Akron Coach Caleb Porter Turns Down DC United – Inks New Contract with Zips
It was reported yesterday by Ives Galarcep that the University of Akron’s head soccer coach Caleb Porter turned down Major League Soccer’s DC United’s offer to be their head coach. Instead the 35-year-old Porter inked a new contract with the Zips. Akron’s Athletic Director Tom Wistrcill announced Tuesday that Porter had signed a new contract for 5 more years, keeping him in Ohio until the 2014 season. Porter had previously signed in 2008.
“After reaching the pinnacle of college soccer this season, my vision will be to sustain the program for long-term success as one of the nation’s elite programs,” said Porter. “This an exciting time for Akron Soccer and with upgrades to the facility on the horizon I am confident we have all the resources necessary to continue competing for national championships for many years to come.”
Porter’s new contract shows the commitment that Minnesota’s Teal Bunbury, Hermann trophy finalist and star forward for the Zips, had previously spoken about in an earlier audio interview with Inside Minnesota Soccer. “I wanted to go to a school where soccer was the main sport,” said Bunbury. “Some other schools I was looking at, soccer wasn’t the main sport and didn’t have the support that I felt I needed to allow me get better….”
“This new contract shows the level of commitment the University is making to ensure the best collegiate coach remains at Akron and this program continues to be at the forefront of collegiate soccer for years to come,” Wistrcill said. “Since my arrival, I have made it a priority to do what is best for the Akron men’s soccer program and Dr. Proenza (Akron president) agrees that keeping Caleb is a must.”
There is some speculation that with the signing, Bunbury, who may be offered a chance to go pro after this season, may stay one more year to develop under Porter. The 2009 Akron roster had only 3 seniors on the squad. A full returning squad could mean another run at the 2010 NCAA championship.
Comments are closed.
Wow! That’s to be greatly admired. A young 35-yr old coach turns down an MLS job for a college job. That man clearly understands that he has a great future of coaching ahead of him, and is not jumping at the temptation of a reallly huge responsibility. Good work!
It’s also very encouraging that the university is making such a big comment to the sport we all support and care about.
There are a couple of pro prospects on this Akron squad. It will be tough for Teal and others to leave early after Porter set quite an example by turning down DC United.
Really though, this is the safe road for Porter, who will be a college coaching legend on par with Jerry Yeagley from IU if he stays in the college game long enough.
Akron’s committment to soccer is outstanding and obviously paying dividends.
Interesting new article up on Porter. WOW! He’ll be making $170,000 per season.
http://www.ohio.com/sports/zips/79476242.html
one of the commenters below the article stated that the board of trustees just approved a 1.7 million dollar improvement to the field.
Here is the follow-up article on the stadium improvements.
http://www.ohio.com/sports/79535902.html
a new, state-of-the-art field and irrigation system, new lights and new fencing around the stadium. The changes are scheduled to be in place for the 2010 season.
The second phase of the project, which he hopes will be completed for the 2011 season will include dugouts and a rest area for each team, a new grandstand, a new multipurpose press box/suite, concessions, public restrooms and event plaza. The Zips main locker room area is in the Stile Field House.