Penn State soccer programs host youth clinic to benefit Mack Brady scholarship fund
Appointed the 11th head coach in the history of the Penn State men's soccer program on May 24, 2010, Bob Warming made an immediate impact in his first two seasons in charge of the Nittany Lions, guiding the teams to the Big Ten tournament championship game both years.
The 2011 campaign presented a major milestone for Warming as he became the 31st NCAA Division 1 men's soccer head coach to capture 400 career victories after the Nittany Lions downed Florida International, 1-0, in the team's fourth game of the season. Penn State struggled through the Big Ten regular season, but hit its stride in the conference tournament, earning the distinction of being the first No. 7 seed to reach the title game.
The Nittany Lions switched roles from a high-powered offense in 2010 to a shutdown defense in 2011. The team allowed just 14 goals, the fewest since the 1977 squad surrended 12 scores. Rookie goalkeeper Andrew Wolverton set school records for the most shutouts in a season (12) and led the Big Ten in GAA (0.60) and save percentage (.821).
Despite not even meeting the predominance of his 2010 team for the first time until just weeks before the season began, Warming led the Lions to 14 wins, the most since by a PSU team since 2002, a Big Ten Tournament title game appearance, and to the program's first NCAA postseason victory in five years.
Penn State boasted one of the nation's most prolific offenses in 2010, totaling 144 points (45 goals, 54 assists) in 23 games. Junior forward Corey Hertzog posted the most productive season by a Nittany Lion in 55 years, recording an NCAA-leading 20 goals and 46 points. Senior midfielder Matheus Braga led the nation and shattered the Big Ten single season record in assists, registering 17. Both players earned NSCAA Second Team All-American honors.
Also successful in the classroom, Penn State received the NSCAA Team Academic Achievement Award in 2010, earning the honor with a 3.07 team GPA.
Warming's three-plus decades as a head coach have been signified by distinction, achievement, and success. The six-time finalist for national coach of the year and 2008 winner of the award, according to FieldTurf Tarkett, holds a lofty place in the NCAA record book, ranking sixth among active Division I head coaches and 15th in Division I history with 397 victories. Warming is also one of only two active coaches in Division I to take two different programs to the College Cup.
Warming, whose distinguished career spans 33 years, came to Happy Valley from Creighton University, where he took over a previously dormant program and developed it into a conference and regional power and national title contender.
In 14 total years in Omaha, served in two different stints (1990-94, 2001-09), Warming, the winningest coach in program history, led the Bluejays to 190 victories, seven Missouri Valley Conference regular season and tournament championships, 11 NCAA Championship appearances, and to the 2002 College Cup. His teams proved nearly unbeatable at home, compiling a 107-18-15 record in Omaha. In recognition of his dominance in league play, Warming, a three-time Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year honoree, was named the MVC All-Centennial Team Coach in 2006.
An ardent believer in giving back through charitable works, Warming's 2009 Creighton squad won the community service award for performing over 1500 hours of volunteer activities, including working on Habitat for Humanity projects, reading to elementary school students, and helping out at hospitals. Warming has also has served as the honorary chairman of the Boy Scouts of America for Nebraska and as the honorary chairman of the Omaha Children's Crisis Center annual fund raiser.
Warming has not only built successful teams on the field, but also assisted with the design, fundraising, and construction management of three collegiate soccer stadiums, including, most recently, the $13 million, 6,000-seat, state-of-the-art Michael G. Morrison, S.J., Stadium at Creighton. He and his winning teams helped fill the stands at Morrison Stadium, as Creighton led the MVC and ranked in the NCAA top 10 in attendance each of the past seven seasons.
In honor of significant contributions made to the athletic program at the university, Warming was inducted into the Creighton Athletics Hall of Fame in April 2011, becoming just the seventh head coach to earn the honor in its 43-year history.
In between his tenures at Creighton, Warming served as head coach at Saint Louis University, where he guided it to four Conference USA championships, three NCAA Championship berths, and the 1997 College Cup. His Billiken teams also finished ranked in the top 20 in all four seasons.
Warming also previously held head coaching positions at Old Dominion (1996), Charlotte (1982-88), Berry College (1977-81), and Transylvania University (1976). His career coaching record stands at an impressive 406-197-69 (.656).
Warming has also produced numerous professional prospects, as at least one of his players has been selected in every MLS draft or supplemental draft. He has seen a total of 27 of his players drafted since the league's inception in 1996. Most recently, Mark Fetrow was selected by the Vancouver Whitecaps with the No. 59 pick in the fourth round of the 2012 supplemental draft. In 2011, Corey Hertzog was selected by the New York Red Bulls with the No. 13 pick in the first round of the SuperDraft while Drew Cost was a supplemental draft choice of Real Salt Lake.
A 1975 graduate of Berea College (Ky.), Warming was a four-sport varsity letterwinner, starring on the golf, swimming, tennis, and soccer teams. As a starting goalkeeper, he posted a 28-2-2 record. Warming also holds a master's of science degree in sport administration from Eastern Kentucky University.
Warming and his wife, Cindy, have four children - Emily, Bess, and twins Grant and the late Audrey.
