May 12, 2007 SO, WHO'S THE BOSS? Both men are -- as Fitzgerald, McSheffrey will guide the Rough Riders women as co-coaches
Rough Riders women's coaches Declan McSheffrey (left) and John Fitzgerald (right) with club GM Flavio Ferri (middle). Photo courtesy of the Rough Riders women
By Michael Lewis
BigAppleSoccer.com Editor
Don't be surprised if you look toward the Long Island Rough Riders women's team bench this season, you might see two men wearing suits in an animated discussion.
No, Declan McSheffrey and John Fitzgerald won't be arguing, just trying to make a decision as co-coaches of the W-League team.
That's no misinformation. They're co-coaches of the women's soccer team.
And no one has more power than the other.
"We share everything," Fitzgerald said. "We're pretty much on the same page. It's good for banter.
"If I feel strong enough about something, I'll say it my peace and he'll say his piece."
And the coach who gets his point across the best will get his way.
"One of us will say, 'Hey, this will work out well and the other will go along with it,' " Fitzgerald said.
And how will it work out during an actual game situation?
"We're going to arm wrestle," Fitzgerald jokingly said.
Then he got serious.
"You know what?" he said. "I'll let you know after Saturday."
Saturday is the Rough Riders women's franchise opener against the N.Y. Magic at Michael J. Tully Park in New Hyde Park, L.I. at 6 p.m.
"It hasn't been a problem," McSheffrey said.
McSheffrey said it was his idea to have two coaches because running the Rough Riders is both their second jobs.
Their jobs can't be any different. Fitzgerald is a police detective, while McSheffrey is the director of the Syosset Soccer Club in the Long Island Junior Soccer League.
"Declan trains numerous teams," Fitzgerald said. "Both of us have real jobs. We work together."
McSheffrey said it was his idea to have two coaches instead of one. He wanted to make sure practices were covered just in case someone couldn't make it, bring in a quality coach and someone not only that he knew but had a similar coaching philosophy.
"I believe the two or us we'd be there (practice) 100 percent of the time and each of us 96 percent of the time," he said.
Sure enough, Fitzgerald had to miss the team's first practice because he was called in on a case at the last minute as McSheffrey ran the show.
And there are other advantages at practice.
"The real good thing from a coaching perspective is that we're able to do twice as much at practice than we usually do," McSheffrey said. "I could take the forwards and he'll take the goalkeepers. It's (the forwards) taking 100 as opposed to 10."
Fitzgerald, the associate coach of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy men's team at King Points, is back for his second tour in the W-League. He coached the Lady Riders from 1996-98, guiding them to the league title in 1997.
The biggest difference in nine years? "College have come on board much more than then," he said. "The first college coach I called was Anson Dorrance, who is the best college coach (at North Carolina). . . . Ten years ago, I called only local colleges.
"Being a college coach myself, I understand the process because it part of my job."
McSheffrey, on the other hand, has enjoyed success at the youth level, coaching four teams after performing two seasons for the Rough Riders men's side in the team's early days.
"I do everything," said McSheffrey, who organizes all the age-group programs from four to 19 and selects coaches for the travel program, among other responsibilities.
Last year he guided the Syosset Arsenal to the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association Open Cup Girls Under-12 title. The Arsenal is in line to duplicate the feat this year with a quarterfinal match vs. Clarkstown looming Sunday.
On Saturday, however, the focus of McSheffrey and Fitzgerald will be on the Rough Riders women.
Fitzgerald again found some humor in this unique scenario.
"If we win the game," he said, "the decisions are mine. If we lose, the decisions are his."
Since Fitzgerald was interviewed first for this story -- no favorites here; that's just the way it worked out -- McSheffrey got the last word.
"When we lose, he'll be the guy who'll take the fall," he said. "When we win, I'll be the one taking credit."
Hmmm. Virtually the same comments in separate interviews.
Sounds like they're on the same page already.
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