Bob Warming coached Creighton from 1990 through 1994, and then again from 2001 through 2009. Bret Simon was CU’s only other head coach during that time, and he left Creighton for a job in the Pac 10. Jamie Clark is making a similar move.
Clark confirmed for White & Blue Review that he is taking over the men’s soccer program at the University of Washington after just one season at the helm on the Hilltop.
Clark helped return the Bluejays to the NCAA Tournament in 2010, after the program missed postseason play in 2009. His first and only season at CU, a 13-5-2 campaign, ended in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, with the Bluejays dropping a 2-2 match to SMU on penalty kicks.
Clark’s move to Seattle will mark his fourth program in 8 seasons. He came to Creighton after serving as head coach at Harvard, a job he took after a successful stint as an assistant coach at New Mexico and Notre Dame. But with a good number of players returning from last year’s roster, and a solid recruiting class lined up, Clark leaves Creighton at a curious time.
“My fiancé is from the Oregon area, and it has always been a long-term goal of ours to be back in the Northwest and closer to her family,” Clark told WBR. “Creighton is an amazing program and an amazing place to work, and they will have a lot of success in the future.
“I am going to miss the connections I was able to make. This decision should not be taken as a negative to Creighton or the program; it is simply a family decision. You can’t count on timing.”
Clark heads to the Pac 10, where he will coach against familiar programs UCLA and Stanford. He was a standout for the Cardinal as a player, where he was a two-time All-American and led a team to the College Cup championship match.
“I am familiar with the conference and I know it will be tough. Washington has the ability to have success over time, and I am excited for the opportunity,” Clark said.
With Clark leaving Creighton after one season, an opportunity arises for another coach to lead a returning group of players hungry for another trip to the NCAA Tournament. When asked about what he thought of the school’s impending search for a head coach, Clark mentioned one of his assistants.
“I sort of view myself as a transplant of sorts. But Creighton has an amazing former player and current coach in Johnny Torres, who would be an amazing fit for the program.”
Will Torres get a shot? The Creighton Athletics Hall of Fame member has a great relationship with the school, the players, and the local soccer community. Stay with White and Blue Review for further developments.