Trask to Indiana rumor?

[Big D]

Some on the bigsoccer board say that John Trask is in contention for the job at IU.

I'd hate to see him leave this program right now....although he has a bit of a rebuilding job this year.

www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1234056&highlight=trask&page=13

[FuryJP]

That's horrible news, i hope it doesn't happen. I really would love to see him build a dynasty here at UIC. It'll give me something to look forward to as an Alum.

[UICJohn]

So the good news is that Indiana named Todd Yeagley their newest head coach. Bad news is that now there is another new job opening. I am still thinking that he has a good thing here with a very competetive salary at a school committed to soccer so hopefully that holds up.

[Big D]

Dodged one bullet.

Didn't Trask turn down Wisconsin last year before Yeagley was hired? Maybe he only stayed at UIC because he expected to have such a great season? He is from Wisconsin, isn't he? I don't know....maybe a 50/50 shot right now of him staying.

Love to see him stay though. I know he can rebuild this program.

[UICJohn]

He is from Wisconsin so that might hurt. I believe his wife is from Chicago. He has had success here. Is Wisconsin really a step up? I mean while its not the big 10 the horizon league is a solid league. Soccer is a main sport at Uic where at Wisconsin its a side sport. I can't imagine salary is that much of a difference at Wisconsin either. Here is to hoping but I will be optimistic and say he stays at Uic...for the rest of his career!

[uic53]

Don't look now but the next rumor has Trask going to Northwestern. It was a foregone conclusion that Yeagley was going to get the job at IU. Now, word has it that the NU coach is headed to Clemson with Trask headed to NU. This would be terrible for our soccer program. UIC got real lucky with being able to hire Trask and I don't know where they would be able to hire a replacement of his caliber. Hopefully, UIC will do all they can to make sure Coach Trask stays around for a long, long time.

[Big D]

Trask to Wisconsin is one thing. Trask to a rival program in Chicago, where he'd likely be recruiting against us for years, is something entirely different. Is NU really a step up? Has to be harder to recruit at. Higher salary? I can't imagine NU pays a ton more than UIC for soccer. Maybe just wants to play in the Big Ten? This would be a huge blow to UIC, its program, and its fans. I certainly hope this is just a rumor.

[UICJohn]

When it comes to UIC soccer rumors, I go by what oldguy on the soccer boards say. So far, the Northwestern stuff is just a rumor. Less scholarships but it is the Big 10. I also couldn't imagine it would be easier to recruit overall. In the end I guess its just the wait and are approach and hope we come out on top.

[Big D]

latest from bigsoccer...

"sources say trask to uw this friday..."

not looking good...

[Big D]

oldguyfc, UIC soccer insider and close friend of Trask, said this about UIC...

"This is strictly my opinion, but given the fact that UW's budget is over twice as much as UIC's, and that Trask has been fighting the same battles he was five years ago when he came to UIC, whether or not Barry and co. have any idea what they have or don't would be over-ridden by the peace-of-mind UW might bring.
Trask has always been been in a situation in which he has one arm tied behind his back at UIC - they have a basketball program that pays a coach over $300,000 a year and would have a hard time beating a good high school team; to boot, this is the supposed "revenue sport" at UIC, my bet is that they don't even break-even.
They have a baseball program that just got a new big-money turf field, Trask still hasn't been able to get drain tile for his grass soccer field; and fights every year to get extra grass seed - the field is still one of the best college fields in the Midwest, and that's because of Ray the grounds keeper and John, who's out there all the time with his team punching holes from the field and replacing them with good ones from the sidelines.
It isn't unusual to find him (Trask) all alone, with a pitchfork, working on the field.
I remember when John got here in Chicago and was sleeping on friend's couches, including mine, and in his office for the first few months. He wasn't getting paid enough to afford an apartment in any area but where he ended up; a small two-bedroom above a hub-cap shop in south Pilsen on Blue Island.
People can think whatever they want about the guy, and yea, he's a dick head some of the time (which is probably why we've been friends for so long); but he's busted his ass at UIC, and has barely had room to breathe most of the time. They sleep 3-coaches to a room on the road; he recruits in places where he can stay with friends because he doesn't have the budget to do anything else.
When you look at the things he and his staff have accomplished at UIC and put it into the proper perspective, he's been, hands-down, one of the top 5 coaches in the country in the last few years. There's no arm-chair recruiting going on here; and he loses more players then he gets from the USA; he's been fortunate to have some decent connections over-seas to fill those gaps."

www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1234056&page=35

Yikes....

[Big D]

more from oldguyfc...

"Partially, but it was also because of promises made to him by the UIC Athletic Department - only a few of which were ever kept. Shame on John for taking someone for his word and not having it written down on paper, signed, and notarized."

When an apparent friend of John Trask is bad-mouthing UIC and spilling behind-the-scenes dirt before JT officially leaves, I think it's pretty clear that he's already got both feet out of the door....it's just a matter of waiting for the announcement now.

This guy shames John, but shame on UIC as well. All parties deserve what they get.

[goflames31]

Unfortunately that all sounds legit and probable. Hopefully some compromises can be made and a late hour deal brokered. We can only hope...

[I'm In The Front Row]

Crap!!