Bowling Green State University Athletics
Economopolous to Coach Oklahoma State Cowgirls
March 19, 2007 | Men's Soccer
March 19, 2007
STILLWATER, Okla. - Former Bowling Green State University assistant coach Tony Economopoulos has been hired as the goalkeeper's coach at Oklahoma State University announced head coach Colin Carmichael.
Economopoulos is an Oklahoma native.
"It is very exciting to return to the state," Economopoulos said. "I have a lot of ties and connections to the area so the transition should be an easy one to make."
Economopoulos replaces former OSU assistant coach Robby Hagemann, who left the staff in January to pursue other interests. He will serve as the goalkeeper coach under Carmichael who assumed full head coaching duties in January. Last season, Carmichael was one half of a coaching duo named runner-up National Coaches of the Year by Soccer Buzz.
"We are excited to have Tony join our coaching staff," Carmichael said. "He is an excellent coach and will bring years of goalkeeper experience to our team." In 2006, the OSU keeper corps allowed a mere 16 goals en route to a 17-3-3 season and a NCAA tournament birth.
He joins the Cowgirl staff after having spent the past four seasons as the top assistant for Bowling Green's men's program, including a brief stint as the interim head coach in the spring of 2004.
While studying communications, the 1997 graduate of Oklahoma City University was a four-year goalkeeper for the Stars and helped them to one conference championship and Regional Tournament appearances in 1995 and 1996. Economopoulos also played semi-professionally for the Oklahoma City Slickers of the USISL and the Oklahoma City Warriors, who captured the 1993 USISL Championship.
He also served as a trainer for the Edmond Sante Fe high school varsity team before he earned his first job in collegiate soccer at Western Illinois in 2001. He handled many of the administrative duties as a member of the staff at Western Illinois. In 2002, he was nominated for National Assistant Coach of the Year.
That same year, he earned his National "B" Coaching License from the United States Soccer Federation.
"There will be an adjustment to make. Psychologically, men and women are different. Working with goalkeepers is a little easier because of the nature of the position. It is definitely a challenge I look forward to embracing."
In 2006, OSU improved from a ninth-place finish in the Big 12 in 2005 to finish second in the league this season. The Cowgirls, who garnered a final ranking of No. 12 by Soccer Buzz, won the first NCAA Tournament game in school history after shutting out UNC-Greensboro.
The Cowgirls were led by Yolanda Odenyo who was named a first team All-American by both the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and Soccer Buzz. Numerous other Cowgirls were awarded post-season honors.
Some information courtesy of Chris Matthews and OSU Athletic Media Relations
