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"I am interested in waking up every day to an environment that both excites and challenges me to apply the experience that I have gained over the years and put it to the test. I feel very lucky to have found that opportunity at Gonzaga University. I have always loved the Spokane area and I can't wait to make this place my home," he said. "I want to work with players who already know how to win and help them win even bigger. This situation embraces everything that I desire out of life - the chance to channel my energy into a quality Division I soccer program in a place that I love. My combined respect and friendship with Coach Stiles is what makes this decision the absolute right one. Coach Stiles and I have developed a great rapport over the years and I am excited to parlay that into a powerful coaching partnership at Gonzaga."

interesting.............

what a freakin' weirdo.

Reading between the lines it sounds like his players didn't like him very much.

What are the top women's soccer schools? Can we convince one of the coaches that we do have a commitment to win?

The usual suspects with the exception of Portland and Santa Clara that are perennial powerhouses even though not large state schools. We should be able to find an outstanding coach. There are many sources. College,clubs,pros and the national development programs. We need someone who is not only an outstanding proven coach and recruiter but who is also well known on the national stage and can bring instant credibility to the program. This is not a rebuilding job but taking an already excellent team and taking it to thoe next level where it can compete for a national championship.

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Rank School Prev. W-L-T
1 North Carolina 1 27 - 1 - 0
2 Notre Dame 1 25 - 1 - 1
3 UCLA 3 21 - 4 - 0
4 Florida State 5 18 - 4 - 4
5 Texas A&M 13 17 - 6 - 1
6 Portland 7 17 - 4 - 3
7 Penn State 8 18 - 5 - 3
8 Texas 6 18 - 4 - 3
9 Santa Clara 4 15 - 5 - 1
10 Florida 16 14 - 6 - 5
11 Boston College 25 12 - 7 - 3
12 Colorado 17 14 - 6 - 4
13 Rutgers 12 16 - 3 - 4
14 Clemson 21 11 - 8 - 5
14 Illinois 15 16 - 8 - 0
16 Stanford 23 15 - 6 - 2
17 Oklahoma State 9 17 - 3 - 3
18 Virginia NR 12 - 8 - 2
19 California 24 12 - 5 - 5
19 Wake Forest 10 16 - 6 - 1
21 Connecticut RV 11 - 7 - 4
22 West Virginia 14 14 - 4 - 3
23 Utah 11 16 - 5 - 1
24 Louisville 22 13 - 4 - 3
25 Tennessee NR 12 - 7 - 4

The chances of hiring one of the coaches away would be tough. First they are already in a winning program. Trying to draw one just from SMU's commitment to getting better won't do it. One problem is the conference we play in. Hard to draw coaches away from the Big East or ACC to play in CUSA.

I agree but there are plenty of other places to look. Major club coaches, national development program coaches and assistant coaches at major programs.

I think you'd need to hire someone with college experience. Tough to go from club to a top 25-30 program. Most of the national coaches, at least ODP side, are already coaching in college. The asst. coach route is the most viable. But what about Brown? Apparently he did most of the recruiting the past couple of years so the girls know him and I think respect him. He has a decent resume as a coach. Anyone know a reason not to appoint him or give him a chance? I heard he applied for the job.

I do not have an opinion on Brown as I do not know him, what his reputation is in soccer circles and more importantly what his relationship is with Orsini. From his resume, it appears he has little Div. 1 coaching experience and he has yet to obtain a top soccer coaching license. This does not necessarily mean he would not be a good choice for the job. I will trust Orsini with probable advice from Schellas to find the best caoch for the job.

Seems like we've gone through a number of Womens coaches in short order. Why is the longevity of the coaches so short? Did Cossaboom give any reasons for the move - has anyone geard anything about it?

Not sure why he left but it may have been coming at least for this season. He wasn't really involved in any recruiting, Brown did 95% of that. I know a recruit that came in for an official visit and only met Coss once. It seems he and the AD did not get along and he had some sort of bad rap with the players or at least wasn't well liked. (all rumored...I don't know for sure)

I heard application deadline is today and they start the process of going through and interviewing potential candidates starting Monday 15th with the goal of naming the new coach prior to the end of the month in time for recruits signing date of 2/7.

Treadway21 wrote:Seems like we've gone through a number of Womens coaches in short order. Why is the longevity of the coaches so short? Did Cossaboom give any reasons for the move - has anyone geard anything about it?

Kirkup left for an ACC job (Maryland), which included more money and a chance to coach in the best soccer conference in the country -- can't blame him. Ryan was terrible here, and made a good program into a mediocre one. Van Linder went to Baylor -- not sure why he split town .... I think he was viewed as a good coach, but not a great one. Personally, I liked him and his team's style. Cossaboon, I thought, really had the team pointing in the right direction -- I'm eager to see who takes over.