by J.P. Hoornstra
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
Pressed to fill the head men’s soccer coaching vacancy
with either a former U.S. National Team coach, a Division I head
coach, or a real estate worker from Florida, UCLA had found its man
by Tuesday afternoon.
“I got a real estate license, which I enjoy,” said
Tom Fitzgerald, “but coaching is in my blood.”
Fitzgerald, 51, has expansive credentials in coaching that far
outshine those in selling homes: three consecutive MLS Eastern
Conference Finals appearances with the Columbus Crew, four seasons
as an assistant coach with the U.S. Men’s National
“B” team, and a 132-32-11 record in nine seasons at
Tampa University (Div. II).
Since his tenure with the Crew ended six games into the 2001
season, Fitzgerald found high-profile coaching opportunities to be
few and far between.
In addition to working in real estate, Fitzgerald coached youth
teams in Florida, where he began as a high school coach in Tampa in
1978.
“I’m so excited about the challenge to come to
UCLA,” he said. “(Considering) the other two
candidates, I feel very fortunate.”
Fitzgerald was chosen over Steve Sampson and Paul Krumpe, two
Bruin alumni who also boast impressive reputations within the
soccer realm.
Sampson coached the U.S. National Team from 1995-98 and led the
Americans to a World Cup finals berth in his final year. He played
and coached at UCLA, serving as an assistant on the 1985 NCAA
championship team.
Krumpe, who is the current head coach at Loyola Marymount, also
played for and coached at UCLA. He co-captained the 1985 NCAA title
team as a player and was an assistant coach for the 1997 title
run.
According to associate athletic director Betsy Stephenson,
Fitzgerald was selected for “his college and pro experience,
his ability to relate to players, and the energy and enthusiasm he
would bring.”
Fitzgerald already had connections to Westwood, too. Current
Bruin assistant coach Jorge Salcedo played for Fitzgerald as a
member of the Columbus Crew in 1997.
“I know Jorge very well,” Fitzgerald said.
“He’s done a great job as a player and as a coach. Both
(he and goalkeeping coach Peter van de Ven) are from California,
and that’s very important for me initially.”
In 1974, Fitzgerald graduated from the University of South
Florida with a degree in education. Under ordinary circumstances,
this might have gotten lost in the details. But the coaching
vacancy opened for Fitzgerald only after Todd Saldaña stepped
down in January, when it was discovered his bachelor’s degree
was obtained from an unaccredited university.
“We verified his undergraduate education at South Florida
University,” said Stephenson.
“I knew my degree was a good degree,” Fitzgerald
said, “but I knew they had to ask questions (about
it).”
The Bruin recruiting class added another member yesterday, which
should make Fitzgerald’s transition easier. Lukas Mehring,
who led Malibu High School to the CIF championship last year,
signed a national letter of intent.
He and five other players ““ Evan Corey, Michael Gardner,
Jordan Harvey, Eric Reed and Nate Pena ““ form a tandem of
youth that should add depth to the Bruin team right away.
“With the players that we’ve signed, I think
we’re pretty much locked in for next year,” Fitzgerald
said. “We have a very exciting group returning and a very
exciting group of freshmen coming in.”
One of those returners, junior defender Scot Thompson, says he
will keep an open mind when adapting to the style of his new coach.
At the same time, he expects to benefit from his Fitzgerald’s
experience.
“You kind of worry about a new coach coming in, but at the
same time, you want a definite leader that’s going to guide
the team,” he said. “Any time you get a pro coach
it’s a good thing.”