 "Photo: Tim Glass/Arizona Daily Wildcat")
Lisa Oyen has been named the new head soccer coach just four days after the Arizona soccer team’s final game of the season, Arizona Athletic Director Jim Livengood announced.
“I’m very thankful to be given this opportunity,” Oyen said through a statement on the team’s website Thursday. “I’m very optimistic about the future of the program.”
Oyen is the fourth head coach in the program’s history. She succeeds former head coach Dan Tobias.
Tobias resigned on Oct. 12 due to personal reasons, five days after former player Leila Amini said the program had been deteriorating over the last few years. Oyen will attempt to bring success to a program from which the previous three head coaches have resigned.
Oyen was an assistant under Tobias for eight years at UA (2002-2009) and two at Washington State (2001-2002).
Oyen played collegiate soccer at Montana, where she was a starting midfielder. She also played for two years with the Miami Gliders of the United Soccer League Southeastern Division.
Players were told to meet at McKale Center for a team meeting at 5 p.m. Thursday evening, and were surprised with the news that the head coaching decision had already been made.
“No one really knew what to expect because we’d been through a long season. We were surprised but at the same time excited,” said redshirt junior Alex Davis. “It’ll be good for the program because it’ll be a smooth transition since they already know us.
“I had no idea that they would make the decision this week,” she added. “We thought that maybe it would be a couple weeks.”
According to Davis, Oyen’s fellow co-interim head coach from the second half of the year, John Galas, will return as her assistant.
Do not see much talent in 3-4 years.
And everybody knows that the Slammers like to buy girls ,into their rosters.
But, the PARENTS and coaches already know the Slammers sales pitch-- NOT working anymore.
I was very surprised that YOU did not mention Arsenal.
They are beginning to make a move as THE CLUB.
The team finished SECOND in premier.
Way head of Slammers.
(I do like Blues in this age group ONLY. Slammers..LMAO. Surf- Yes, good teams.)Irvine had to PURCHASE those teams because of NIKE.
Without premier teams, NIKE goes away and is NO LONGER associated with Irvine.
Irvine did not want to loose that PAYCHECK from NIKE.
Note:
Because the Infinity teams moved to Irvine, (more than seven players from the Infinity team are on the Irvine roster.).
Then, Coast soccer-Cal South allows the moving team ...to keep its status ( (ie., Premier).
Very common.
Sounds like your facts are not well understood.
PS- I do agree that Irvine is a THRID TIER CLUB.
If it was not for Solar's two teams...this club would be well BELOW Average.
This club has been going down for YEARS.
The focus is on Solar and his teams/players.
Personnally, I would of NOT moved the tesms to Irvine.
I will expect to SEE LISA this weekend, in S. Cal.
Steve's teams are playinng in the Oak Polo grounds, (local CSL tournament.: Semi's and championship games)
Actually, Nov21,22 will have the semifinal and championship games ,of the tournament.So, YOU can see for yourself.Oak s Polo Grounds.
Hope to see everyone.
This is where we were introduced.He has a premier team in GU16. (going to be GU17)
Finished 2nd but, should of WON IT.
Nice group of recruits.
I believe this team was the Infinity team.
(Irvine was able to "buy" the Infinity team into their club.)More postives in recruiting.
Steve also has a GU15 gold team. (Going to be GU16 premier)
Again, Irvine "paid" for this team (transfers from Infinity)
More top players.Going to be GU15:
Steve knows all the TOP players.
And he has coached these players from a YOUTH age.
Parents know Steve and MOST will follow QUICKLY.
Get better ......Get better recruits.
He is one of the new-up& comers.
And he can recruit.He will be a good assist coach.
The conerns did reach Jim L. and he issued a comment of support.
Again, it is a reflection of the poor internal UofA information and communication.
But, when NINE players transfer out.
HELLO...........major problems.
The only reason JIM L. did not clean house?
I have spoken to LIsa in the past. Nice lady.
And several TOP100 players, GU15, were planning to do the soccer camp.
(all premier players, goes without saying: from S.Cal).Time to MOVE on RECRUITING...If Lisa can offer , at least FOUR of these premier players scholie's,,,,,,,,,,,
The ones that I like are : Betty (Top 15 defender ,with size,speed,vision and socccer IQ)
the Nat's (nice big forward with speed....Talk to Jimmie)
The Sam (strong,fast forward; lefty....)
Bianca (top mid, defender, size and speed)
Laura G. (from the Slammers is another, slammers)
Daniel G. (rich soccer family)Most of the top players know each other.When should these players VISIT the UofA.
VERY SOON.
NOTE-- These players visit ARIZONA on a yearly basis.
YOU can check them out in the Tournament.
The Soreno tournament.
Get to them early.....
Because YOU are NOT involved with S.Cal soccer.IF you read my other comment, it discussed Irvine.
Solar can bring in the top recruits. Trust me.
And THEY WILL COME!
Note:
Jim L. hire was a LAZY one and rathe uneducated.
He and his advisor really have no comprehension of soccer.
Lisa was given a GOLDN opportunity.
A PAC10 coaching positon, with no HC experience.Lisa....YOU should already know who Steve is.
Someone from your Tucson Club(s) is a friend of Solar.
Bring him or YOU will fail rather quickly.One year is what you have.
One shot to make a name for yourself.
I hope so.Lisa's biggest decision is the hiring of assistant coach.
Solar from Irvine would be a strong recommendation.
Can she make it happen quickly?
Jim didn't realize that the NCAA tournament has started today.
And all the TOP50 Head Coaches are in this tournament.Did Jim just look at $$ and made the decision.
Like I said, Solar would be a good addition to the staff.
If Lisa acts as quickly as Jim did....then, SS would be a good addition.
Bear Down.
One TOP coach to consider is Steve.
He has coached numerous premier teams in S.Cal. He has nationally ranked teams, from Irvine.
Steve would be a great addition from a coaching perspective ;but more importantly, RECRUITING the riches soccer talent of S. Cal.
Note:
Steve S. in known by Tucson club coach...which came from Long Beach/Infinity club.
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