been traveling with the Fire for at least the last month or so of the season in a fuzzy role of sorts. But it's possible he's been observing the team and MLS.
--I think Osorio has some good contacts in the USA and MLS and wouldn't be surprised to see him bring in another MLS assistant or former player or even college coach to assist. The one I'd be the most opposed to is the strongest one on paper-OZ (who I think is a whinner and has poor judgement at man management skills--witness his public evaluation of Clint Mathis' need for a shrink as exhibit one).

[GoDC]

Originally posted by Atouk


We were 7th, not 8th, but were also just 3 points from being tied for 4th (and just 6 points from 3rd).

OK, but we still sucked except for about 4 games in August. Our coaching staff was not able to adjsut and get performances when certain players were injured.

[Gary Gnu]

quote:
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Originally posted by Atouk


We were 7th, not 8th, but were also just 3 points from being tied for 4th (and just 6 points from 3rd).
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we were also just one point from missing the playoffs and finishing last in our division.

[owendylan]

I think we here at BigSoccer should be able to pick the assistant coach. It's obvious that the braintrust or a potential coach doesn't know half of what we know. Hell we should be able to pick the coach and the players as well.

Harkes' ego won't let him take anything but a head coaching job.

[sch2383]

I am not a big fan of Etch being an assistant in the next two years. I think it would only create conflict between Marco and the new HC since some players would side with Marco on issues, making it tougher for the new HC to shape the team. But once the HC is established or the roster has changed enough, it would be great to bring in Marco.

Harkes would be interesting, but I doubt it.

What about Goose? I don't think he will play much longer and has a home in the area. Rumor has it he could take an player-assistant job at San Jose, but if he retired, I would like to see him come home.