The Online Reflector

By Micah McVicker | Editorial Assistant

Nov. 10 marked the end of head coach John Griffin’s tenure as men’s soccer coach, as he compiled an 8-7-2 (6-7-1 GLVC) record in his  sixth season. The Greyhounds finished 10th in the conference, two games behind eighth-seeded University of Missouri-St. Louis. With the talent assembled, players felt they could have extended their season.

“He [Griffin] brought in a lot of guys. Especially this year, there were a lot of freshmen and sophomores who stepped up,”  said senior forward Diego Lemus. “We have the talent to go past the first round [of the GLVC Tournament]. [And] we didn’t even make the tournament”

For now, assistant coach John Higgins has been given the interim position.

“My job right now is to stay here until Feb. 1, or until they appoint somebody,” Higgins said.  “The goal for me is to keep things moving forward, to keep progressing, make sure the players we’ve got here are happy and bring in the best players that I can until a decision is made.”

No matter who is named to succeed Griffin, expectations surrounding the team will probably be high, as the current roster features 17 freshmen and sophomores, with many in key spots. Justin Roberts, the starting goalkeeper, finished his sophomore season.

When Athletic Director Sue Willey met with the players on Nov. 10, she emphasized how the program is not looking in the rearview mirror though the team is experiencing a period of transition.

“We’re moving forward. [I’ll] give them the time frame to reassure them about scholarships and the concerns that they have whenever you learn that the head coach is resigning, stepping down or moving on. It’s the basic stuff that student-athletes want to know about the process for a new coach,” she said.

Willey exhibited no concern about the possibility of players transferring.

“For the most part, once they’re here, it’s about their teammates. It becomes less about the coach. It becomes more about the institution and the environment and their teammates,” Willey said. “I think they’re going to want to stay here and turn the program into a more positive situation.”

She also believes the season should have included a postseason berth.

“When you look at the talent we had and compared it to the other schools in the conference, they were good enough to make it to the conference tournament,” Willey said. “A lot of times, when you have a young team, it’s the freshmen coming in that have no preconceived notions about other teams. Sometimes it’s easier for teams to be successful when they’re a little bit younger.”

The team agreed that the 2009 season could have included postseason play.

“The potential was there to go really far and do really well. There was definitely positive signs and there was definitely the feeling the program was going in the right direction,” Higgins said.

Lemus said he is confident that the ‘Hounds will be successful right away, regardless of who succeeds Griffin, the winningest coach (by percentage) in program history.

“I think the guys have enough confidence it really doesn’t affect much. They have the talent to go forward,” Lemus said. “They have a really good base for the future. Hopefully it’s going to a good direction.”

Despite the coaching change, Higgins remains focused on the future.

“We had a young team. My role right now is to keep the guys happy and keep the program moving forward as much as I can, as best I can,” he said.

“I’m clear on my role-I want to keep things moving forward. I want to keep the guys progressing. I want to keep improving and getting better. I got a job to do at the university and I’m going to do it to the best of my ability.”