In only her first year, Athletic Director Debbie Yow was given the tough task of replacing a legend at N.C. State. After 25 years as head coach of men’s soccer, George Tarantini announced his retirement.
The good thing for Yow is that she found a coach who cares as much about making the program prominent in the ACC as she does. Coach Kelly Findley was born in Texas, but is a former North Carolina native who wants to win right away.
“The main reason I came back was obviously to coach in the ACC,” Findley said. “But I feel like he current administration is beginning a culture of excellence which excited me as well. I think there is a great opportunity at N.C. State for us to make a statement. Both [Debbie Yow] and [Associate Athletic Director] Christ Kingston are driven and both of them are committed to winning.”
Findley is the former coach of the Butler Bulldogs, who peaked at the No. 5 ranking in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America national poll last year. Findley leaves after a very successful five year tenure in which he compiled a record of 59-25-15, and made the NCAA Tournament twice, a feat he wants to continue with the Wolfpack.
“If we can get everyone on the right page and have everyone committed to the same goal, I believe this team will be in great shape next year,” Findley said. “Our goal is to make the NCAA tournament next year, and we want to put ourselves into position to win the ACC in the years to come.”
His coaching career began with the Charlotte 49ers, but Findley’s work at Butler led him to having the best winning percentage in school history.
“I think that the work he did at Butler is evidence that he is a good coach and I am looking forward to playing for him,” sophomore defender John Lung’aho said.
Lung’aho is among several players who were brought in by Tarantini that will be playing for Findley. Findley says that he is very happy with the players who are already with the program.
“The quality of players that the former staff brought in is very high,” Findley said. “The guys who are here are very good players, and I believe this team already looks strong.”
While Findley wants to win immediately at State, he also knows that the road will be tough in the ACC. Not to mention, the Pack’s biggest rival, UNC-Chapel Hill, lost in the ACC championship game last year and finished the year by losing in the College Cup.
“I think the ACC is the best conference in the country,” said Findley. “I think the standards of play, facilities and the coaches in particular are better than anywhere else. I am looking forward to playing against some of the quality coaches and teams in this league.”
Findley does not only want to make it to the NCAA tournament, he wants to be more than just a contender year after year.
Just making the NCAA Tournament year after year will not please Findley, instead the new coach is setting his sights a bit higher, hoping to compete for national titles.
“I want to win a National Championship at N.C. State,” Findley said. “The bottom line is that playing in the ACC you have the chance to make the NCAA tournament if you have a great team and you can compete every year.”
Findley not only wants to win at State, but he says that he has bought into Yow’s new motto for N.C. State athletics and is relishing the opportunity to prove people wrong next season.
“Yow has a new slogan that says we are ‘fighting the status quo’ for Wolfpack Unlimited,” said Findley. “I’m excited to be a part of that and I’m excited to coach in an atmosphere that clearly wants to win. For me, I think that everyone is going to underestimate us and we are the underdogs, so I am looking forward to the challenge.”
