Mustang News Staff Report
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UPDATE 3:01 p.m.: Cal Poly has confirmed Steve Sampson as the new head coach of the Cal Poly men’s soccer program.
“It is my distinct pleasure and an honor to welcome our new men’s soccer coach, Steve Sampson,” Director of Athletics Don Oberhelman said. “It’s clear we have the best soccer fans in the country, so why shouldn’t we have one of the most accomplished head coaches in charge.”
“I truly feel blessed to be back in the college game,” Sampson said. “I know I’m going to be very comfortable here.”
Original Post:
Various sources have confirmed that former United States Men’s National Team head coach Steve Sampson will be named head coach of the Cal Poly men’s soccer program. Cal Poly is expected to unveil Sampson at a press conference today at 3 p.m.
Sampson is a familiar name to even the casual soccer fan. After winning the NCAA Men’s Soccer Championship as an assistant coach at UCLA in 1985, he was hired as the head coach at Santa Clara. By 1989, Sampson had led Santa Clara to a National Championship and was named the 1989 NCAA Men’s Soccer Coach of the Year.
Sampson was an assistant with the U.S Men’s National Team during the 1994 World Cup, and after head coach Bora Milutinovic resigned after the tournament, Sampson was named the interim head coach. In the Copa America 1995, a tournament consisting of teams from both North and South America, Sampson led the United States to an astounding fourth-place finish, including victories over rival Mexico and powerhouse Argentina. The interim tag was quickly removed following the tournament.
Sampson went on to manage the Costa Rican National Team, as well as the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Cal Poly is his first major coaching role since leaving the Los Angeles based Major League Soccer club in 2006.