Jay Vidovich Named Head Coach of USL PRO Team T2
12/18/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Wake Forest men's soccer head coach Jay Vidovich has been named the head coach of Timbers 2 (T2), a club in the USL PRO league. T2 is owned by the Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer. Vidovich will also serve as an assistant coach for the Portland Timbers first team
Vidovich leaves Wake Forest after 21 seasons as head coach and a 272-121-50 overall record. He was named National Coach of the Year twice (2007, 2009) and was the Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year five times (2002, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2009). He helped guide Wake Forest to four-straight College Cup appearances from 2006-09 which included the only national championship in program history in 2007.
"Thank you to Wake Forest," said Vidovich. "It's been an honor to have been the architect and leader of the Wake Forest men's soccer program for the past 20-plus years. I'm thankful that I had the opportunity to grow the program and I'm proud to see where it's gone.
"Thank you to the `Congregation' of our fans, the administration, my support staff, coaching colleagues, and most importantly the young men who have made this a special experience for me. Wake Forest will always be a part of me."
Helping shape Wake Forest into a national powerhouse, Vidovich led the Demon Deacons to the NCAA Tournament in 13 of the past 14 seasons, including entering the tournament as the nation's top seed three times. Vidovich, who spent a total of 29 seasons at Wake Forest, was named the third coach in program history in 1994.
"It is no surprise that Jay is attractive to the MLS and the Portland Timbers," said Wake Forest Athletic Director Ron Wellman. "He has done a superb job for us in all aspects of our program for 21 years including winning a national championship. He has established Wake Forest's soccer program as one of the best in the country. I appreciate everything Jay has done for us and wish him nothing but the best. He will be missed."
Under Vidovich, Wake Forest has sent numerous players to the pro ranks including current MLS players Michael Parkhurst, Ike Opara, Sam Cronin, Corben Bone, Jared Watts and Chris Duvall.
A national search for Wake Forest's next head coach will begin immediately.
