Women's soccer needs a new head coach

[TennZip]

There is nothing about this on the zip web site.   However, Noreen Herlihy has left the building (so , to speak)

lady zips were 3-15-1 last year.

Herlihy had signed a two year contract in June or July 2021.     In a non-revenue sport, they probably did not want to fire her with one year left on her contract.

She had coached at Slippery Rock before coming to Akron.  I believe that Indiana University of PA...is in the same Pittsburgh metropolitan area.

 

https://iupathletics.com/news/2022/6/20/womens-soccer-iup-names-noreen-herlihy-new-head-womens-soccer-coach.aspx

[72 Roo]

This is a plus for us. I've talked to Noreen many times in her office. She is personable and easy to like. She just was in over her head in the MAC. She knew it and she knew she had no future here beyond her last contracted year. Leaving for IUP was a smart move. She has assured herself that she will have a job for another five years. We, on the other hand, can now focus on upgrading the program's leadership.  The question is will good coaches be willing to leave their current program this late in the down period before the season starts. They will inherit a mess, but they will be able to build it their way with the blessing of Guthrie, who will make the hire. We all know the program should be exceptional. 

[Hilltopper]

It will be a much shorter commute from her home near Butler to her new job than it was to Akron. The fact that she never really relocated here after she was hired was baffling. I'm sure Charles will make a hire who is fully committed to raising the level of the program.

[fknbuflobo]

I nominate Frank Gagliardi.  I have no idea if he is even interested.

[Z.I.P.]

The fact that our coach has announced her arrival at a new job before anyone knew she had left her previous one...DOH! 🤦‍♀️ and that we are talking about hiring high school coaches says much about the free fall of the Akron women's soccer program.  There is just over a month to go before the players return to prepare for the 2022 season, so it will be near impossible to make a long-term hire, and we may end up with another "interim" label on whoever steps in.  No matter what you think about the overall value of UA WSoc vis-a-vis the rest of the MAC, you have to realize this situation is an embarrassment and shows the leadership is asleep at the switch! 

[mes102]

If I had the chance to recommend someone to the athletic department to at least see if there's any interest in the opening, it would be Ben Waldrum. He's currently the associate head coach at Pittsburgh. Here's his Bio on the Pitt athletic site: 

=========================

Ben Waldrum enters his fourth season at Pitt and third season as associate head coach after being elevated to the position on August 5, 2019. 

The son of head coach Randy Waldrum, Ben has been integral to the remarkable turnaround of the Panthers’ program in their three seasons in Pittsburgh. Last year, he helped the Panthers to a school-record 11 wins despite playing two less games in the regular season than a traditional year due to the pandemic. Pitt earned its first-ever ranking in the United Soccer Coaches’ Poll at No. 12 on Sept. 22 and stayed in the poll for an additional week. The Panthers won their first six games of the season, the best start in program history. Pitt earned the record despite being on the road for five of the games, setting another school record for most wins away from home in a single-season.
 
In his second season, Pitt snapped a three-year winless streak (0-25-3) in ACC play with a 2-1 overtime win over Boston College that was followed by a 2-1 win over NC State, who advanced to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament.
 
Waldrum is integral in helping to secure one of the largest and most talented recruiting classes in program history in 2020 and 2019 that has seen talented freshman and transfers step in right away to raise the level of play never seen before for the program in the ACC.

Prior to joining the Pitt staff, Waldrum coached the FC Dallas youth development program. In April 2015 he was promoted to head coach of the FCD Women. The team competed to a record of 34-3-3 under Waldrum's tutelage, appearing in the WPSL Playoffs in 2016 and 2017 and capturing the 2016 WPSL Southwest Conference championships.
 
He also served as the Affiliates Director, where the organization saw a 200 percent growth rate as he implemented programming for coaching education, player development, camps and clinics and college programs. Additionally, he was the head coach of the U19 FCD team for the 2017-18 season and the Elite Clubs National League head coach where he saw 16 players called into a national camp, representing five different countries.  

Prior to his club coaching experience, Waldrum earned experience on the national level as he served as an interim head coach and assistant coach for the Trinidad & Tobago women's National Team from 2014-16. He served as the interim head coach for the squad in 2014, leading the team to a 2-0 record in the group phase of the 2014 CFU Championship Tournament. Waldrum helped the team jump 34 places, largest in history, in the 2014 FIFA World Rankings after a strong season on the pitch.
 
Waldrum earned his starting in collegiate coaching as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator under his father at Notre Dame from 2003-08. With both Waldrums on staff, the Fighting Irish accumulated a record of 111-13-5 while also winning the 2004 NCAA National Championship. He was a member of three NCAA College Cup appearances while at Notre Dame while also winning five Big East regular season titles and coaching five All-Americans during his time in South Bend.

He currently holds US Soccer Federation A and B licenses to go along with NSCAA Premier, National and Advanced National diplomas.

========================
I think not being too far away would liken the chances of a coach taking the position right now. If someone has to look into moving in the next couple of months, that could be a lot to ask someone with a family and could end up with them thinking twice about taking it right now. I believe this would fit not being too far away for the first year. Just a matter of actual interest in leaving Pitt for a HC opportunity. Here's the link to the rest of his page on Pitt website: 

 

https://pittsburghpanthers.com/staff-directory/ben-waldrum/1484

Edited July 2, 2022 by mes102

[72 Roo]

He looks to be a viable candidate. I like his experience and his constant excellence in all he did.

[TennZip]

gozips.com has still not even acknowledged that Herlihy is gone

     normal athletics departments....would have listed an interim head coach

 

"captains practices" are not too far away for the womens team

Guthrie and crew need to get a coach announced this week or the following week

 

 

https://gozips.com/sports/womens-soccer/coaches

[Z.I.P.]

On 7/2/2022 at 8:57 AM, mes102 said:

If I had the chance to recommend someone to the athletic department to at least see if there's any interest in the opening, it would be Ben Waldrum. He's currently the associate head coach at Pittsburgh. Here's his Bio on the Pitt athletic site: 

=========================

Ben Waldrum enters his fourth season at Pitt and third season as associate head coach after being elevated to the position on August 5, 2019. 

The son of head coach Randy Waldrum, Ben has been integral to the remarkable turnaround of the Panthers’ program in their three seasons in Pittsburgh. Last year, he helped the Panthers to a school-record 11 wins despite playing two less games in the regular season than a traditional year due to the pandemic. Pitt earned its first-ever ranking in the United Soccer Coaches’ Poll at No. 12 on Sept. 22 and stayed in the poll for an additional week. The Panthers won their first six games of the season, the best start in program history. Pitt earned the record despite being on the road for five of the games, setting another school record for most wins away from home in a single-season.
 
In his second season, Pitt snapped a three-year winless streak (0-25-3) in ACC play with a 2-1 overtime win over Boston College that was followed by a 2-1 win over NC State, who advanced to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament.
 
Waldrum is integral in helping to secure one of the largest and most talented recruiting classes in program history in 2020 and 2019 that has seen talented freshman and transfers step in right away to raise the level of play never seen before for the program in the ACC.

Prior to joining the Pitt staff, Waldrum coached the FC Dallas youth development program. In April 2015 he was promoted to head coach of the FCD Women. The team competed to a record of 34-3-3 under Waldrum's tutelage, appearing in the WPSL Playoffs in 2016 and 2017 and capturing the 2016 WPSL Southwest Conference championships.
 
He also served as the Affiliates Director, where the organization saw a 200 percent growth rate as he implemented programming for coaching education, player development, camps and clinics and college programs. Additionally, he was the head coach of the U19 FCD team for the 2017-18 season and the Elite Clubs National League head coach where he saw 16 players called into a national camp, representing five different countries.  

Prior to his club coaching experience, Waldrum earned experience on the national level as he served as an interim head coach and assistant coach for the Trinidad & Tobago women's National Team from 2014-16. He served as the interim head coach for the squad in 2014, leading the team to a 2-0 record in the group phase of the 2014 CFU Championship Tournament. Waldrum helped the team jump 34 places, largest in history, in the 2014 FIFA World Rankings after a strong season on the pitch.
 
Waldrum earned his starting in collegiate coaching as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator under his father at Notre Dame from 2003-08. With both Waldrums on staff, the Fighting Irish accumulated a record of 111-13-5 while also winning the 2004 NCAA National Championship. He was a member of three NCAA College Cup appearances while at Notre Dame while also winning five Big East regular season titles and coaching five All-Americans during his time in South Bend.

He currently holds US Soccer Federation A and B licenses to go along with NSCAA Premier, National and Advanced National diplomas.

========================
I think not being too far away would liken the chances of a coach taking the position right now. If someone has to look into moving in the next couple of months, that could be a lot to ask someone with a family and could end up with them thinking twice about taking it right now. I believe this would fit not being too far away for the first year. Just a matter of actual interest in leaving Pitt for a HC opportunity. Here's the link to the rest of his page on Pitt website: 

 

https://pittsburghpanthers.com/staff-directory/ben-waldrum/1484

That would be Guthrie's biggest and best move if he could pull it off! His father, Randy Waldrum is kind of a legend in WSoc coaching at Notre Dame and in the NWSL for Houston Dash as well as internationally for T&T and now Nigeria.  Chances are Ben could sub in for dad in Pitt or get another high major job before long.  I know in the past UA ADs (Wistercil specifically) have interviewed Big10 and SEC assistants but not found the "right fit".  I think anybody with that level of experience we could grab would be amazing. Beats D-2 coaches.  😥

[mes102]

Jen Simonetti hired as the new head coach. Here's the link to the press release on athletic website and some of her bio below. Hope she does well, but if this is the best Guthrie could have done this summer on short notice, should have just hired an interim and seen what candidates would have been interested with more off season time after this upcoming season. There is no reason why a college coach looks at Akron and thinks they can't make the women's program successful here. The men's team has done really well on the national stage and that could be a selling point to candidates. However, we're reaching into the lower divisions/NAIA ranks again....

Jen Simonetti named Akron Women's Soccer Head Coach

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Jennifer Simonetti has been named the new head coach of The University of Akron (UA) women's soccer program, Director of Athletics Charles Guthrie announced today.  

 
Simonetti comes to Akron after three successful campaigns at Case Western Reserve University where she led the Spartans to a 30-7-3 mark since being named head coach in 2019. 
 
This past season, Simonetti guided the Spartans to a 16-2-2 record en route to being named by D3Soccer.com as its 2021 National Coach Staff of the Year, while being honored as the United Soccer Coaches Division III Region VII Coaching Staff of the Year. 
 
Simonetti led one of the biggest turnarounds in Division III, leading the Spartans to 30 victories and NCAA Tournament appearances in each of her two full campaigns, including setting or equaling the program record for wins each season. Case Western Reserve had one previous NCAA Tournament berth in program history prior to Simonetti's arrival in 2019.  
 
In 2021, CWRU reached the Round of 16 in the NCAA Tournament, the furthest a Spartan women's soccer team has ever advanced. The Spartans' 16 wins set a new program-best en route to finishing second in the conference, their highest finish in program history. In addition, Case Western Reserve ended the year ranked 10th in the nation according to the United Soccer Coaches poll.  
 
In her first year as the Spartans' head coach in 2019, the Spartans advanced to the NCAA Division III Tournament for just the second time in program history. The Spartans finished the season with a record of 13-5-1, including an 11-0-1 record in non-conference play. The 13 victories tied a program record for wins in a season with the 2011 squad.  
 
Simonetti brings with her extensive experience as a collegiate coach to the Case Akron women's soccer program, with stints serving as the Head Coach at both Eastern Oregon University (NAIA) and Marietta College, and making multiple stops as an assistant coach, including the University of Massachusetts Lowell (Division I), and Division III programs in Oberlin College, Westfield State University, Chatham University, and Marietta College. 

Edited July 12, 2022 by mes102

[mes102]

Getting To Know CWRU Head Women's Soccer Coach Jen Simonetti











 

Edited July 12, 2022 by mes102

[mes102]

Here is the CWRU's season opener from last season for those that want to see how they played

CWRU at Capital

[fknbuflobo]

Jen Simonetti looks to be a good hire!

[mes102]

7 minutes ago, fknbuflobo said:

Jen Simonetti looks to be a good hire!

I think it has a really good chance to work out but I'm just uneasy about going back into the lower divisions to hire a head coach again.

[fknbuflobo]

Jerry Yeagley began his coaching career by coaching the IU club team - for 10 years.  

[TennZip]

She grew up in Copley.    She lives in Fairlawn now.   She was an excellent player for Dayton.   She has done great stuff in a short time at CWRU.   This year will be tough with the mess left behind by HURL-I-HY....(emphasis on Hurl...as in upchuck)......

 I am very positive about this hire.

[Z.I.P.]

4 hours ago, mes102 said:

Jen Simonetti hired as the new head coach. Here's the link to the press release on athletic website and some of her bio below. Hope she does well, but if this is the best Guthrie could have done this summer on short notice, should have just hired an interim and seen what candidates would have been interested with more off season time after this upcoming season. There is no reason why a college coach looks at Akron and thinks they can't make the women's program successful here. The men's team has done really well on the national stage and that could be a selling point to candidates. However, we're reaching into the lower divisions/NAIA ranks again....

Jen Simonetti named Akron Women's Soccer Head Coach

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jennifer Simonetti has been named the new head coach of The University of Akron (UA) women's soccer program, Director of Athletics Charles Guthrie announced today.  

Sorry if I'm Debbie Downer, but this is another 2 or 3 year interim hire. Not sure what the WSoc salary is, but it's clear to me that outstanding candidates would not be interested in this job!  Why not?

[fknbuflobo]

UA had to act quickly.  June/July is absolutely the worst time of year for a Soccer coaching regime change.  Based solely on her biography, UA are lucky to land Simonetti on such short notice.

 

There is no tradition of excellence with UA WSOC. An accomplished coach is not coming to Akron. Hopefully, that will change soon.  Excellence must begin somewhere.  I say give Simonetti a good chance.

 

[72 Roo]

I'm not thrilled by this hire, but I believe Guthrie finds good people. Our womens program has potential out the ass while simultaneously being a dumpster fire. If Jen can put out the fire and build a team that can go deep in the playoffs I'll be happy. I know that is asking a lot, but the men have set a standard and the women should follow their lead.