Head Soccer Coach Ready To Recruit Valley Talent Video

[Admin]

[sean preston]

This seems to be the exact issue. The Coach is discussing recruiting plans that certainly imply that his understanding is that he will be the coach at UT-RGV.
I'm still trying to get confirmation that this is true.
It would seem that the coach at UTB would be the likely coach post merger.
Consider that he has eights years of Head Coaching service at one of the two merging schools.
Now compare that to a coach coming in with only 5 years of head coaching experience in total (at the college level).
There are two careers at stake here and I believe both the UTPA coach and UTB coach need to have this clarified.
I'd be surprised if coach Leese moved to the Valley in order to simply recruit for 1-year for the future UT-RGV program.
BUT I'd find it even more surprising if the UTB coach was simply being shown the exit for someone with less experience and achievement as a head coach AND no ties to the University of Texas system.
There has to be a value placed on an employee with eight years of service that would require a superior, by far, resume to replace, and certainly not an AT BEST comparable resume.
I've been trying for two weeks now to have the following clarified:
Has Paul Leese been guaranteed the job at UT-RGV?
If not, when/how/who will decide it?
Surely someone reading this has the answer.
Feel free to email me off the record if you prefer: [e-mail]

[Admin]

You bring up excellent questions. It's my understanding that the two schools are merging, but the athletic programs are not. UTPA is a Division I program and UTB is NAIA (not associated with the NCAA). Here is an article regarding the issue.

[Sean Preston 2]

I suppose my point is that UTPA will never have a team. Even next season, no team. UT-RGV will compete in 2016 as a division 1 program. If UTPA had a team before I would see a tougher discussion about which coach to move forward with as will be the case with all redundant programs. Men's soccer is unique in that UTPA has not and will not have a team playing. Why would UT-RGV hire from outside the merger when they have a coach with eight years of experience in the valley and replace him with a coach will only five years of total experience. A merger should create a better product, not be used to end careers of tenured employees. Take a look at the resume for the UTB coach vs. coach Leese and it's fairly clear that the decision is being made outside of the objective view. When you then consider that the ad at UTPA has been openly looking for a job on multiple occasions in his short tenure then you must find it at a minimum unethical to put zero weight to the loyalty of the UTB coach. Add to that the consideration that the new coach at UTPA has a less than steller resume it seems pretty clear that the ad at UTPA is playing loose with people's careers. I also would like to know if the vetting process abided by the code of conduct outlined in the merger agreement between the two schools which seemed to state that all reasonable attempts would be made to keep qualified employees. This decision would seem to run contrary to that. If a coach with more experience and better credentials was added to the mix I could at least understand, but to replace a loyal employee un deer the guise of a merger is at least unfair, and perhaps even a violation of the merger code.

[Admin]

Your good points really got me thinking. Is the UTB Coach even interested in becoming a Division I Head Coach? UTB is currently a member of the Red River Athletics Conference (NAIA) with member schools in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, & New Mexico. The WAC, UTPA/UTRGV's conference, has member schools in Washington, California, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Missouri, & Illinois (Idaho is leaving after this year). There's a huge difference between Divisions and eight years is a long time. One would think that if an NAIA Coach had aspirations of becoming a Division I Head Coach, he would have taken the initiative by now. You could say that in 5 years, Paul Leese did. So, did the UTB coach even apply for the UTPA/D1 Head Coaching Job? If so, was he interviewed? IMHO, Paul Leese was probably hired because he was the better candidate.

In regards to your statement of UTPA never having a team is simply not true. National Signing Day for high school athletes (soccer) began February 5, 2014 and ends August 1, 2014. So, Coach Leese can already begin recruiting and signing players to build the team. UTPA will not field a team, but it will have a team of soccer players on scholarship enrolled in the Fall of 2014.

Here is a video announcing the plans to create a Soccer program at UTPA and a link at the bottom of frequent asked questions about the merger.
Question #15 may have the answer you're looking for, or at least half.




Link

[sean...]

I'll defer to you about the team of scholarship athletes being enrolled for 2014 as you seem to have more information than I do.
To two of your other points:
I imagine every coach wants to coach at the D1 level. You have to understand that there are only about 200 D1 jobs in the country. I don't agree that staying at a program that you built from scratch for 8 seasons should be construed as lacking in aspiration.
Yes the UTB coach applied for the position at UTPA.
Regarding the better candidate being chosen I would welcome a response from anyone that could give me examples defining the reason the UTB coach was not the best fit.
I'll give a few reasons it seems he is:
1. Head coach for 8 years in the Valley. He has ties to the local soccer community.
2. 13 years of head coaching experience vs. 5 for the competing candidate.
3. Won conference coach of the year 5 out of the past 8 season. This is voted on by the other coaches. They certainly seem to think he is capable.
4. The UTB coach built the team from scratch at UTB. You could argue that it would make him uniquely qualified to build another team from the start.
5. Eight years of service in the UT System.

I welcome a discussion about it and opposing opinions.
I do not see anything in Leese's resume that implies he is more likely to succeed and certainly nothing that trumps any of the five items above.
The hiring decision seems like a personal one and not a professional one and I think there should at least an open discussion about it.

[Sean Preston...]

Here is my question/answer to UT-RGV which gives me hope that the decision regarding the UT-RGV coaching job has yet to be decided...
www.utsystem.edu/news/topics/project-south-texas/ask-a-question

[Admin]

Recruiting is the bloodline to any Division I program. If the consensus is that the Valley's best soccer players will choose to stay at home and play for UTPA/UTRGV, then it's my opinion that the next step is to hire a coach that can complement the local talent with the best available recruits from around the world. According to this article, a search committee singled out Paul Leese from a deep and talented group of candidates. After reading your information on Coach Dan Balaguero, I do hope that he was at least considered for the position, and in the end I hope that the best man for the job will be chosen. 

[sean...]

I've pasted a thread from the RGV-Football facebook page that is worth reading and includes constructive commentary from one of the best players to ever come out of the Valley and his experience with the UTB coach. This player certainly contributes to the argument that the UTB coach is capable of recruiting Division 1 talent as well as local talent:


Special to RGVFútbolEDINBURG, 19 Feb. - Leese arrives on campus on March 4. "I am excited and honored to lead the UTPA men's soccer...

15 people like this.

Jose Reyes: Ok, so UTPA now has a men's soccer coach, while UTB has one now for several years. What happens with the merger of UTPA & UTB into UTRGV ?

February 19 at 9:29pm · Unlike · 1

Rgv Fútbol: That's a good question. Let's see if UT-RGV has a good answer. However, since it is one university now or will be, there will only be one team.

February 20 at 8:17pm · Unlike · 3

Sean Preston: I think this is an important discussion that benefits both Dan Balaguero, the coach at UTB, and Paul Leese, the new coach at UTPA. My understanding is that an independent committee will decide who will be the coach after the schools merge. Dan built the UTB program from scratch and was 5 time coach of the year for the conference leading me to feel he is uniquely qualified to coach the team post merger. It would seem that the job has been promised to Paul Leese as I doubt that a person would quit a position and uproot his family for only the possibility of an independent truly objective committee deciding that Dan is unfit to lead the new program. Dan has at worst a comparable resume as coach Leese but 8 years of success leading one of the two merging schools, where coach Leese has none. Mergers are meant to create efficiencies, reduce redundancies, and create a better product. As Dan has been the only coach in the system since the programs inception it would seem practical that there would need to be some disqualifying events during Dan's tenure to leave him out. I implore anyone to voice an opinion on the matter as it certainly seems that a loyal employee is being replaced for no purpose. I feel strongly that an institution being created out of a merger with a stated goal of creating a better product for the community should not start by ending the career of a tenured and successful employee. Whether you agree or not, your opinions are needed to help clarify the situation. Imagine if you put 8 years of service into your job, exceeded all expectations, and on a moments notice was replaced. It's not logical and at a minimum unfair.

February 22 at 12:25pm · Like · 1

Lalo Espinoza: Either way both coaches r going to get old European players that will benefit them for quick success. But not our valley players

Check out utb roster

February 22 at 5:10pm · Like

Lalo Espinoza: In the 8 years if Dan, how many valley players did he get?

February 22 at 5:13pm · Like

Sean Preston: Lalo, I think that's an interesting point to add to the conversation. I would imagine both coaches would look to the valley for the best available talent that they can retain with the scholarships allotted as a premier valley player may be better suited to receive a large scholarship at a school with more funding making it sometime impossible to retain the players that a coach would want. With that said, Dan's current roster carries 7 players from the valley, and there has been as average of about 8 per year over his tenure. It is my thought that no player wanting to be part of the team has been turned away in favor of a player with an equal or lower skill set. Yes, some of the best players have chosen other schools but I suspect it was in their best interest to do so. Any player wanting to compete at the Division 1 level, which presuming most of the top players would want to, had no choice but to look elsewhere. I would encourage anyone with an opinion about this and their access to Dan as a local player whether it's a local coach or player to please share their thoughts on the matter. As I've taken the time to address your material issue it would be great if you could kindly address my general them, as your statement that "it doesn't really matter" runs contrary to my believe that it does matter to essentially end the career of 5 time coach of the year coach as voted on by his conference peers. I see no indications in Paul Leese's resume that would lead me to believe there is something that will be added by replacing Dan.. Do you? Again, I ask, imagine if you spent 8 years at your job, delivering the results expected, and were simply shown the door on a whim. I do appreciate you adding to the discussion. Thanks

February 22 at 5:48pm · Like

Lalo Espinoza Good point

February 22 at 6:12pm · Like

Lalo Espinoza R u a lawyer? Lol

February 22 at 6:13pm · Like

Sean Preston: Dan is like a brother to me and it truly pains me to see what is happening to him. I can't imagine my career ending simply because someone likes someone else better. If I truly believed the Valley would be better without Dan I could at least understand the situation, and I'm just wondering if there are people out there that think he was not the right man for the job, as I don't believe the decision makers who represent an institution with the a state d goal of improving the community should play so loose with a loyal employees careers. I just can't imagine if it happened to me.

February 22 at 6:19pm · Like


Juan Nava: I speak plainly as a valley soccer player thats has witnessed the worse and the best of soccer in the RGV. i was first team, All-State player, in Hidalgo High School, back in 2007 was soccer was unrecognized and scouts were never seen. I was ambitious to work hard and receive a full scholarship for the state of Kentucky. However, I missed home, the field I grew to love, and Dan Balaguero gave me the opportunity to shine. When I came back and played for the University of Brownsville, believing that a one year program wouldnt meet my expectations, I was wrong. This coach to my surprise, was professional, ethical, organized and drove even a skeptical, like me. He participated on our level and gave us his personal best, everyday. Not just with his personality but his vision for the team and his undying leadership. This coach would lift weights with us, run with us, but he would push us to the limits of our full potential, the one he reminded us we had but needed motivation. Everytime, he would outrun, outlift, and outbeat us in everything, making us want to be better, stronger, bolder, competitive...and a consecutive four year conference championship title, alongside a four year in a row national round opening appearances proved his methods, motivation, and mentorship proved his position as head coach. I am one of the only two All Americans in the valley, and the other being Mario Perez, both from RGV, thanks to this outstanding coach. This wouldnt have been possible without Dan. He made dreams come alive on the field, fears become the kick that scored goals, and the foundation to my success in a medical program where i was the only athlete/respiratory therapist, who ever graduated from the University. He was one of those coaches who wasnt only there for the game of soccer as an JUST an athlete, but there for us as a student off the field. He cared. No one is more deserving for this position than Dan, as he has seen the real face, struggle, and sacrifice of an RGV soccer athlete, than him.

February 22 at 6:43pm · Unlike · 3


Sean Preston: Juan, you started off with: "I speak plainly as a valley soccer player ". Your stated objectivity followed with tangible examples of your experiences really get to the point of this thread. Please share this thread with other members of the local soccer community as I'm interested in hearing opinions that are out there. If you or anyone else reading this has suggestions about who I can contact to help energize this discussion within the local community please email me your thoughts. [e-mail] Thanks for participating.

February 23 at 8:16am · Like · 1

[Admin]

If there is another lesson to be learned here, it's that life can be unfair and that nothing in it is guaranteed. A profession in the world of sports is no exception. Sometimes being the best is not enough. You have to pay close attention to detail at all times, understand the situation, and continue to evolve so that you can position yourself for the best possible outcome.

[Sean...]

That's a cynical view. Imagine if it happened to you? I've found th world to be fair when the appropriate decision makers get involved. Let's hope that's how this story ends.

[Admin]

It's a view from experience. Yes, I have had this happen to me. I've seen it happen to others and it will happen again. I don't like it any more than you do, but it is the world we live in. It is reality. It's great when things work out the way they should. We work hard and hope for the best, but we should also be prepared for the worst. We learn from our mistakes and hope that we don't repeat them. This merger between UTB and UTPA had been rumored for years. It did not happen overnight. When you know you've done all you could, you shouldn't feel regret whatever the end result may be. It's like the game itself. When you've left everything out on the field, win or lose, you can walk off with your head held high. Thank you for introducing me to Coach Dan Balaguero, Sean. I hope I get the chance to meet him someday.

*you should create a thread to display Coach Dan's achievements at UTB and letting everyone know why you feel he should be the head coach. You can also post on the Scout: WAC message board. Good luck.

[sean..]

Thanks for caring. As you've been through this before if you have any additional suggestions on ways to build some momentum around an objective discussion any advice is appreciated. If you are able to confirm that the UT-RGV Men's coaching job is still yet to be determined, or not, that would at least allow closure. I'm not sure if I can get into town anytime soon to see Dan, but if I do, i'll introduce you and pickup the tab.

[Admin]

That would be great. Just a thought; I wonder if either one would consider an Assistant Head Coach position. They would both be moving up to Division I and a pay increase would be nice. If it was up to me, I would find a way to keep both of them. There is so much potential for this soccer program. The schools in the WAC are in great markets: Seattle, Phoenix, Houston, San Antonio, Bakersfield, San Jose, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Orem/Salt Lake, & Colorado Springs. It's great exposure for everyone involved.

[Sean....]

I agree that a D1 soccer program in the Valley has the opportunity to be a huge success. I imagine a top 25 team within 5 years. I also suspect the local support will be huge. It's an exciting time for soccer in the valley, no doubt about it. The ambiguity about the coaching part is unfortunate but I suppose part of the merger, that which, when final, will certainly have produced a better product and opportunity for soccer in the valley. Just hoping that the collateral damage along the way can be minimized. As much as I support the UTB coach I still realize it would be devastating for the UTPA coach to quit a good job, move his family, and then not have a job in a year. There really are TWO deeply affected people that both deserve to at least know whether the UT-RGV job is pending, has been decided, or perhaps is open for suggestions like you make above.
The longer the unknown is out there, the more difficult it will be to minimize the collateral damage to someone, of which, BOTH coaches are undeserving.