Hey Anson - you've proven you're ability to pull out minutiae, Eddie, well, I guess if you want to be totally accurate, UMBC is in there somewhere . . . on the other hand, it's pretty clearly not something that gets highlighted. Also, it doesn't change the fact that UMBC made no discernible effort to keep her and has been unable to identify folks in their pool who could help that program to the point that you have to think they really don't care (although if you just figure they're just stupid, to be fair they haven't made too many good hires across sports over the past decade in anything - it may not be a "soccer thing").
I'm sure many of us have years, experiences, seasons, we'd rather forget or just wonder how it ever happened. I've met Cromwell but have no idea if she personally states that she regrets those 2 years at UMBC or not. It seems that way but maybe she would not have stayed long anyway, maybe she wanted to leave. Since she's from the DC area, it seemed like a good place to start I imagine. What I do know is plenty of college coaches who would be happy to have 2 10-win seasons in a row and if they did, they are certainly putting it prominently on their resume and website bio. We all know some who would still have their jobs if they could win 10 games a year. Interesting that maybe someone at UCF saw something and was willing to work with her (maybe they didn't care much about WS, I don't know that admin at all). She played pro soccer seasons in DC and CA while coaching in Florida! That's crazy really but UCF benefited in the long run with some very successful seasons (and UMBC was apparently less tolerant of her poor office hours!). Maybe the moral of the story is - If you want to play pro soccer and still be a head coach, one of the first things you have to do is hire good assistants. I'm sure there are some other examples out there, especially with the new league restarting with low salary budgets. Maybe a new thread on "moonlighting in college soccer"
Hoppa just signed an extension at Auburn that will pay her more than UCF could match. http://www.auburntigers.com/sports/w-soccer/spec-rel/032213aaa.html Hale could be a candidate, but this is really a Mid-Major job that has exceeded almost everyone's expectations in C-USA. My best guess would be Donna Fishter getting the shot as HC at UCF as Cromwell is told to keep UCLA assistants for the 1st year. Cromwell was the best female candidate on the UCLA shortlist and good luck to her. Was a qualified list with many D1 SoCal coaches in the mix. Does C-USA success equate to PAC 12 success and recruiting dominance?? Doubtful. But I have been wrong before.
NO way Donna Fisher gets a look? Does the UCF staff go with Cromwell? The interview process starts next week as phone calls have already gone out.. Look for Georgtown, Tenn Assistant, Arkansas, and FL assistant, to be considered.
Petrucelli to UCF would make zero sense. Lateral move (at best) in the same conference. Plus, obviously none of my business, but when you are getting educations for your children (daughter a freshman at SMU this year, first son a freshman at SMU next year - both playing soccer) it's no contest. Can't blame him for talking to UCLA though if there is any truth to that rumor.
Posts like this remind that sometimes there are other factors for a coach leaving or staying other than just the soccer part. That being said, Petrucelli (why his name is being thrown out after doing so poorly at Texas is beyond me), Hale and Nolan seem like stretches for a UCF. Is it a great spot or a good spot where someone did a great job.
Let me guess!!! Chris P and Dave N are already in the mix and interviewing for this one too.. At least that is what will be said on here within the next day or so......