Rutgers Girls Soccer

Rutgers women's soccer coach Glenn Crooks introduced his retirement Tuesday evening, capping a 14-year run that saw him end up being the second-winningest coach in program history.

Crooks, who put together a 155-103-36 record at Rutgers along with a 200-158-45 mark in 21 seasons overall (including stints at LIU and St. Peter's), is going to be changed by longtime assistant Mike O'Neill because the Scarlet Knights in combat begin their first Large Ten campaign the following month.

"It simply switched out it had become time, '' stated Crooks, who brought Rutgers to some 13-4-5 record as well as an NCAA Tournament berth last season. "It's on my small terms, totally my decision and I am so happy the guy I began this with, Michael O'Neill, is offered the chance to part of and advice the team.''

Crooks, who led Rutgers to seven NCAA Tournament looks, continuously coach teams in the youth level while seeking media and broadcasting possibilities beyond his current act as analyst for Sky Blue FC.

"I am wishing to mix my desire for soccer and broadcasting because I am as enthusiastic about the overall game as always and also the whole landscape has transformed for that good with soccer and media, '' Crooks stated. "What this enables me to complete is relax and explore a number of individuals possibilities because when a soccer coach in the Division I level, it is extremely time-consuming. I still enjoy training, however this will work for my loved ones and it is great for Rutgers.''

O'Neill, that has offered as connect mind coach within the last decade, was marketed by Athletics Director Julie Hermann, who known as the Rutgers women's team "our most effective programs academically and athletically'' during the last 14 years.

"We're very fortunate with an connect mind coach in Michael O'Neill that has been using the program for 14 years, you never know and loves Rutgers and who'll have the ability to part of and go ahead and take reins from the program without missing a beat, '' Hermann stated.

O'Neill, who named seventh-year assistant Meghan Ryan as his connect mind coach, is regarded as like a strong employer after pointing among the top youth soccer clubs in Nj. A 1990 graduate of Seton Hall, O'Neill would be a star at Kearny Senior High School before leading the Pirates to Large East titles and NCAA Tournament Elite Eight looks later and '88.

"I"m so happy the program is within good hands because both women within the program and Rutgers mean a great deal to me, '' Crooks stated. "That i can have the ability to move ahead and be aware of employees are intact is extremely satisfying.''