The unofficial online home for fans of the UAB Blazers. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

Keep in mind that for many of the minor sports, Gene Bartow kept some coaches way too long. Jeannie Milling had around 15 losing seasons in a row and wasn't ever let go until the lawsuits started piling up.

Getman had such a long career at UAB. Feels strange to be searching for a soccer coach. If I had to guess, we'll go after an assistant at a successful D1 program. Not a lot of those in our part of the country. Of course that didn't matter when we hired Coach G.

Kentucky has a strong team and somebody up there is aware of soccer in this state. They've signed a couple of Alabama guys in the last few years that would have been impact players for UAB. I might start there but there is no telling what Ingram will do.

I understand the losing records but I also think about all the great years we had playing at WCF. Just sucks that we couldn't get more facility upgrades THEN when we had the momentum. We got ranked, made NCAA tournaments and had crowds in the thousands but never had a real concession stand or proper bathrooms. Most D2 programs (and 7A schools) around the state have had those in place for years.

Oh well. Hope we can make a good hire and get things going again.

(11-15-2018 05:32 PM)BlazerGreen Wrote:  Getman had such a long career at UAB. Feels strange to be searching for a soccer coach. If I had to guess, we'll go after an assistant at a successful D1 program. Not a lot of those in our part of the country. Of course that didn't matter when we hired Coach G.

Kentucky has a strong team and somebody up there is aware of soccer in this state. They've signed a couple of Alabama guys in the last few years that would have been impact players for UAB. I might start there but there is no telling what Ingram will do.

I understand the losing records but I also think about all the great years we had playing at WCF. Just sucks that we couldn't get more facility upgrades THEN when we had the momentum. We got ranked, made NCAA tournaments and had crowds in the thousands but never had a real concession stand or proper bathrooms. Most D2 programs (and 7A schools) around the state have had those in place for years.

Oh well. Hope we can make a good hire and get things going again.

Heck, the old pitch had a huge electrical pole that blocked the view from certain points in the bleachers. I agree it’s a shame that Getman has to go now that facilities have been significantly upgraded, but it was time.

One of Getman's former players is arguing on Twitter with me that Mike Getman is as important to the school as Gene Bartow is.

I calmed down before posting

(11-15-2018 11:51 PM)Memphis Blazer Wrote:  One of Getman's former players is arguing on Twitter with me that Mike Getman is as important to the school as Gene Bartow is.

I calmed down before posting

Hit em with 4 straight losing seasons. Been playing at BBVA compass field since ‘15. Haven’t had a winning record since we made the Ncaa tournament in ‘14. So, what’s the real excuse? why didn’t he recruit well with that momentum? There’s no room in any type of athletics from college to pro for riding it out to retirements and getting complacent. We want results and if we don’t get em, we’ll be left behind. it’s already been done twice.

I doubt UAB goes in this direction but if they were looking to save $ and get a quality coach, Matthew Thorne at West Alabama has done a tremendous job. Took UWA program from bottom dweller to Gulf South Champion and winning games in the D2 NCAA tournament. Beat Memphis and UAB in exhibition games. Coached the Hammers in their last season this summer. Fact that he's a great guy an added bonus.

Be a good fallback option but I'm really hoping we can maybe bump the salary a bit and aim higher. We're going to have the facilities for a perennial top-25 program. Need the right coach to make it happen.

Here's one list of prospects: Top Men's Soccer Assistants 2017

*Didn't realize New Mexico was shutting down their men's program. They went to the Final Four in '13. Big loss for C-USA soccer.