November 28, 2011
STEPPING DOWN
Schellschedit calls it a career after 24 years at Seton Hall

Manny Schellscheidt, doing what he does best, teaching the game of soccer while talking to his Seton Hall players. Photo courtesy of Seton Hall SID

SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. – Manny Schellscheidt has decided to retire from college coaching.

Schellschedit, one of the most respected coaches in the United States at any level, announced on Monday that he will step down after 24 years as coach of the Seton Hall men’s soccer team.

He leaves the Pirates as the program’s all-time winningest coach.

“Manfred has been the face of this program for more than two decades,” Seton Hall director of athletics Patrick Lyons said. “Throughout his historic tenure, he has represented this University with great class and character. We are indebted to him for his years, not only as a coach, but as a mentor and molder of men. We wish him all the best in his future.”

A national search to fill the position will begin immediately, the school announced.

Schellscheidt, 70, stressed that he might be leaving the college game, but not soccer.

“Those who know me well know that, while I may be retiring from full-time coaching, I will not be retiring from soccer or my interest in Seton Hall," he said in a statement. "I plan to watch games next fall with former players and colleagues … and I’m already looking forward to playing in next year’s alumni game Seton Hall has given me the opportunity to coach remarkably talented young men for more than two decades and for that I will always be thankful.”

Former Seton Hall All-America midfielder Sacha Kljestan, a member of the U.S. National Team pool and who plays for Anderlecht in the Belgian First Division, praised his former coach on two tweets on twitter.

"Lots of love for Manfred Schellscheidt, without him I would not be where I am today as a footballer and a person. Thank you so much for what you did for me and the opportunities you gave me. I think everybody in soccer in the USA would say the same. A real legend," he said on twitter.

A committed and long-time teacher of the game of soccer, Schellscheidt was the first coach in the United States to earn an “A” license. Throughout his career, he has worked with some of the country’s most respected coaches, including Bruce Arena and Bob Bradley, and mentored countless players who have risen to the professional and international stage.

He coached the U.S. National Team for a brief time in 1975 and was the U.S. Olympic coach for the 1984 Summer Games in Los Angeles before he was pushed out by U.S. national coach Alkis Panagoulias after FIFA declared professional players could be used in the Olympics. Schellscheidt had put together a team of amateur players. After he took over, Panagoulias ripped the roster apart and used professionals. Even though the U.S. recorded its first Olympic win in 60 years -- over Costa Rica, the Americans still could not get out of the first round.

Schellscheidt’s coaching philosophy is to have his players learn by playing, which has led to him becoming the winningest coach in Seton Hall history, compiling a 232-177-48 record and a 104-85-16 mark in Big East play. He dircted the Pirates to two Big East titles, nine NCAA Division I tournament berths, seven conference title game appearances and a trip to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2001.

Known for his ability to nurture and develop talent, Schellscheidt has coached five All-Americans at Seton Hall, including two-time first team selection Pat O’Kelly in 1988 and 1989. Sacha Kljestan became the second repeat All-American under Schellscheidt, earning first team honors in 2004 and third team recognition in 2005. Schellscheidt helped Tom Houston earn second team honors in 1994, while Hector Zamora earned first team status in 1992. Gerson Echeverry was a third team pick in 1991. Zamora (1992), O’Kelly (1990) and Greg Strohmann (2002) were also recipients of the prestigious BIG EAST Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award.

“Knowing that I could offer young student-athletes a Division I soccer experience along with a top-notch education made my move to Seton Hall in 1988 an easy one,” Schellscheidt said in a statement. “In keeping with its mission to prepare tomorrow’s leaders both academically and ethically, Seton Hall University was unwavering in its support of my coaching and mentoring efforts. In other words, Seton Hall really does focus on the whole person, not just the student … not just the athlete. I feel blessed to have been part of such a worthwhile tradition.”