As the semester kicks off and men’s and women’s basketball enter the race for Patriot League titles, here’s our roundup of what you may have missed in AU sports over winter break.
Zach Samol named head coach for men’s soccer
Zach Samol was hired as men’s soccer’s head coach for the 2019 season, according to a release from the athletic department on Dec. 21.
The Eagle previously reported that former head coach Todd West was fired in early December after 19 seasons at AU.
Samol spent the last 13 years coaching men’s soccer at Georgetown University, with his last seven as the team’s associate head coach. With Samol, Georgetown made seven appearances in the NCAA Tournament. Samol is the 16th head coach in the program’s 60 years.
Tiffany Coll appointed as associate head coach for women’s basketball
Tiffany Coll’s promotion from women’s basketball head coach Megan Gebbia’s first assistant coach to associate head coach of women’s basketball became official over winter break, according to a release from the athletic department on Dec. 17.
“Her next step is to become a head coach, and this opportunity to be an associate head will help other coaches see that,” Gebbia said. “If we do well, that’s only going to help her move forward in her career.”
Coll said that she does not see the coaching dynamic changing between herself and assistant coaches Nikki Flores and Emily Stallings with her new position. “We always stand by each other and work hard together,” Coll said.
“It just feels good to be appreciated in what I’m doing,” Coll said. “One of my favorite parts was getting texts from former players to congratulate me, that was nice.”
Megan Gebbia celebrates 100th win
Gebbia, who has been the head coach of women’s basketball since 2013, celebrated her 100th win with a home victory over Colgate on Jan. 6.
Billy Walker, director of athletics and recreation, presented Gebbia with an award before Saturday’s home game against Army West Point.
Free tickets for federal employees
Federal government employees can get two free tickets to all AU home games in January, according to a release from the athletic department on Jan. 3.
Due to the government shutdown, federal employees with valid ID can pick up tickets for themselves and one guest for five women’s basketball games, four men’s basketball games and three wrestling duals in Bender this month.
