NIU lost assistant Kylie Stannard to Michigan State. He has been hired as Damon Rensings new Assistant coach. Kylie was a former player at Creighton. Eric Luzzi (keeper coach) is now the associate head coach, assisting Steve Simmons. Good luck to both of them.
That's the direction I'd go. Bringing in assistants who know the conference AND who have a couple of national titles on their resumes is usually a pretty good hire. Not a guarantee, of course, but a good bet which is, ultimately, the best you can hope for with these hires. That said, I won't be at all surprised if Tech's AD decides to hire a coach with some previous head-coaching experience, either an up-and-comer in the coaching circles or a very respected veteran coach at a mid-majorish school. Here are a few names I thought of... Greg Andrulis – George Mason He’s already in-state so he knows the region and he has gone a good job re-building GMU and got them to the NCAAs last year and recruited very well. Also has the MLS experience – former Coach of the Year and won USOC and Supporters’ Shield – that will appeal to so many players (and their parents) looking at ACC-caliber schools. He seems pretty content in Fairfax but Tech puts him on a much bigger stage, soccer-wise. Jamie Clark – Harvard Only has the one season as a head coach but made the second round of the NCAA Tournament in it and has a great pedigree that includes coaching bloodlines, pro experience and good assistant coach experience. Jeremy Gunn – UNC Charlotte In two seasons at Charlotte he’s won a respectable 12 games each season. Previously coached at D-II Fort Lewis, which he turned into a power at that level and won the 2005 NCAA title. Charlotte’s proximity to Tech – it’s actually closer than the Northern Virginia market – would give him an edge in recruiting in North Carolina. Mike Jacobs – Evansville Has rebuilt the Purple Aces into a winning program in 4 seasons at the helm there and sent players to MLS. Was an assistant at Duke for several years so he knows the ins-and-outs of recruiting in the ACC, which would be a big plus. John Trask - UIC Probably won’t leave Chicago, where he’s built a good mid-major capable of playing with anyone, but he is ambitious and this is an ACC gig we’re talking about. While I don’t think he’ll go, I bet he’ll think about it for a few minutes, at least.
Is Virginia Tech considered a better or more desirable gig for these guys than their current institutions simply by the fact that it is an ACC school?
Yes. At least, soccer-wise. Lifestyle wise, I'd much rather live in Chicago or Boston than Blacksburg VA. And academically, Harvard is, obviously, Harvard. (Though Tech is no slouch academically, especially in engineering.) But these guys are college soccer coaches and a chance to recruit in the ACC and be in what is year-in, year-out the top conference in college soccer is a great opportunity. And, as I said before, there are only 9 of these jobs and they don't open up very often. (Before John Rennie retired last year, the last time there was a men's soccer opening at an ACC school was when Bruce Arena left UVa for DC United.)
A good list, for sure. Of those I would venture to say that Andrulis, Jacobs, and Gunn may be tempted in a step up. George Mason is a pretty good set up, though, in terms of location and facilities - but it's a long shout from the ACC. UE was great back in the day, but that ship has sailed and Jacobs might like a shot at an ACC gig. Gunn could also be tempted by the ACC, but he hasn't been at UNCC very long. The timing makes this move tough for any sitting head coach. A hungry assistant is more likely, but who knows. Simmons to OSU is an interesting thought given his history, and the PAC 10 seems like a lot more fun than the MAC. Who wouldn't prefer UCLA, Stanford, Cal, UW, and SDSU as opponents - not to mention Portland as an out of conference game, compared to Buffalo, Western Michigan and Bowling Green?! Sure you're chasing those teams out of the gate, but NIU is already chasing a good Akron program, and the PAC 10 gets a few teams in every year as opposed to the MAC getting one (Akron). Again, though, tough to move in June. My bet - VT goes with Doyle and OSU tabs their associate HC. Both are big conference jobs, but neither school has shown they care so much about soccer that they are going to go out and quickly buy a qualified coach, especially in this economy.
Has gunn and jacobs accomplished anything of significance as HC's, multiple NCAA's, conference championships? Hands down andrulis is one of the most experienced coaches in the college ranks right now in any conference. ACC and cost of living of blacksburg is a huge draw, although I think the cost of living at this point is more attractive than the acc?
I'm not sayin' that Trask will be at UIC for the rest of his life; but he won't be leaving for Virginia Tech. With a new baby (Jack), and a program that seems to be on the verge of getting to that proverbial next level, he seems pretty stable in the Windy City. Now if Indiana came calling........... Oh, and he didn't even think about it for a few seconds. (Virginia Tech, that is)
Well, Gunn did win an NCAA championship (going undefeated) and made three Final Fours at the D-II level. What he's done at Charlotte is nice but what would give him a shot at a gig like Tech is what he did at Fort Lewis.
Had this opening at Tech happened right after season, the names mentioned above would have all been in play plus others. However, the season is only 2 months away. The disruption is bad enough at Tech so why add others to the misery. Tech will probably go in-house and give opportunity to existing ass't coach. He knows all the current players plus in coming class and future pipeline. He was 2007 NCAA ass't coach of year and has been at program for 6 years. That's my 2 cents..
That's my guess as well and what most of the players I've talked to seem to think is the most likely scenario. The assistant he's talking about is Mike Brizendine, who played at JMU and coached at D3 Bridgewater before coming to Tech. Tech also just hired Kevin Doyle from Creighton, so he might be in the mix as well. I'd expect the dreaded "interim" tag associated with the position if Briz is hired, however, which would allow the AD to do a more extensive search after next season if needed.
Good luck Mike, the ACC is a tough place to cut your d1 head coaching teeth. Timing trumps everything else. This may pan out to be the best hire ever, but my gut tells me Jay and Sash aren't losing any sleep tonight over this one.
Jay Vidovich, George Gelnovatch, Elmar Bolowich and even Crazy George Tarantini got their first head coaching jobs at ACC schools. Between them, they've been to 8 Final Fours and won a pair of NCAA titles. All four had been assistants at the schools they coach at now when their predecessor left (or died, in Vidovich's case). Just sayin'...
Nothing concrete but athletic fundraising is way down. http://www.osubeavers.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/060209aaq.html
Don't kid yourself. Fifteen years ago, there were a few star coaches like Bruce Arena, Sigi Schmid, Jerry Yeagley, Clive Charles, and Bob Bradley, plus a lot of weaker ones. In the meantime, the stars have all been replaced by downgrades, and most of the weaklings have stuck around. I guess some things about college soccer have changed, but it's still a place where a semi-competent coach should feel right at home.
More on the Briz hiring at Tech in the local paper today. Pay attention to what our AD says about a change in philosophy towards recruiting at Tech. http://www.roanoke.com/sports/college/wb/208135