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2005 NCAA Division I Men's All-Americans 2005 NCAA Division I Men's Tournament results
2005 NCAA Division I Women's All-Americans 2005 NCAA Division I Women's Tournament results Rammel resigns at Saint Mary's to join MLS Galaxy.
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NCAA Columbia makes Ficken retire after 27 years as coach.
By Gary Davidson
(Friday, January 13, 2006) -- Dieter Ficken had planned to patrol the Columbia sideline for at least one more year, but the school had other ideas about their legendary coach's future. And, after some soul-searching, Ficken acceded today to the athletic department administration's wishes and stepped down, ending a 27-year tenure at the Ivy League institution. "I'm officially retired from Columbia University," Ficken said this afternoon. "Kevin Anderson is the interim head coach. "Columbia felt it was time for me to retire. I'm not going to speculate (why). I had 27 great years at Columbia. They are fabulous people at Columbia. I loved being there." Ficken, 61, arrived at the New York City campus in 1979 and led the Lions to a 252-139-53 (.627) overall record, eight Ivy League titles, 11 NCAA tournament berths and one national championship match. Only five of his teams had losing records, but his two worst marks came in the last two seasons -- 4-10-3 in 2004 and 4-12-1 last fall. Still, Ficken expected big things from the 2006 Lions, saying they might be as good as the 1983 team which finished 18-1, losing only to Indiana 1-0 in a second overtime period in the NCAA title match. He feels his past two recruiting classes were among his best and the current one "was shaping up as another prime class." "I would have loved to remain for one reason and one reason only," said Ficken, who was born in Germany, but grew up in Brooklyn. "Of all the teams we've had over the years, this one may be the closest to my 1983 team. . . "I loved my kids (players) and I'd like to think we had a great time together. I always wanted to make soccer a wholesome, healthy, fun time together." Ficken will be missed by his players. "It's not fun to see him go," said junior defender Greg Cass. "I know a lot of the guys feel like that. We learned a lot through him about soccer, (but) when the athletic department decided to make a change, the team pulls together. "I think Dieter knew more about soccer than anyone ever. He also knew how the game applied to a college student. A lot of guys appreciated that. It seemed like he had a story or an experienced for just about everything, soccer or just life." Junior attacker John Mulhern was another sorry to see Ficken go, "I've always had a good relationship (with him)," he said. "He's a good coach. He knows what he's doing." M. Dianne Murphy, Columbia director of intercollegiate athletics and physical education was out of the office and could not be reached, said a department official, who noted that a national search for a new coach had begun. Anderson is in his second year as an assistant coach at Columbia. A collegiate midfielder at George Mason and Southern Connecticut State who went on to play for two seasons in Major League Soccer, he also served under Ficken in 1997. Ficken's began his coaching career in 1974 as an assistant at his alma mater, Long Island University. After two years, he was elevated to the head position where he compiled a 39-7-7 record. In 30 years as a head coach, he record is 281-146-60 (.639). Recruiting at Columbia was harder than at most schools because the Ivy League does not have athletic scholarships -- only those for need -- and academic standards are high, but Ficken enjoyed the process. His search for players took him to Ireland, England, Scotland, Iceland, Trinidad & Tobago and Jamaica, as well as up and down the Eastern Seaboard. Those who joined the Lions, "they're just wonderful kids, the cream of the academic crop that can play soccer," Ficken said. "I got to see America on Columbia's money. I never minded traveling to Boston or South Jersey." Ficken was not particularly enjoying his first day of retirement. "It's going to take awhile (to get used to it)," he said. "I'm usually out of the house at 6:30 (a.m.). Now, it's noon and I'm cleaning the garage. It's a totally different life for me." Ficken doesn't plan to be inactive long. He said he has already inquired about becoming a youth coach at a couple of Long Island, N.Y., clubs. "I can't wait to get a group of 12-year-olds and teach them the game," he said. "I think there's a need for my experience." Sanchez is named UNLV coach LAS VEGAS -- Mario Sanchez was recently named men's coach at Nevada-Las Vegas. Sanchez, who was an assistant to Ken Lolla at Akron the last three years, became the fourth head coach in the 32-year history of the Rebels program. He replaced Barry Barto, who was reassigned in December after 24 seasons at the helm. UNLV was 2-16-1 in 2005. Barto's overall record leading the Rebels was 221-200-38 (.523), giving him a 30-year total of 306-225-44 (.570). Akron was 18-1-4 last season and spent part of the year ranked No. 1 before being eliminated in penalty kicks in the NCAA tournament quarterfinals by eventual champion Maryland. Sanchez also served as an assistant coach from 1999-2003 at Fresno State, which competed against UNLV in the Mountain West Sports Federation before dropping the sport. Sanchez was a four-year starter and captain for two years at Fresno from 1993-97, graduating with a degree in business administration.
Gary Davidson is SoccerTimes managing editor. E-mail Gary Davidson. Do you have a comment on this story or something to say about soccer in general? Send us a letter. |
