Jan. 22, 2002
PHILADELPHIA - Santa Clara University women's soccer head coach Jerry Smith was one of 10 National Championship coaches that were named NSCAA/adidas National Coach of the Year in their respective divisions at the NSCAA Awards Dinner Friday, during the 55th Annual NSCAA Convention in Philadelphia. In all, 11 collegiate, six high school and two youth coaches were recognized for their outstanding achievements in 2001.
Smith's Santa Clara team won the 2001 NCAA College Cup and finished as the top-ranked team in the NSCAA/adidas national rankings. Smith guided the Broncos to a 23-2 record and its first NCAA championship after eight semifinal appearances. His career mark stands at 242-60-15 in 15 years, making him the winningest coach in Santa Clara history.
Elmar Bolowich of North Carolina was named the men's Division I Coach of the Year. He guided the Tarheels to the 2001 NCAA title and the top spot in the NSCAA/adidas poll with a 21-4 record. Bolowich was the ACC Coach of the Year and the South Region Coach of the Year in 2000 and received the NSCAA National Merit Award in 1999.
The pool for National Coach of the Year selection included all Regional Coaches of the Year, as well as senior college coaches whose teams advanced to the national semifinals. Three coaches took advantage of this provision as Smith, Bob Barnes of Ohio Wesleyan (NCAA DIII) and Mike Giuliano from Westmont College (NAIA) each guided his respective women's program to a national title in 2001 on the road to National Coach of the Year honors.
Click Here for a complete roster of the recipients and their achivements.