That's quite the statement by the AD as he essentially said, "You weren't getting it done". "Our expectations at Pacific are clear, we expect our programs to compete for conference titles and make NCAA tournaments." Which is kind of surprising, given the fact that up until this season the team had been doing much better than their historical record. Then again, going 2-17-1 and winless (0-10) in conference play is never a good thing.
I have no idea about the coaching situation and will give him some slack as he has only been there like 18 months, but, even so, that statement from the AD is a bit laughable and typical administrative bs. I get he is may be trying to "change the culture", but Pacific hasn't won a single (not one) WCC championship since rejoining in 2013. It sounds good, but the unanswered question is has that statement been followed up behind the scenes with significantly better resources.
The co-head coach experiment may have run its course. AD probably said time to go back to the norm of a Head coach and assistant coaches. Only way to get there is to make the change.
Yes I think that may be correct. I would say that probably the end of the season meeting with the AD was tough. With two head coaches there may have been some tension between the two and some blaming each other involved. Just speculation. Remember they took over I think mid season when the coach was let go and they did well to work together to salvage the season. In order to save their jobs they worked together to do the co head coach thing probably. Roles maybe started to get defined over time and they found that they could not work together. Caused some issues probably. Again just speculating.
At Pacific: Adams and Wozniak leave the Tigers program with a 28-35-15 career record. That's sad for them, Pacific is on of the worst locations in the WCC to play at, and not a fully funded program for scholarships in a very competitive soccer conference. Those two did much better than any of their predecessors. Despite this seasons results, I think it'll be some big shoes to fill. Only winning season for Pacific in over a decade. I wish them both well that they land on their feet.
Having some insight, if the co-head coaches were blaming each other - it was never evident by how they acted in public nor to any player. The previous head coach left on his own due to personal reasons (rumor was that the family hated the city) right after the season ended in 2022 I believe or right before?! One could argue they won Head Coach of the year following as a result of the recruiting/training received on year prior. The previous head coach brought in a few transfers. The AD was very strong in expectations upfront (perhaps too strong and unfairly) on what the record should be or else. IMHO - that put too much pressure on the coaches and then the players knew it since coaches shared this with them. Everyone played/made choices scared.
Using Pacific as an example, I wonder if athletic directors feel pressure from other athletic directors in their conference. All of the other West Coast Conference teams have to play Pacific, and Pacific's very poor winning percentage this year no doubt had a pretty good negative impact on their WCC compatriots' RPIs - not just to the Opponents' Winning Percentage element but also to the Opponents' Opponents' Winning Percentage element. When a conference has candidates for NCAA Tournament seeds or at large selections, having a team or teams in the conference with very poor winning percentages is a problem.
Interesting take - I did research that this new AD is only in his second year and this is at least the third coaching change (new Mens Basketball, new Mens Baseball).
That's a pretty big red flag. Why are so many ADs either clueless or delusional? You're Pacific. You are not and never will be Northern Pepperdine or Southern Gonzaga... and, no matter what you do, you'll always be behind Santa Clara. Always. Just be the best Pacific you can be and try not to throw your coaches under the bus on their way out.
I agree. For me, this is one of the biggest problems in college athletics. Way too many schools and administrators, don’t know who they are and think they can be something their school doesn’t have the resources, facilities, and personnel to support. Coaches and players are screwed before they even start.
That's outrageous! They ended the season on a two-game undefeated streak! Seriously, what a nightmare of position. Especially competing in the NEC. Good luck with their search!
OPEN: UC Riverside (interim) Loyola Chicago (interim) Cal Poly (retirement 6/9) North Carolina (interim; retirement 8/9) Mississippi Valley State (8/25) Niagara (8/27) Maryland (10/10) Kansas State (10/28) Oregon (10/29) Illinois (10/30; retirement) Western Illinois (10/31) Wisconsin Green Bay (11/4) Weber State (11/5) VCU (11/7) IU Indianapolis (11/7) NC State (11/8) VMI (11/8) Youngstown State (11/8; retirement) Pacific (11/12) Chicago State (11/14) Duquesne (11/15) FILLED: Duke - Kieran Hall (Duke associate head; filled after Fall 2024 season retirement) San Francisco - Pinder Nijjar (interim; 9/17) Oregon State - Caroline Kelly (OSU interim; 11/13)
Anyone else think that Ad's at NCAA level are disposing of head coaches faster than we can develop quality experienced ones to replace them? Old days, lots of coaches in the game pushing 10-20-30 years in the biz. Now it seems tons at 10 years or under, lucky to make it 6 years (two contract cycles) for many D1 head coaches, sink or swim. Maybe I'm just looking into it too much, but seems like lots of job openings the past 5 plus years and often inexperienced long time coaches are harder to find to fill the revolving door openings. Just my opinion/inquiry.
Looking at the NC State release again and comments on in state recruiting..., and what are AD's expectations, it is interesting to look at NCAA RPI # and all North Carolina Div I schools. Looks like ECU and Elon are on way up? And great job by WCU Nov 10th, 2024 RPI # School 1 Duke 2 UNC 7 Wake Forest 68 ECU 79 Elon 95 Western Car 154 High Point U 168 App St 175 Davidson 176 NCSU 191 Charlotte 198 UNC Greensboro 219 UNC Wilmington 226 Campbell 271 Queens 318 UNC Asheville 332 Gardner Webb
Things may be unraveling at Texas A&M. Players don't seem to thrilled with Phil leaving. Several of their top players entering the portal. Admin may have botched this one