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StumbleUNLV soccer coach leaves for Louisville
Friday, Feb. 5, 2010 | 3:54 p.m.
Mario Sanchez is leaving the UNLV men’s soccer program, the school announced Friday.
Sanchez, who posted a 24-41-9 record in four seasons as the Rebels’ head coach, is taking a position on the staff at Louisville.
“Although I haven’t had a chance to spend a lot of time with Mario, I have heard great things about the job he’s done with our men’s soccer team,” said Jim Livengood, UNLV’s director of athletics, in a statement. “Certainly, Louisville’s gain is our loss. I wish him continued success as he heads east.”
UNLV went 8-7-4 in 2009, its first winning season since 2002.
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The loss of Mario Sanchez cannot be measured. He took a moribund program- a program that had not won many games in several years, and was on the verge of being disbanded- and in three years turned it in to a winning program. Despite losing their "star player", Danny Cruz, to the MLS, he brought in a group of freshmen that consistently produced, and won more games than the year before. He and his staff were doing it in the right ways. And now, with Mario willing to take an assistant Coaching job instead of staying as head coach, it portends poorly for the future of the program.
Clearly the administration does not value the men's soccer program, and it is a tragedy.
While Coach Sanchez was a great coach I do believe that his fan base was significantly affected by the lack of local players. Look at the excitement generated by Coach Hauck as a result of recruiting locals. Southern Nevada has the talent in all sports - certainly not the depth of Southern California - but UNLV should be taking advantage of those kids that do have the ability.