Cal Poly men’s soccer head coach Paul Holocher made a formal announcement that former assistant Ziggy Korytoski has departed the program to accept first-team managerial and youth development roles with Guatemalan club Antigua GFC.
“Antigua has offered me an incredible opportunity,” Korytoski said in a press release. “I’d like to thank (club president) Mario Porras for entrusting me with this responsibility. I’m looking forward to the challenge of creating a winning culture, exposing the community to my philosophy of soccer and working with a committed board of directors and city who wish to promote Antigua back to the (top tier) Liga Nacional.”
During Korytoski’s two seasons with Cal Poly the Mustangs compiled a 19-16-8 overall record, held an 11-5-5 Big West mark and did not finish lower than second place in the conference standings. In Korytoski’s initial 2008 season, Cal Poly advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 13 years and registered the program’s first postseason victory at the Division-I level.
“I’d like to thank Paul, (Director of Athletics) Alison Cone, (Senior Associate Athletic Director) Phil Webb and the entire Cal Poly community for such a wonderful experience for myself and my family in San Luis Obispo,” Korytoski said.
Holocher thanked Korytoski for helping the team to a combined 13-3-2 home record.
“We are really happy for (Korytoski). He is a terrific coach and this opportunity to lead a professional club on the international stage is not something that a lot of American coaches have yet achieved,” Holocher said in a press release. “We’re thankful to (Korytoski) for his tireless work with our program and wish him and his wonderful family great success.”
The Mustangs will fill the void left by Korytoski’s departure with former Mustang defender Brian Reed, who served as an assistant under Holocher from 2006 to 2008.
Reed, who spent the previous year working under former US Men’s National Team head coach Steve Sampson with the GSI Soccer Academy in Agoura Hills, Calif., was a three-year starter, two-year captain and a 2003 All-Big West first-team selection during his playing career at Cal Poly (1999-2003). During his initial coaching stint with Cal Poly, Reed helped fine tune a defense that kept the ball out of the goalie’s net in 26 of 61 matches while also posting the three lowest goals-against-averages in program history.
“I couldn’t think of anyone I would rather have replace (Korytoski) than Brian Reed. Not only is Brian a trusted and dear friend, he is a terrific young coach,” Holocher said.
Additionally, former assistant coach Glen Fens has returned to the program as the director of men’s soccer operations.
Fens, an assistant coach with the Cal Poly program between 1990 and 2006, has been charged with refining alumni relations and developing community service projects in the newly created director of operations role.
“(Fens) is a huge part of three generations of Cal Poly soccer. He will be focusing on many of the programs and projects that have come to make Mustang soccer a special part of the Central Coast community,” Holocher said. “Having been with the program in some capacity for more than 20 years, (Fens) is handling tasks that he knows better than anyone. His responsibilities may be off the practice field, but (they) are incredibly important to the structure our program.”
Staying put for his second season is Ryan Hopkins, Cal Poly’s goalkeeping coach. Former Mustang forward Mark Jones will begin his fifth year as a volunteer coach also.