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For Immediate Release
January 24, 2006
WOMEN’S SOCCER COACH RESIGNS, JOINS
HUSKER STAFF
LINCOLN, Neb. — Taylor Haynes resigned his
position today as the head women’s soccer coach at Nebraska
Wesleyan University in order to accept a position as volunteer assistant
coach in the women’s soccer program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Taylor Haynes |
“This is a great opportunity for Taylor to
advance professionally,” Dr. Ira Zeff, NWU director of athletics,
said. “I’m excited for him and wish him the best.”
“I have a lot of respect for Nebraska’s
program,” Haynes said. “They have some of the best coaches
anywhere, and I feel honored to have the opportunity to learn from
the Huskers and contribute to their success.”
Under Haynes, Nebraska Wesleyan earned a pair of
conference runner-up finishes (2003 and 2004) prior to winning the
Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) regular season title in
2005. In his three seasons, the NWU women finished a combined 37-15-3
overall (.700), including a mark of 25-6-2 (.788) against league
foes.
“Taylor did a great job of helping us return
to our position as one of the best small college women’s soccer
programs in the state,” Zeff said. “He understood the
strengths of each player and how to best utilize them in the team
scheme. Taylor also made soccer fun for his players with his positive,
relaxed approach to the game.”
Haynes helped orchestrate the biggest turnaround
among NCAA Division III teams in 2003 when NWU made a nine-game
improvement from the previous year. For his efforts, he was selected
as the 2003 SCHEELS/GPAC Women’s Soccer Co-Coach of the Year.
“Our goal was to turn it around, and we certainly
did that,” Haynes said of his team. “They embraced the
tradition here at Nebraska Wesleyan, and there is a real sense of
pride with these players. Their unity is truly special, but I struggle
to find the words to describe the feelings I have toward them.”
“I owe them thanks for making me better as
a person and a coach,” Haynes said. “It’s hard
to walk away from this group, but they are prepared to repeat next
season and make some noise in the national tournament.”
According to Zeff, Nebraska Wesleyan’s search
for a new head coach is underway.
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