IU assistant coach Todd Yeagley has officially accepted the head coaching position, Wisconsin announced today.
Yeagley, named one of the top 12 assistant coaches earlier this year by College Soccer News, has two national titles, in 2003 and 2004, on his coaching resume. In his six years at IU, the Hoosiers won two conferences titles as well. This year the team lost in the final match of the Big Ten Tournament and progressed to the quarterfinal match of the NCAA Tournament.
"It was a real emotional decision," Yeagley said. "I felt it was the right time, the right institution and the right program to take on a new and exciting challenge."
IU head coach Mike Freitag said he is happy for Yeagley, but also saddened by his departure. Freitag expressed confidence in his now-former assistant.
"He has been groomed to be a head coach all his life," Freitag said. "He'll always be a part of IU soccer."
Yeagley's move to a conference foe means he will see his former team at least once a year. He said he will always root for you, except the Badgers and Hoosiers meet on the pitch.
"It'll be strange when we battle in the Big Ten," Freitag said. "It'll be a game where the relationship makes it more interesting."
While the Badgers do not carry a national legacy like the one Yeagley is leaving behind, he said is excited for the "wonderful, new challenge."
"It was the perfect opportunity to recharge and bring the blueprint from IU," Yeagley said.
Freitag said the Hoosiers will soon start looking for Yeagley's replacement. Assistant coach Phil Presser will remain on staff, Freitag said.
Wisconsin coach Jeff Rohrman resigned Nov. 18 after seven seasons and a 61-63-12 record. Rohrman's teams never made it to the NCAA Tournament.
