It seems in sports these days that the only time a coach gets mentioned is following a poor play call or a deflating loss. Coaches inevitably receive the brunt of the blame for a team's failure, while individual players are given the credit after a victory. A great coach masters his craft like few before him and simultaneously molds a group of individuals to think, act and perform as one collective unit, yet often fails to get the credit he deserves. Virginia men's soccer coach George Gelnovatch is no exception.
Gelnovatch has been the head soccer coach at the University since January 3, 1996. Under his tutelage, the Cavaliers have compiled an amazing 134-47-14 overall record and a 31-14-6 ACC mark. In the past nine years Gelnovatch's Cavalier squads have never missed the NCAA tournament, have won two ACC Championship titles (1997 and 2003) and were the runner-up in the NCAA Tournament in 1997. Also, in 2002, Gelnovatch became only the second coach in Virginia soccer history to record 100 victories.
While Gelnovatch has had tremendous success at the University, rumors recently circulated that he might leave Virginia to become the coach of the U-17 National Team, a team he currently helps to coach during his time away from the Cavaliers. To the relief of many Virginia fans, the rumors were indeed just that, as Gelnovatch removed any doubt that he would remain the head coach at Virginia.
"Those were just rumors," Gelnovatch said. "I was just kind of trying to make sure that everyone knew that I'm here."
Players also expressed relief when they heard that their coach would not leave the University, as they realize the coaching acumen Gelnovatch possesses.
"George is a great coach," freshman midfielder Nico Colaluca said. "He gets us ready both in practice and coming into games."
Aside from Gelnovatch's understanding of the nuances of the game -- most of which he fine-tuned during his assistant tenure at Virginia under current National Team coach Bruce Arena -- he has the unique ability to motivate his team to achieve goals beyond most other's expectations.
"He's a great motivator," sophomore forward Adam Cristman said. "He does a really good job with that."
Gelnovatch's coaching talents have spilled off the playing field as well, as his recruiting classes the past two seasons have injected a plethora of talented players into the program.
The Cavaliers will once again look to Gelnovatch for guidance when they take on Longwood tonight at 7:30 p.m. The Lancers enter the game with a 1-12 record.
With a young and mostly inexperienced squad, the Cavaliers are lucky to have Gelnovatch at the helm to provide the motivation and game planning to succeed the remainder of the regular season and throughout the postseason. If the team continues its winning ways, Gelnovatch too should receive the credit he undoubtedly deserves.
Read More
No. 10 Virginia rowing goes winless against No. 2 Stanford and No. 8 California
By Eleanor Lynch | 17 hours agoThe Cavaliers faltered against elite ACC competition.
KRIEBEL: Tony Elliott wanted a Spring Game — here’s why he was right
By Peter Kriebel | 18 hours agoVirginia is going against a common trend, and it might just be for the best.
Jade Hylton makes program history Sunday as Virginia sweeps Syracuse
By Victoria Blankenship | YesterdayAfter shutting out Syracuse’s offense in two games Saturday, Virginia was ready to secure a third victory and sweep the series.
