 "Photo: N/A")
When West Virginia head men’s soccer coach Marlon LeBlanc was being mentioned last week as a name to replace Penn State coach Barry Gorman, it didn’t come as a surprise.
What was a suprise, however, was that LeBlanc pulled his name out of the race to become the Nittany Lions’ new head coach and for him to coach his alma mater.
"It was a difficult decision to pull out of that process, especially at my alma mater," LeBlanc said. "It was a great opportunity."
Although there was temptation to be involved with his alma mater, LeBlanc said he had everything he wanted at West Virginia. LeBlanc played for Penn State as a student and became an assistant coach under Gorman until leaving for WVU in 2006.
LeBlanc has not only established himself as the face of the WVU soccer program, but he also plays a prominent role in OneWVU, the University’s diversity program. OneWVU, which LeBlanc was instrumental in creating, helps promote diversity among all races of students, faculty and staff through fellowship on WVU’s campuses.
The initiative is something that LeBlanc said he holds near to his heart and helped make his decision to stay at WVU easier.
"It is something I certainly have put a lot of time into and truly believe in," LeBlanc said. "Obviously, when you put that much time and energy into a program, you want to see things through."
LeBlanc said it is important to him to be recognized as more than just the men’s soccer coach at WVU.
"I am glad I am able to make an impact at the University in some way other than just the soccer program," he said.
OneWVU is not the only reason LeBlanc decided to stay, though. He has been able to build strong relationships with other coaches at the University, specifically WVU head women’s basketball coach Mike Carey and head men’s basketball coach Bob Huggins – both of which LeBlanc considers some of his best friends.
"I love them both dearly," LeBlanc said. "Both of them are reasons that I wanted to stay at WVU. The relationship I have built with each of them means a lot to me. Those guys were instrumental in me staying."
The last reason LeBlanc gave for staying put was his devotion to the WVU soccer program.
"We are really on the verge of doing something great here," LeBlanc said. "We are now finally going to break into what I envision us being – a top 10 program."
Heading into his fifth season as head coach, LeBlanc has a 41-23-16 record. He led the Mountaineers to the NCAA Tournament twice. LeBlanc’s 2006 team won the Big East Conference regular-season title, and he was named Big East Coach of the Year along with other national coaching accolades.
LeBlanc wants to see more than just results on the field for his program, though.
"With our guys, it’s a lot about the character and the offering of a chance to grow as more than just a soccer player," he said. "One of the things that our place does well in comparison of other schools is that we not only teach our guys how to be great soccer players, but also great citizens."
Penn State has yet to hire a new head coach.
1 comments