Tennessee lures away UMd. women’s soccer coach Brian Pensky

By Charles Boehm

The University of Tennessee announced the hiring of Brian Pensky as its women’s soccer coach on Thursday, confirming weeks of rumors that reportedly reflected the Volunteers’ persistent pursuit of the longtime University of Maryland coach.

Pensky replaces Angela Kelly, who recently left Knoxville for Austin, Tex. to take over the University of Texas women’s team.

"I am humbled and honored to be the next head women's soccer coach at the University of Tennessee," said Pensky in a press release. "There were a number of factors that went into this decision, including the tradition of athletic excellence, the passionate fan base, and the first-class facilities. But most importantly, [wife] Abby and I were impressed by the family atmosphere within this athletics department, and we were very much drawn to that. We are very thankful to have the opportunity to join the Tennessee family."

Late Thursday night Washington Post soccer writer Steve Goff reported that Tennessee approached Pensky twice in recent weeks, with Maryland electing not to match the Volunteers’ second, improved salary offer.

Goff also cited industry sources who claim that the Tennessee program’s operating budget is more than twice the size of Maryland’s, with biting financial problems recently forcing UMd. to slash its athletic programs and begin the process of eliminating several sports. UT does not have a varsity men’s soccer team.

Pensky began his coaching career as the leader of the boys’ soccer program at the Bullis School in Potomac, Md. before moving on to work in the college game at George Washington and Loyola (Md.). He spent a decade in College Park, first as an assistant under men’s soccer coach Sasho Cirovski and then as the head of the women’s program for the past seven seasons.

There he helped inspire marked improvements, especially over the past three years, as the Terrapin women climbed into the top echelon of the Atlantic Coast Conference and became perennial NCAA Tournament participants. Pensky’s squad racked up a 44-14-9 overall record from 2009-11 and notched three straight winning records in ACC play for the first time ever.

[ +Read Goff’s full blog post on the Pensky situation here ]

[ +Visit the UMd. women's soccer home page here ]