UT coach on D-I radar

Bobby Johnston likely is off to James Madison.

By DAVID NORRIE
Published April 11, 2007

Last season, women's soccer coach Bobby Johnston led the University of Tampa to its first NCAA national semifinals appearance. If the program hopes to make it back this year, it looks as if it will do so under another coach.

Johnston is expected to resign this week to take a position as women's assistant head soccer coach at his alma mater, Division I James Madison in Harrisonburg, Va.

Johnston is the Spartans' all-time winningest coach with a career record of 69-23-7 over five seasons. He was the first UT women's coach to capture a Sunshine State Conference title in soccer, doing so in 2005 and repeating last season, earning SSC Coach of the Year honors in both seasons.

He brought the Spartans to the verge of a national title last year, compiling a school-record 18 wins while leading the team to an appearance in the Division II Final Four. In doing so, he was recognized by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America as the South Region Coach of the Year, which he won in 2005 as well.

At James Madison, Johnston would work under coach David Lombardo, who ranks among the winningest active coaches in Division I. Lombardo has led the Dukes to seven NCAA tournament berths while posting a career mark of 206-135-23 in 18 seasons.

Johnston played at JMU from 1990-93, earning first-team all-conference and second-team all-region honors while leading his team in assists.

[Last modified April 10, 2007, 22:54:57]