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PSN 1-on-1 with Pitt women soccer’s Randy Waldrum

This new feature, produced in conjunction with the Beautiful Game Network and our colleague Mike Sparks, will be an ongoing podcast named: Pittsburgh Soccer Now 1-on-1

So, what better way to start this new ‘1-on-1’ venture than with in-depth interviews with two coaches who are universally respected and undeniably in the conversation among the elite leaders in the intercollegiate game during the past 25 years.

Last week it was Jay Vidovich, Pitt’s men’s soccer coach, now it’s the new man on campus’s turn, Randy Waldrum, who has taken over as head coach of the women’s program.

When Pitt hired Waldrum in December, it was yet another sign of their commitment to turning both of its soccer programs in the incredibly challenging ACC, the best conference in college soccer on both the men’s and women’s sides. Waldrum won two National Championships at Notre Dame after building successful programs at Baylor and Tulsa into winners. He’s won more than 300 games in a soccer coaching career that has spanned five decades.

Heather Lyke, Pitt’s athletic director who hired Waldrum stated that she was excited to be bringing in a new “five-star recruit” to help revive a women’s soccer program which has struggled to get out of its own way for much of its 21-year existence, including coming off a 3-12-3 record in 2017, when they went winless in ACC Conference play.

Make no mistake, the hiring of Waldrum dramatically shifts Pitt’s expectations for women’s soccer.
With only two winning seasons in its history.

Waldrum opens up in this interview on a number of topics, including:

  • what it’s been like thus far in Pittsburgh
  • importance and roles of coaching staff he’s assembled
  • what style of play and type of players Waldrum wants to build program around
  • experiences coaching at pro level
  • expectations for the season ahead, impact of returning players and new recruits
  • and much, much more

The Randy Waldrum File

Coaching Honors

Waldrum saw unprecedented success in his tenure at the helm of the perennial powerhouse Notre Dame women’s program. In his 14 seasons, he led the Fighting Irish to two national championships, capturing the College Cup title in 2004 and 2010. His teams won eight Big East Tournament titles and appeared in eight NCAA Final Four games in that span.

A two-time national coach of the year (2009 by Soccer America; 2010 by NSCAA), Waldrum was the first coach in NCAA history to lead a team to a national title in his/her first season with a program. He wrapped up his tenure at Notre Dame with a mark of 292-58-17 (.819) and holds an overall record of 399-108-29 (.771) as a head coach on the women’s side. His record ranks fourth in all-time wins as an NCAA women’s head coach and third in win percentage.

He turned around programs at Baylor University and Tulsa in the 1980s and 1990s before going to Notre Dame.

Waldrum PSN file: 

Waldrum add to first recruiting class at Pitt with JC transfer (April 2018) 

WPIAL standout Clayton part of Waldrum’s first recruiting class (February 2018)

Waldrum hire brings excitement, expectations to Pitt women’s soccer (December 2017)

Playing Experience
Midwestern State University, TX (graduated 1981 degree in physical education and a minor in political science)

Played professionally with the Los Angeles Skyhawks and Indianapolis Daredevils of the American Soccer League.

COLLEGIATE HEAD COACHING EXPERIENCE

Career Record:

PITT (2018- )

NOTRE DAME (1994-2014) – 279–50–16

BAYLOR (1995-1998)- 46–14–3

TULSA (1989-1994) – Men: 66-33-6 / Women: 61-36-9

 

PRO & INTERNATIONAL COACHING EXPERIENCES

Houston Dash – served as head coach from 2014-16. Coached USWNT members Carli Lloyd, Morgan Brian and Pittsburgh native Meghan Klingenberg.

Waldrum has also served as the head coach of the United States U-23 National Team since 2012, winning the Four Nations Cup in 2012 and 2013 as well as the Three Nations Cup in 2012.

Waldrum also served as coach and adviser to Trinidad and Tobago women’s national team

PERSONAL

Born: September 25, 1956
Hometown: Irving, Texas
Family: Waldrum and his wife, Dianna, have one son, Ben, who has joined them in Pittsburgh as a member of the coaching staff.

MORE ABOUT PSN 1-on-1

During the first month, we’ll be mostly focused on interviews with area’s Division I coaches as the College season fast approaches.

After that, the sky is the limit.

We will be looking forward to having many guests on the podcast that encompass all areas of the World’s most popular sport in Pittsburgh.

I hope you enjoy these podcasts as it’s our aim to provide closer and more in-depth profiles of the people in the Pittsburgh soccer community.

Thanks always for reading, listening and for your support!

Special thanks to both Julie Jurich and Kelly Dumrauf from University of Pittsburgh Athletic Department for their assistance in coordinating these interviews with coaches Vidovich and Waldrum. 

John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of 'Miracle on the Mon' -- a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).

Glory on the Grass

Riverhounds MF Kenardo Forbes

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