Men’s soccer Head Coach Keith Tabatznik, who coached Georgetown for 22 seasons and became the winningest coach in the program’s history, resigned Friday, according to a university statement.
The American University grad guided the Hoyas to 13 Big East and two NCAA tournament appearances. Twice, in 1994 and 1997, Tabatznik was named Big East Coach of the Year, compiling a career record of 220-187-23.
Tabatznik is the latest of several coaches to tender their resignations over the past two months. Head Football Coach Bob Benson, Head Tennis Coach Rick Bausch and Head Volleyball Coach Li Liu all resigned after 13, 22 and seven years on the Hilltop, respectively.
Most recently, Tabatznik’s Hoyas finished 10-9-1 (6-5 Big East) and concluded their season in the second round of the Big East tournament. Though they had several particularly talented players – including senior defender Jeff Curtin, junior forward Ricky Schramm and senior midfielder Ben Jefferson-Dow – Georgetown wasn’t quite able to elevate itself to the level of the Big East’s best.
Though they started the year 7-2, a three-week 1-5 stretch all but ruined their chances of postseason success.
“I have been privileged to share the Georgetown University experience with so many student-athletes throughout the years,” Tabatznik said in a press release announcing the decision. “I’m blessed to have had great memories from my time here and I will always be part of Georgetown, even as I move into my next professional challenge. I will continue to bleed Blue and Gray.”
What’s more, in an email Tabatznik wrote, “I could write a book on how much this “job” has meant to me and about all the great moments (and not so great!). Suffice it to say that as we get older the past moments keep getting better as do our friendships.”
Where his next professional challenge lies is not immediately clear. Tabatznik has not yet been hired by another university.
“We are grateful for Keith’s service and guidance during his time here,” Athletic Director Bernard Muir said in the statement. “He has helped make the Georgetown men’s soccer program one of the most competitive in the Big East Conference and one that has been recognized nationally. We respect his decision and wish him our best.”
Whether or not the Hoyas are one of the most competitive in the Big East is debatable – they won just one Big East regular season title – but Tabatznik’s overall contributions to the program remain impressive.
Thirty-two of Tabatznik’s players made an all-Big East team, and twelve Georgetown players played professionally after leaving Tabatznik’s squad, with the next likely to be Curtin, who was selected 14th overall by the Chicago Fire in last month’s MLS draft.
Perhaps more importantly, 24 Hoyas during Tabatznik’s reign were selected as NSCAA-adidas Scholar-Athletes.
“Georgetown University and the soccer program have been a major part of my life for the past 22 years,” Tabatznik said in the statement. “Although I’m moving on, a part of me will always be here. I am looking forward to coming back and watching the team succeed in the Big East.”
Muir said that the university will begin a national search for a new head coach. A time table was not specified, but Muir’s move to replace Benson with new Head Football Coach Kevin Kelly was made within three weeks of Benson’s departure.
Additionally, Associate Head Coach Jon Pascale has left Georgetown in favor of becoming an assistant at Stanford University, it was announced by Stanford Sports Information.
Tabatznik was not immediately available for an interview.
