tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198732413882406269.post3608738382437409216..comments2023-10-14T19:01:03.490-04:00Comments on The Fullback Files: Random Pings...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14548145598767127627noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198732413882406269.post-63837009551082676952009-10-01T15:28:41.945-04:002009-10-01T15:28:41.945-04:00Fair points.
I think another thing to consider ab...Fair points.<br /><br />I think another thing to consider about college players is just how many of them are not only going to be landing on rosters, but are going to be expected to produce given the continued expansion of the league.<br /><br />Here's hoping more MLS head coaching gigs leads to a wider pool of experienced coaches to choose from as well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198732413882406269.post-40759802375763939712009-09-30T19:34:19.828-04:002009-09-30T19:34:19.828-04:00I get what you're saying; but I wonder how muc...I get what you're saying; but I wonder how much of an empirical difference there would be if one lined up former college players versus former players versus former MLS assistants. My hunch is that each category has its share of Schellas'. The one category that is a no go is guys coming in from foreign leagues.<br /><br />I also don't think the college ranks just fill out rosters (that was poorly stated on my part). I think they yield some stars and some good role players and given that the under 18 stars are more than likely to flee to Europe these days, these guys are going to be the bread and butter of the league for a while. We tend ot knock the college game too much in this country and yet it is very vibrant and still expanding.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198732413882406269.post-18936485039132098632009-09-30T19:15:12.241-04:002009-09-30T19:15:12.241-04:00College players and professionals are different an...College players and professionals are different animals who need different things from a manager. Also, the professional environment is much different from an academic one.<br /><br />I'm not saying that gap can't be bridged, but I don't think the exceptions (Arena, et al) prove the rule. For every Sigi, there's a Schellas. Excellent college coaches don't always make good professional managers.<br /><br />Note that I'm not saying it's not a route to explore, but I think a college guy faces a much harder transition now than in the early days of MLS.<br /><br />As for the identifying college talent angle...identifying roster filler doesn't exactly fall high on my priorities in what to look for in a manager, particularly given that much of the player identification/acquisition will be in front office hands.<br /><br />I'm not trying to be a huge ass about this, but I'd prefer to go with somebody used to working within the confines of the league structure and with professional players before I'd dip into the college ranks.<br /><br />Just my opinion though, and I'm sure nobody's going to be asking me before they pull the trigger ;-).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198732413882406269.post-8912224345053325792009-09-30T11:44:26.134-04:002009-09-30T11:44:26.134-04:00I'm not sure Cirovski would take it, but Bruce...I'm not sure Cirovski would take it, but Bruce, Bob and Sigi have demonstrated that college coaches can do okay in this league. <br /><br />Given that MLS relies heavily on college talent to fill out its rosters, a college coach is not a bad way to go -- particularly one that identify talent and organize it. Would also consider Vidovich at Wake Forest.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198732413882406269.post-12073239309720519672009-09-29T20:52:45.975-04:002009-09-29T20:52:45.975-04:00@Eric
Right you are. I was just looking at the USL...<b>@Eric</b><br />Right you are. I was just looking at the USL playoffs and saw that they're through to the semifinals. Combined with the excellent results they've been getting in the Champions' League over the last two years (with quite a few United rejects, I might add), Clarke is a solid option.<br /><br /><b>@Anon</b><br />Harkes...no. Rongen...no. Cirovski? Maybe, though he doesn't have the MLS background, and I wonder if we'd be getting Hyndman, Mark II? Jaime and Ben should be on the bench next year, either as assistants or as player/coaches, but I wouldn't give either the top job just yet.<br /><br />Marco?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198732413882406269.post-58785302205028639202009-09-29T17:03:20.448-04:002009-09-29T17:03:20.448-04:00John Harkes is probably interested. Rongen might ...John Harkes is probably interested. Rongen might also want another try. I wouldn't mind seeing if we could get Sasho Cirovski. Then there is also the possibility of moving Jaime or Ben into the coaching ranks a la Preki or Kreiss.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198732413882406269.post-73000919363761514052009-09-29T15:56:21.217-04:002009-09-29T15:56:21.217-04:00I'd add Colin Clarke to the list of coaching c...I'd add Colin Clarke to the list of coaching candidates. He has worked wonders with Puerto Rico Islanders.Eric Lowehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16861440095424013244noreply@blogger.com