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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 Columbia makes Ficken retire after 27 years as coach. Rammel resigns at Saint Mary's to join MLS Galaxy.
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NCAA notes Hennessy hopes to end Delaware losing streak as new coach.
SoccerTimes NEWARK, Del. (Tuesday, January 24, 2006) -- Ian Hennessy is not one to shy from a challenge and as University of Delaware's new head coach, there is plenty of work to do. The Blue Hens, who have had a men's soccer program since 1926, have suffered nine straight losing seasons, leading to the November retirement of Marc Samonisky after he posted a 56-160-22 (.281) record over 13 years. "It is exciting, and more of an opportunity than a challenge to me," Hennessy said. "I'm delighted. . . I think I can turn certain aspects around quickly. With the facilities and support we have here, (Delaware) can be a big winner" in the Colonial Athletic Conference. Hennessy, 39 and a former All-American at Seton Hall, took a roundabout way to his first collegiate head coaching position. After receiving his bachelor's degree from Seton Hall in 1990, he went on to earn his doctorate of in molecular biology from Columbia in 2001. While pursuing higher education, he played professionally for both indoor and top minor-league outdoor clubs, and he made a brief appearance in Major League Soccer with the MetroStars during the league's inaugural 1996 season. Hennessy joined the college coaching ranks as an assistant at Rutgers in 2001 with the Scarlet Knights finishing with a 15-7-3 (.660) record and advancing to the NCAA Division I tournament Round of 16. The native of Cork and one-time Ireland youth international, Hennessy then moved on to Boston College where he served the past four years as an assistant to Ed Kelly, the coach who brought him to Seton Hall. During Hennessy's time, the Eagles had a 42-26-8 (.605) and won the 2002 Big East title. BC advanced to NCAA quarterfinals in 2002 and Round of 16 in 2004. In 2005, BC made its Atlantic Coast Conference debut with a 5-9-2 (.375) mark. As the 11th men's head coach in Delaware's men's soccer history -- which dates back to 1926 -- and only the third since 1963, Hennessy faces the rigors of one on Division I's better conferences. Members, such as Old Dominion, Virginia Commonwealth, James Madison, William & Mary, Hofstra and George Mason, have displayed considerable success in recent times. The Blue Hens were 2-12-4 in 2005, but Hennessy said there was more talent on the team than its record might indicate. He hopes that instilling "intangibles" into his team will establish a new culture of success. "We're looking to provide my own climate here, a value system that is a little different than what they're used to," he said. "And to get them to the other side of .500. . . Obviously, I want to win more than we lose." Hennessy also stressed he wanted a team that enjoyed its time on the field. not only a team that bought into his system. "What's the work ethic here? In there creativity?" would be the first questions he said he'd like answered. "I want to instill confidence in the team to be confident. I want smiles on (the team's) faces when they're playing." Hennessy will be inducted into the Seton Hall Athletics Hall of Fame on February 9 following a career (1986-89) in which his accomplishments still rank among the school's all-time leaders -- second with 52 goals, fourth with 30 assists and second with 134 points." Hennessy said he will complete his staff soon, noting that assistant coach Greg Forte will return for a third season on the Newark campus, but the other assistant, Brian Gillespie will not be back. Ross ends tenure as VMI coach
Ross had the most coaching victories in VMI history, but led the Keydets to only two winning seasons and never had a winning mark in conference. VMI was 92-196-16 (.329) under Ross. "Steve Ross has done an outstanding job leading and growing our men's soccer program," VMI athletic director Donny White said in a school press release. " I feel that the program is in great shape to move forward for success," White promised a national search for a new coach. VMI moved from the Southern Conference to the Big South in 2003. Ross was named Southern Conference "Coach of the Year" in 2001 when the Keydets were 6-11-1. The Big South honored him as "Coach of the Year" in 2004 when his 10-9-1 team set school records for victories (10), consecutive wins (5), winning percentage (.526) and goals (44). In Ross' final season, VMI went 8-10-1, but shocked second-seeded Radford with its first Big South tournament victory in the first round. Ross, twice the recipient of the VMI Distinguished Coaching Award, graduated from the Institute in 1983 with a degree in economics after he was a co-captain of the 1982 Keydets. He also has a master's degree from the University of Arkansas. Miller is let go as Coastal Carolina women's coach
Under Miller, CCU had its best season in 2005, going 13-6, but was eliminated by Charleston Southern in the first round of the Big South tournament. The Lady Chanticleers set a school record for victories, winning percentage (.684) and led the Big South in goals (52), assists (43) and points (147) Freshman striker Blair Monroe was named league "Freshman of the Year" and was joined on the All-Big South first team by seniors Bobbie Parsons, a forward-midfielder, and Kristina Fisher, a midfielder-defender. Freshman striker Chelsea Terry was picked for the second team.. Miller led the Lady Chants to a 47-50-16 (.487) record since starting the program in 2000. She was named Big South "Coach of the Year" in 2000 and 2003.
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. |
