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A lot of us — including me — want Kevin Grimes to be named the next SMU coach. But once the sentimental element is pushed aside, what qualities are needed in the next coach?

1. Recruiting
North Texas has as much soccer talent as any region in the country. Doesn't matter if the new coach gets players from down the street or halfway around the world, but he has to be able to relate to players and get top-shelf talent to SMU.

2. Proven in-game coaching
Assembling a team and actually coaching a team are two entirely different things. Assembling a team, or recruiting talent, is vital, but if a coach is able to recruit but can't coach worth a damn — see Greg Ryan (and to be honest, he's not that great at assembling talent, either) — then he's not worth it. Rolling a ball out on the field and telling the players "go play" will not get us to the College Cup, much less help us win it.

3. Carry weight within the athletic department
We're in Texas, so football is — and always will be — king. But soccer always has been a great sport at SMU, and needs to remain that way. Someone who knows the tradition of winning at SMU and can continue it.

4. Reputation
Media have to want to talk to the new coach. Recruits have to want to play for him. Athletic department personnel have to want his opinion. Top-shelf opponents have to want to play us — including at Westcott Field.

5. Success
Doesn't matter how much potential a coach has, he has to have a history of success. Victories. Titles. Coaching awards. Not some of the above — all of the above.

What am I forgetting?

be able to get kicked in the nuts without flinching

I've seen a lot of SMU soccer games, and that skill has rarely been needed.

jkflamebo wrote:be able to get kicked in the nuts without flinching

A

WildHorse wrote:A lot of us — including me — want Kevin Grimes to be named the next SMU coach. But once the sentimental element is pushed aside, what qualities are needed in the next coach?

1. Recruiting
North Texas has as much soccer talent as any region in the country. Doesn't matter if the new coach gets players from down the street or halfway around the world, but he has to be able to relate to players and get top-shelf talent to SMU.

2. Proven in-game coaching
Assembling a team and actually coaching a team are two entirely different things. Assembling a team, or recruiting talent, is vital, but if a coach is able to recruit but can't coach worth a damn — see Greg Ryan (and to be honest, he's not that great at assembling talent, either) — then he's not worth it. Rolling a ball out on the field and telling the players "go play" will not get us to the College Cup, much less help us win it.

3. Carry weight within the athletic department
We're in Texas, so football is — and always will be — king. But soccer always has been a great sport at SMU, and needs to remain that way. Someone who knows the tradition of winning at SMU and can continue it.

4. Reputation
Media have to want to talk to the new coach. Recruits have to want to play for him. Athletic department personnel have to want his opinion. Top-shelf opponents have to want to play us — including at Westcott Field.

5. Success
Doesn't matter how much potential a coach has, he has to have a history of success. Victories. Titles. Coaching awards. Not some of the above — all of the above.

What am I forgetting?

Sounds like Kevin meets all these criteria as well as bleeding Mustang Red and blue.

Connect/Interact with deep pockets donors to create a first class college soccer facility - we've got the field/turf - we need all the amenities. Use the TCU soccer stadium as a model and build on that. Our programs have been wa-a-a-ay too good to still be playing in a ghetto-style stadium like we have now.

Good call - has to be able to schmooze with the deep-pockets types.

Dark horse candidate: Giampaulo Pedroso

Isn't he in coaching and deeply immersed in the Dallas (read: youth soccer/recruiting) community?

jkflamebo wrote:be able to get kicked in the nuts without flinching

halo 3 fanboy?

That was one of the more clear sack shots I found. No accounting for the name on the jersey.

91Stang wrote:Dark horse candidate: Giampaulo Pedroso

A sentimental favorite, and a terrific player at SMU, but he doesn't have nearly enough coaching experience.

here's a nice header

http://www.break.com/index/soccerballs15.html

jkflamebo wrote:here's a nice header

http://www.break.com/index/soccerballs15.html

Yeah, but watch this puppy all the way through, yeah not a header or a kick to the undercarriage, but, just watch (and again watch the full thing) -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yxLlZkknv0