After winning the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference in 2009, the women’s soccer team underwent coaching changes at the top this summer.
Craig Shaw, who coached the Lady Braves the last three years, amounted a 38-20-3 (21-5-1 in the conference) record over his time as coach.
In 2009, he coached the women to an undefeated conference record and first NAIA National Tournament appearance in team history.
Shaw will be the head coach of Fort Hays State University’s new women’s soccer team, which will start competition in the fall of 2011.
Shaw said that it was tough to leave, but he felt he made the right choice.
“There were many reasons,” he said. “It was too good of an opportunity to turn down a school that has Division II soccer. It was a hard decision to leave, but it’s a great opportunity.”
Since Shaw will not be coaching this fall, he will be touring the country scouting for his new team.
“At the moment I’m travelling America recruiting,” Shaw said. “I’ve been to Colorado, Kansas City, Oklahoma and Texas.”
Sophomore defender Carley Bonnett said the team misses Shaw, but they are also excited to have new head coach Marc Gordon on board.
“We were all upset, but some were more than others,” she said. “Coach Gordon is a good guy. We beat Emporia State, so that was a pretty good start to the season.”
Athletic’s Director Arabie Conner said that the hiring of Gordon was a positive one for the University.
“We are extremely excited about what Coach Gordon brings to the program and to the OU community,” Conner said. “We believe his professionalism, coaching knowledge and commitment to building a successful team in all dimensions will continue to move our women’s soccer program in a positive direction.”
Gordon has been a staff coach with the Pride Soccer Club in Colorado Spring, Colo. the last six years. Before that he was coaching at Holy Names University in Oakland, Calif., and Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kan.
In a press release about the hiring, Gordon expressed his excitement about his new coaching opportunity.
“I have been blessed with the opportunity to be coaching at the collegiate level again,” he said. “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to coach these women who have created such excellence in a very short time.”