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Sica is no stranger to 'Cougar way'

Ron Marn's successor as head coach is a former Countryside player and assistant long familiar with the soccer program's tradition.

By RODNEY PAGE

© St. Petersburg Times, published November 14, 2000

Talk to Ron Marn for more than five minutes and he's sure to bring up the "Countryside family," or the "Cougar way."

Like Dean Smith did on a much larger scale with North Carolina basketball, Marn has spent nearly two decades building Countryside's soccer "family."

So when he decided to call it quits after 18 years as the Cougars' only coach, he strongly suggested David Sica be his successor.

Sica was, after all, a former player who grew up in the area's strong club programs. He was part of the "family."

"David was one of the very best players Countryside has ever had," Marn said. "He's a very sharp kid. I had no problem recommending him for the job."

Sica, 23, became Countryside's second head coach after assisting Marn last season. Sica's assistant will be former teammate Randy Irrick.

Sica took a teaching job at Countryside this year. He teaches algebra and English. His mentor during his first year is Marn.

"I've always wanted to coach," Sica said. "I just didn't know it would happen this soon."

When Marn started the Countryside program in 1980, Sica was 3 years old. Through the years, Marn built the Cougars into perennial powers, highlighted by a 1991 Class 4A state championship.

While Marn was busy coaching soccer, Sica was busy playing the game. He was a star midfielder for the Clearwater Chargers and Countryside Lightning, successful area club teams that fed Countryside High School.

Sica joined Countryside for the 1991-92 season and graduated in 1995.

He chose not to play college soccer and instead earned a degree in business administration and communications from the University of Central Florida in three years. But his passion for soccer was kicking.

Sica plays on a club squad that includes Clearwater coach Bruce Toscani and Palm Harbor University coach Juan Pablo Pinzon. And aside from being the Countryside boys coach, Sica is at the helm of the girls junior varsity team.

"I look at it as a way to give something back to the game," Sica said. "It taught me dedication and hard work, and I want to teach that to others."

Sica has his work cut out for him. Countryside is coming off a 9-9-2 season that included a first-round exit in the district tournament.

The Cougars' pipeline of club players has been siphoned by the addition of East Lake and Palm Harbor University.

Countryside starts its season Wednesday at Seminole.

Not only will it be difficult to improve with a young team, but the Cougars must learn to play for somebody other than Marn.

"The first couple of days (of practice) I think they tried to push the envelope a little bit," Sica said. "Mr. Marn isn't here any more, so maybe they want to see what they can get away with.

"But a lot of these guys grew up watching me play, so they know I know about the game," he said. "I think they've responded well, but I think it will take until about mid-season before we really see how good we are."

If things get bad, Sica always can go to his old coach. Marn teaches at Countryside. Every once in a while he wanders out to practice, and he expects to attend several home games.

"I don't expect him to do things the way I did," Marn said. "I expect him to change some things. He's not an old fogey set in his ways like I am. So far, I like what he's done."

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