Southwestern College Collegian

Issue date: 2/27/08 Section: Collegian Front Page

Anthony Cook/Collegian photographerScott Turnbull answers questions yesterday in Pound's Lounge. Turnbull applied for the vacant men's soccer head coaching position. He is currently the assistant men's and women's soccer coach at the University of Minnesota-Morris. [Click to enlarge]

The men's soccer team is currently searching for a coach for the 2008 season and beyond. Tuesday in Pound's Lounge there was an open interview session for applicant Scott Turnbull. Turnbull is currently a first season assistant for the men's and women's soccer teams at the University of Minnesota-Morris, which is a division III school. Career-wise, Turnbull said, "This opportunity will bring me into a program that is new. I view it is a great challenge to make a jump from the assistant coaching position to the head coaching position." The University of Minnesota-Morris may sound familiar to some. This is the same jump that head football coach Ken Crandall made last year. Turnbull heard about the job opening through Coach Crandall. Turnbull, said, "Coach Crandall contacted me through the phone when the job was open. I know where he has been at the University of Minnesota-Morris and I know where he is now and he can't say enough good things about the community and the way he is treated by the college." The interview session was open to anyone who wanted to ask the coach questions. Many departments have a stake in the signing of a new coach. Rodney Worsham, assistant director of admission, said, "I thought Scott seemed excited about the prospect of being a head coach. He has experience as an assistant coach and from his answers it is apparent that he is ready to try to move up to the next level as a head coach." Turnbull feels that recruiting will be a key tool if he is chosen for the job. The University of Minnesota-Morris currently recruits heavily in the Colorado area. Turnbull feels that he can tap into that area if he comes to Southwestern. Turnbull said, "Recruiting wise I want to recruit the best students possible. There are hundreds of students across the country who are very good at soccer and very good in the classroom. You want to recruit that mix the best you can." Turnbull also wants to recruit outside of the United States. He said, "Soccer is the world's game. It is just catching up in the United States, but I think international students are excellent and would bring some higher level experience into the program. "Also bringing international students into the community is a good thing as well. I've really pushed to recruit out of Canada. I'm from there and have connections. They also have some really good players there." Turnbull was a collegiate athlete but in another sport. He actually played football at the University of Minnesota-Morris. Joe Wood, women's head soccer coach, doesn't feel this is a problem. Wood said, "I believe Scott to be a good fit for Southwestern College. My main concern following my review of his resume was his lack of collegiate playing experience. During his college experience he played football in college rather than soccer. Following our private discussion and the open session today, I feel much more confident in his knowledge of the game. It also appears that his goals and ideals would fit well with our soccer program." Turnbull wants his goals to be a mentality for the players. He said, "I think that you have to have realistic goals. Play to your strengths. When you do this the players can still be happy and upbeat even if you take good things from a loss. You will be satisfied with how you play if you have improved. Keep things in perspective by setting goals appropriately." Whether coaching at Southwestern or continuing elsewhere, Turnbull sees soccer as a big part of his life for years to come. He said, "This is what makes me happy. This is what I want to do for the rest of my life.Coaching soccer is what makes me happy and I don't know what I'd do if I wasn't doing it." Anthony Cook is a junior majoring in communication. You may e-mail him at anthony.cook@sckans.edu.

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