D.C. United's flirting with Akron's Caleb Porter showed that Major League Soccer franchises feel that college soccer can develop coaches for MLS as well as players.
Soccer America reported on the list of coaches who have made the jump from college soccer to MLS.
For the time being at least, Caleb Porter won't be leaving the University of Akron for MLS's D.C. United. Only four coaches have left college jobs to take heading coaching positions in MLS. Two of them haven't done too badly, winning four MLS titles and taking teams to the final eight times.
YEAR, COACH (COLLEGE to MLS)
1996, Bruce Arena (Virginia to D.C. United).
-- Won MLS titles in 1996 and 1997 and also led D.C. to MLS Cup '98. Returned to MLS Cup with the Galaxy in 2009.
1997, John Kowalski (Robert Morris to Tampa Bay)
-- Kowalski had made a name for himself in the national team program and was hired to replace Thomas Rongen, who left for New England after MLS's first year. After leaving the Mutiny in 1999, Kowalski returned home to Pittsburgh, where he coached the A-League Riverhounds. He's now the Robert Morris women's coach.
1999, Sigi Schmid (UCLA to Los Angeles).
-- Led the Galaxy to three MLS Cup finals and won the league title in 2002. Captured his second MLS championship with Columbus in 2008.
2008, Schellas Hyndman (SMU to FC Dallas).
-- Hired by Hunt Sports Group, whose chairman Clark Hunt played for him at SMU.
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