I wanted to start a new thread due to my last e-mail and all the questions I had. Let's forget about Bert, he's not going to change anything at South Carolina. He's bascically getting into the D1 ranks and will try to move on. Since I'm a Clemson fan and love the fact that we have dominated the Cocks for soo long. I want to see South Carolina college soccer program be nationally competitive. So, I want to hear comments from everybody on this board on what's going on in Columbia. Why a once very good program turn into an average mid major D1 program? Also, let's take a poll on the following: Should Berson be given an opportunity to get it going? How long does he get? Should Berson be out the door if he doesn't get it done in a year or two? Come on all you knowledgeable college soccer people.It is time to talk about a program that is down and probably out unless there is a replacement.Put it this way, some division 2 schools are better than the Gamecocks in the state of South Carolina. And Always, Always Rememember --------Go TIGERS!!!!!!!!
i've heard comments third hand from other d1 coaches that indicate berson is fairly well respected at the college level, national level and also within the mls. one such comment (paraphrased) was that if 'berson recommends someone to the mls, then the managers in the mls listen.' perhaps not getting support from other SEC schools to field teams plays a part in some thinking that more could be done. but there's always at least three sides to a story.....
Adidas1030 -------Who did Clemson lose to? As far as Div. 2 teams that are better in the state. I would have to say Lander University, PC and USC Spartanburg. Yes, the regional campus of the big Cocks. Frito --------Good feedback. But, what does SEC schools have to do with a fully funded soccer program that is not very good? Also, if Berson can give some very good feedback to the mls and is well respected----what does that have to do with a fully funded soccer program that is not very good. I'm obviuosly looking from the outside in, but if I'm at the MLS level and National level, I not confiding to much in Berson's outlook. The other question I have? Does Trevor Adair, Doug Allison, and Dave Golan pose similiar coaching qualities as Berson? Always Remember--------Go Tigers!
Since know one has responded to Clemsonticks. I guesss I will. First off it seems to me that Berson's former asst's Adair,Allison, and Golan to an extent have better programs then Berson. Year in and year out these guys(Adair,Allison,and Golan ) have been getting results. Granted Golan has been a head Coach for only a couple of years . But Adair an Allison have been kicking their so called "mentor's "butt in all aspects of there programs. Talking with alumni for USC,Clemson,and Furman. No matter if the players liked the Head Coach or not.All of Clemson and Furman alumni went on to say how much they respected Adair and Allison and would have run through a brick wall for them , well it was a little different with USC alumni. The respect factor recent grads have for Berson is almost zero and they said they would not sacrifice anything for Berson . Why is this? I find this a troubling problem with USC and it looks like the trend will continue.
buttman1732 ----------I heard that Berson has been concentrating to much on the camp and dough rather than his program. That sounds very interesting. Certainly the results can determine the concentration on camp. But, I aslo heard the camps are not going so well. Is this true? Can someone give me a spring update on Clemson? Did they lose to Aiken Fire.....I was reading that the Fire really gave the Cocks a hard time....
Besides underachieving of late, what has Clemson done to warrant them thinking they are the top program in the state? For all their resources and talent, they haven't been to the Final Four since 1987. Under Adair, they've flamed out in the Elite Eight like five times. The team with Onyewu, Warren, Lisi, Lewis and Fuller was one of the most talented college teams ever but didn't make it out of the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Adair is a great recruiter and his teams are always competitive and he doesn't steer his top talent away from leaving early when they're ready, so there is much to respect about him. But, before Clemson fans come on here and start talking smack, perhaps the program they support should live up to its expectations and make it back to the Final Four for the first time since the Mullet and Oingo Boingo were popular. And BTW, the best team in South Carolina the past two years hasn't been Clemson, South Carolina nor Furman. It's been Costal Carolina.
I am very happy that the guru of Big Soccer has responded. You provide the board with some very good comments about not getting to a Final Four. But, who has been knocking on the door? Clemson or South Carolina? The ultimate goal is to win a National Championship, but the country cannot critique a program going to an Elite Eight Appearance almost yearly. There is some consistency in Tiger town, but not in Gamecock town. If Berson would keep up with the paces of the game and recruiting cylce the program would be ok. Is he still living on Mathis and Wolff? Coastal has been very good the last couple of years. No doubt about it. Bottom line is that South Carolin will never reach Clemson's accomplishments, even during the Adair era. So, question that has not been answered. What's going on in South Carolina with the Cocks, Sandon? Berson has some explaing to do on why he is getting his butt handed to him. And Always Remember-------You have a better chance seeing the Tigers in the Elite Eight than the Gamecocks-----Go Tigers!
Sandon, Coastal had one good year because of one great player. If you remember the year before they lost to Clemson in the first round of the NCAA's and only beat Clemson 2-1 this year, an average year for Clemson. Clemson has owned the state besides '99 when they lost to Furman 3-2 in 2OT courtesy of an horrendous own goal but still beat USC 1-0. USC hasn't beaten Clemson since 1995 and Furman has beaten them once since 1907 it seems like. To be fair, Clemson is still the team to beat. In 1998 Clemson drew Indiana in the Elite 8 who were #2 in both polls, 2000 the go down to ten me when one of the UConn players grabs Bringsved's balls and he pushes back then give up a crappy 88th minute equaliser then an even worse one in OT and in 2001 are given only a #5 seed after beating every team in the ACC and defeating UVA so are forced to travel to Indiana where Onyewu is denied a great goal by the official's who were in Yeagley's back pocket. Has Clemson been unlucky, yes. Should they have done better with the players they have, yes. Do they own the state, yes. When Maryland made the Final Four in 1998 when they were the 5th best team in the conference and UNC wins the National Championship as the 4th best ACC school, Clemson is due.
What do you have to say to that mister guru? I think Sandon spoke to loud..He must be a South Carolina fan...He really has not been able to communicate why South Carolina is in the hole. Good friends with Berson?
clemsonticks: Sandon brings up a great point. Although a USC fan, I must admit that the past two years have been taken by CC. As far as the spring games go, where did you read Fire gave USC problems, 1-1 draw, with a dominant USC performance with 9 field players and a 1 goalie on the field. Lander 4-2. USC-S 1-1 draw, second half was a disaster for USC-S. Before you start saying these small teams are better check the record first. I did hear though that Clemson lost to Fire, so what about that? Back to USC-Clemson, granted USC hasn't won in the last decade or so, you cannot begin to say Clemson has been handing USC beatings. Last fall was a 1-0 win for Clemson on a PK. And the year before that, it was a 3-2 win in OT.
If you want to get some accurate feedback on Berson, talk to the current USC players and players from the past couple of seasons. The guy is clueless. He made a name for himself when college soccer was just beginning in this country, because there were so few programs. Just look at how many of his players have transferred, flunked drug tests, quit, etc. He's got some talent there, but doesn't know what to do with it, IMO.
Beatings. Clemson BEAT South Carolina 1-0, then BEAT them 3-2 in OT. They will continue to BEAT them.....call it the Chicken Curse...
Yeah but the meaning of beating used in the previous post was implying that USC has no chance against Clemson, which is obviously not the case, if anyone saw the games they would agree as well.
Players transfer all the time, but the idea that the coach has something to do with the flunked drug tests? The college level/pro level doesn't need players who flunk drug test or want to quit because they are unhappy. A guy playing pro doesn't just quit because he doesn't like the coach now does he?
It's about results. It doesn't look like Berson knows how to get results. BEATINGS----When you lose year in and year out-------That is a beating----PHEW
Yes, players transfer all the time...but the NUMBER of players leaving USC is large, and the number of players unhappy at USC is even larger. Are you a player at USC? If so, you know what I'm talking about.
Just went to a spring scrimmage last weekend. Not USC, but another program very much at the same level. A very iffy coach that did very well ten years ago, but just isn't able to accept that he is not the only game in town any more. There was two decent players on the pitch for his side, but nowhere near the AA's that once entertained us fans. Instead, I was entertained by what I call the "creatine" side. Bulked up, charlie hustle, kick it hard, run hard, wack the other side when you get frustrated, soccer. I am not condeming college soccer. There are many dedicated coaches out there. For every good coach there are at least two young hungry lions (assistants) that would add so much to the college game. But because soccer is a nonrevenue sport, AD's are complacent. That allows those that know the system to play the games, collect their nice salary, a bonus of camps, all the while flying under the radar. It's a shame. USC has so mny resources.
Coastal lost to Clemson in the 2nd round in 2002...they beat USC for the 2nd time that year in the first round. Plus the defeat was in PK's. But once again CCU gets no respect because when Coastal does beat one of the Big 2, it's because they're having an off year. Please! Also, one player does not make a soccer team. CCU beat Clemson this year 2-1 on a beautiful goal from beyond the 18yd box. A win is a win no matter how many goals are scored. Clemson was schooled the entire game, just as UNC was schooled in the second round of this year's NCAA Tournament 3-0. The only reason Coastal lost to Santa Clara in the Sweet 16 was the fact that they played in the outfield of a baseball field. Coastal finished ranked 8th in the nation and will be a force to reckon with in 2004-05.
jaques and sandon---thanks for the brief history on Coastal----Are you done? Yeah, that's all you have---Thanks! Clemson is the best program in South Carolina---Will always be---Does anybody agree? Of course---
Jaques You want some cheese with that whine. Well at least the name fits your personality. You definitely sound French. How about you stop making excuses for your own team losing before you criticize others for doing the same thing
That it would help the program if they were in a quality conference. It helps with recruiting and also with scheduling. As a independent your kind of behind the 8 ball in your scheduling. You have to try and find schools to fit you into their schedule when a good portion of it is taken up with conference games. You may end up either playing a really difficult or easy schedule.