2008 Woodie Awards
COMMENTARY: Keeping Rudy as coach great for program
Eli Rosenswaike, Collegian Columnist
Issue date: 9/2/08 Section: Sports
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Two Final Four appearances (with two different programs; the only women's coach to do so), one national runner-up team, 12 NCAA tournament appearances and over 300 career wins - fourth most in NCAA Division I history.
He's coached legendary players (Briana Scurry, Michelle Akers and April Kater) and over 20 former players of his are currently coaching. He is one of the best goalkeeper coaches in the country, as three of his former players suited up for the U.S. National Team. His impact is lasting, and has been felt all over the soccer landscape.
Rudy enters his 21st season at UMass, and his 28th coaching in Division I - he spent seven years directing the Central Florida sidelines before coming to Amherst. Those seven years were remarkable, as Rudy guided the Golden Knights to a 74-23-6 overall record (.748) and made deep runs in the NCAA tournament.
The past seven years here haven't gone as well. His record over that time stands at 55-61-4 (.458) and only once has he guided his team to the Atlantic 10 tournament - let alone the NCAA tournament.
So has he lost his coaching brilliance? Is he washed up?
UMass athletic director John McCutcheon certainly doesn't think so - recently extending Rudy's contract, ensuring the long-time coach of the Minutewomen will be here at least through the 2010 season.
Good move.
Although Rudy says he hadn't heard any whispers that his time was numbered here, the thought must have crossed his mind. UMass has a proud tradition in soccer, and the results (record-wise) just haven't been there lately. In college sports, if you don't win, you're gone. It's that simple.
"I hadn't heard that from anybody," he said, regarding any previous rumors he could be out as coach. "Every once in a while you'll hit the soccer forums that quote 'people in the know,' and they bounce around names and stuff. My name never came up on that."
Thankfully, McCutcheon knows what he's doing. He knows to look beyond the record and see Rudy for what he is: a phenomenal coach, a great leader and a person who does things the right way. Along with men's coach Sam Koch, Rudy is UMass soccer. It's been a long time since this program knew anybody but them, and now's not the time to find out.
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