Holguin Takes Reins Of WVWC Women's Soccer Program
WVWC Sports Information
5/14/2010 11:42:12 PM
Patrick Holguin is the new women's soccer head coach at WV Wesleyan after a stint coaching the men and women at Division III Marietta College.
(BUCKHANNON, W.Va.)---West Virginia Wesleyan Director of Athletics Ken Tyler recently announced the hiring of Patrick Holguin as the new women’s soccer coach. Holguin comes to Wesleyan after serving as the men’s and women’s head soccer coach at Marietta College.
“We are very pleased to welcome Patrick Holguin as our new head women’s soccer coach,” remarked Tyler. “We were extremely impressed with his track record at Marietta, as well as his vision for taking our program to the next level. Patrick is a welcome addition to our department and to Wesleyan.”
At Marietta, Houlguin spent 12 seasons as the head coach of the men at Marietta while simultaneously serving as the women’s coach for the last 10. He posted 83 wins for the men and was named the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) “Coach of the Year” in 2008. In 2007, he guided the men to the school’s first OAC Tournament berth in 10 seasons. On the women’s side he compiled an 87-71-19 record. He holds the best winning percentage of any women’s soccer coach in Marietta history.
“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity given to me by West Virginia Wesleyan,” stated Holguin. “There were a lot of reasons why Wesleyan was so attractive for me. The success of the program, the excellent reputation, and the program’s strong history were some main reasons. Wesleyan also supports its athletic programs very well.”
Holguin will also enjoy the attention he can give to just one team after coaching both the men and the women’s team at Marietta. “I have always felt that if given the opportunity to concentrate on just one program that I would be able to compete for championships.”
Holguin will inherit a Lady Bobcat team that has earned berths in the NCAA Division II Regional Tournament the last three seasons.
“There will be a challenge to maintain the level of success the team has achieved in the past,” commented Holguin. “Glenn (Francis) always brought in an excellent group of athletes. I know the team lost a lot of very talented seniors, but I also know a lot of talent remains. Replacing that graduating class will be my biggest challenge. My goal is to not only maintain the level of success they have had but to take them even deeper into the NCAA Division II Tournament and win a national championship.”
One of Holguin’s first priorities after arriving at Wesleyan was meeting the current team.
“After meeting with the soccer team, I was very impressed with the attitude and openness with which they have received me,” said Holguin. “I know they loved their former coach yet they are open to my ideas and approach in taking over this program. I can see how the program has had success now that I have met the women on a personal level.”
Holguin began his coaching career in Houston, TX. From 1993-97 he was the head coach of the men’s and women’s club soccer program at the University of Houston. He was also involved as a coach with the South Texas Olympic Development Program and as the Director of Player Development and Coaching and Director of Player Development with the Alliance Soccer Program.
He remains involved with as a coach with the Olympic Development Program in West Virginia while also serving as Director of Coaching and Player Development for the River Valley Soccer Club in Parkersburg.
Holguin is a 1989 graduate of Quinnipiac College where he earned a degree in International Business. He earned his Master’s Degree in Education from Marietta College in 2007.
“I am looking forward to this challenge,” concluded Holguin. “Getting to know the team is a top priority. Right now I do not know the idiosyncrasies of each player. Knowing your players is a key to success. The beginning of the year will prove to be a learning process for both of us, but I have high hopes in achieving success in 2010.”