The University of Mississippi Athletics
Former Soccer Assistant Takes Over Top Pro Team
2/12/2003 | Soccer
Feb. 12, 2003
MORRISVILLE, N.C. - Former Ole Miss assistant soccer coach Jay Entlich is the new head coach of the WUSA Champion Carolina Courage, as announced Tuesday by Courage General Manager Scott Travasos.
Entlich served as an assistant coach for the Rebels during the 1998 and 1999 seasons, and helped Ole Miss to its first Western Division title and an SEC Tournament runner-up finish in 1999.
"We're excited, thrilled and proud of Jay and his accomplishment," said Rebel head coach Steve Holeman. "During his tenure at Ole Miss, he proved himself to be one of the best in the business. It's no surprise he has taken his coaching ability to the highest level. We feel confident Jay will continue the success the Carolina Courage has enjoyed."
After leaving Ole Miss, Entlich went on to produce tremendous results at the University of Tampa, where he was named the 2001 Coach of the Year in the highly competitive Sunshine State Conference. As an assistant, he also helped guide the Virginia Tech men's team to their best record in program history.
A U.S. Women's National Team staff coach, Entlich has scouted and identified many current players for the Women's National Teams at various youth levels. His tactical and technical understanding of the game of soccer is very impressive. Not only does he hold a USSF "A" coach's license, the highest level of certification offered by the U.S. Soccer Federation, but he is an instructor for "B" and "C" level licenses as well.
"Jay has had an almost meteoric rise through the ranks of women's soccer," Travasos said. "He has been a difference maker and winner at every step along his path.
"With this hire, the Courage has secured an individual with tremendous insight and familiarity with the next crop of American players who will comprise the future of the WUSA."
Entlich, 31, is a native of Fairfaz, Va., and is married to the former Megan Breen, who was a four-time All-SEC golfer at Ole Miss from 1996-99.
Entlich replaces Marcia McDermott, the club's Assistant General Manager, who stepped down as coach on Nov. 15th. McDermott was also the guest speaker for the 2002 SEC Tournament banquet, which Ole Miss hosted in November.
Carolina was the 2002 champ of the Women's United Soccer Association, which is beginning its third year of existence as the world's premier women's professional soccer league. The Courage begins preparations for its defense of the Founders Cup on Mar. 1, when players report to training camp.
