The chatter is of possibly more openings happening in the Southland Conference. Would expect it to be publicly announced/known by no later than February.
I think this is a very good hire and believe this coach will do a good job based on his resume, but that is a crazy target he is putting out there especially with the big programs only becoming bigger with the conference realignments. I recall years ago Ross Paule was announced at Creighton and national championships were mentioned and we saw how that turned out so it’s a big statement to suggest national prominence.
Looks like a good hire to me, given St. Louis' success over recent years -- notwithstanding no head coach experience except high school. Marquette was ranked #2 by the RPI in 2013 and except for the last five years and 2014 always has been at least an NCAA Tournament at large position contender, so although past is not always prologue, his aspirations may not be unrealistic.
Kai Edwards CSUN. Rumor has it he was offered and I think accepting. But we'll see how reliable that is from one of their recruits that mentioned that.
I would imagine Southern California is a lot more enjoyable than southern utah so couldn’t blame him if this is accurate.
Kennesaw is interviewing this week. Former ACC HCs apparently are on the interview list. Looks like a pretty decent job on paper.
CSUN ain't where it's at though. What a tough gig. Commuter school. Local talent isn't going there. They don't really compete in many sports, especially on the women's side (softball being the closest thing to competitive). He just signed an extension. Surely he could find a better gig than CSUN.
Beg to differ. Previous coach (real former coach, keith west) had success at CSUN. You just have to know the market. If you walk in there thinking you can attack the California market you’re not winning. Theres a certain student athlete, player, and California market for that school. CSU Fullerton is a commuter school as well and has found success. Only downside about the CSUN gig is the turmoil in athletic directors since they botched Keith Wests firing.
This 100%…we know a lot of kids who find/found themselves interested in the Big West Schools…especially the So Cal Kids…most games in CA and family can attend plus every other year a trip to Hawaii. It is very desirable conference and location for the right kid/family not chasing the sweatshirt…KW did have success there, and his coaching DA/ECNL locally over the years he was able to see so many of the local kids to recruit. Said it before, KW is doing a great job getting kids placed currently. Agree CSUN messed it up big time. Do agree with the difficulties in the Athletic Department and Commuter School vibe. There seem to be a few of those in the Big West. https://www.dailynews.com/2024/01/0...as-fired-for-exposing-alleged-wrongdoing/amp/
UNC’s internal problems are looking worse and worse with the portal and coaching staff conflict. Only 12 players on roster? I know its the spring season but yikes. UNC women’s soccer is down to just TWELVE players on their 2024 spring roster. A 2025 commit just withdrew. The Daily Tar Heel reports an exodus of 74.4% of the team. What is going on???? @ImCollegeSoccer @ImYouthSoccer @CollegeSoccerN1 @EqualizerSoccer @TheAthletic— Ashley Shoemaker (@aehal1) January 24, 2024
The deal is that, as with all dynasties, they come to the end. Anson is not the Anson of 20, 15, 10 years ago. Multiple programs have leapfrogged them in terms of how they play, how they recruit and how they train. No doubt the man is a legend, but the time may have come to step aside?
More of a commentary on how college sports have changed than anything else. I'm not a big AD guy, but I don't think its true to say multiple programs have leapfrogged them in the areas you state.
There are at least a couple that I know of that were on no or very little money that could use the Carolina name to go elsewhere.
Makes sense. Some girls are using the college name to polish a personal brand. I played at UNC is great currency to go to pretty much any D1 school and play soccer. Thats is why I don't agree with how they play or train being some kind of hindrance. All of the players are well aware of that before they go there and if they are not, its on them. Its not like they suddenly changed it this year. COVID rules bloated rosters and changed dynamics. As far as out recruited, no one can has UNCs history and tradition to sell. That has value for some recruits. If a player's plan is no longer 4 years of College, then a chance to enhance draft status by being more of a focal point may be appealing. It is a bit like a run on a bank though. Once a few decide to move on, FOMO sets in. When Mark Krikorian left FSU, several naysayers said it was all over. Turned out quite different. UNC will be just fine
ask anyone who has spoken with or been in Anson's orbit last 1-2 years. He is no longer in touch with what's going on.
did you watch the recent interview he did? Posted on YouTube and linked n the UNC thread. I was pretty impressed. He seemed very plugged in and realizing how the 'leave-early to get drafted' era is here. Not too much about NIL though so I think there are going to be some P4 schools, like FSU, who are getting an edge already using NIL/Branding to market and get SAs. We all see it happening in FB and BB but now the influence of money is spilling over to 'olympic' sports as well. Definitely going to be interesting to see how the new conference shuffle and NIL money will affect the sport and coaches.
If Fullerton and Long Beach can compete at the top of the conference why can't CSUN? I would expect Kai Edwards to be in the mix considering the Asst AD who oversees soccer he reported to at SUU. Word is they began zoom interviews this week so the process has begun. They did completely screw up the Keith West situation however that was a completely different administration. Keith always had them competitive.
This is very strange, because I heard he bought a Jimmy Johns franchise and is leaving soccer altogether.