Hot Seat 2023-24

As for NC State, keep an eye on the current AD (Boo Corrigan) who came from Army West Point when Russell Payne was the Mens coach there. They may renew their relationship and bring Payne from Northwestern.

 

I would think Payne would wait for another former ACC now Big Ten gig.

 

How long would that wait be?

 

5-10 years....

 

What about Mike Babst for the NC State job? He's in state, so likely has connections, and has really transformed Davidson with no resources. Would be interesting to see what he could do with some money... Don't know him at all. I recognize they are VERY different types of school--anyone know him or have thoughts?

Also in regards to Boo Corrigan--could also see him going back to ND roots and trying to poach one of their assts...

 

Babst was a great DIII head coach at the University of Chicago. In that sense, he was a good fit for Davidson since the small size and academic standards of the school is probably more similar to a lot of DIII schools than DI schools and Davidson does attract some of the same types of kids who might have considered a NESCAC in DIII. Not sure that provides a bunch of NC connections though. His roster is full of kids from all over the country willing to come to a small, high academic, school, rather than NC or Southeast-specific connections (although he does attract some of those kind of kids from the southeast). It doesn't hurt that he has an academic bent to him - a law degree from Pitt and went to school at Boston College -- when he's on the recruiting trail for those kind of players. I'm sure he could adapt, but the location of his current employer is not necessarily the first thing to cite in favor of his hire.

 

@Benny Dargle Thanks for that info. I just noted he had turned the program around there and I know that they don't have resources at Davidson so thought it could be interesting--really appreciate your insight .

 

I don't think at 61, Sasho is coaching 10 years.

 

Out of curiosity, how many current D-I head coaches are older than Sasho?

 

Ritchie Nuttall at Hofstra is probably about that age. Started coaching there in 1989.
That said--I've been wondering if Stephen Roche will be up for any of the current openings or if he's waiting for Nuttall to retire.

 

Off the top of my head same age or older in the 61+ category... Dave Mazur, St. Johns, Mike Noonan, Clemson, Dean Koski Lehigh, as mentioned Rich Nuttall Hofstra, Seth Roland, FDU, Doug Allison, Furman, Fran O'Leary, UMass, Jay Vidovich, Pitt, Bob Butehorn, USF, Erik Johnson, Western Illinois, Probably others but those are the more senior guys.

 

https://fairfieldstags.com/news/202...rees-steps-down-from-mens-soccer-program.aspx

 

https://longwoodlancers.com/news/20...-for-mens-soccer-transitions-to-new-role.aspx

 

THANK YOU COACH TEACH!!!

The past 14 years have been filled with special memories and moments thanks to your dedication to this program and we wish you nothing but the best in charge at @Mount_MSOC!!#LetsGoVCU pic.twitter.com/9ecifrw0w1

— VCU Men's Soccer (@VCUMensSoccer) December 1, 2023

Safe to saw Mount has been filled.

 

Official announcement:

https://mountathletics.com/news/202...ed-mount-st-marys-head-mens-soccer-coach.aspx

 

https://gculopes.com/news/2023/12/1/mens-soccer-gcu-announces-mens-soccer-coaching-change.aspx

What happened here? Didn't he get there not too long ago?

 

Not sure hiring the MLS Academy guy is the way to go in college soccer. No real examples of that working.

 

Heard some info this week- NC state is going after Jay Vidovich from Pitt, Jamie Franks from Denver, Chris Rich from UNCG and Dane Brenner from Wake Forest. On good authority I hear it’s the Pitt coaches job to lose- rightfully so, he’s shown he can turn around a down ACC program quick.

 

I mean, Jay Vidovich can coach. There's no question about that.

I have no idea about the salary differences, but if we assume they're equal, is State a better gig than Pitt right now? Vidovich has turned the Panthers into a national power (something that seemed laughable before he got there) and they're a legit title contender every season with two College Cups on the CV this decade. NC State, meanwhile, hasn't been to the Final Four since 1990, when Roy Lassiter, Henry Gutierrez and Dario Brose (all of whom got USMNT caps), led them there.

I'm stunned Jamie Franks is still at Denver (though it's a great place to live), but I think he'd be a great hire. Former ACC player (for Vidovich) and assistant who could be at the school for 20 years. Vidovich, as good a coach as he is, is 63. How many coaching years does he have left?

 

How many have been hired?

I know South Carolina hired from Atlanta's academy and that's gone nowhere. Penn State hired from the Philadelphia Union academy and has had moderate success. Any others?