Crew name Warzycha coach

Dec 22, 2008 - 9:35 PM COLUMBUS, Ohio (Ticker) -- The Columbus Crew on Monday named longtime assistant coach Robert Warzycha the fifth head coach in club history.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Warzycha replaces Sigi Schmid, who did not return to the team after leading the Crew to the MLS championship in November.

Schmid on Wednesday was named the first coach of the expansion Seattle Sounders FC.

"There was significant interest in our head coaching position and we considered several candidates, but none of them brought more soccer expertise, experience or potential to lead our club than Robert Warzycha," Crew general manager Mark McCullers said. "And certainly, none approached the commitment and loyalty to the Crew that he possesses."

Warzycha, 45, was one of the Crew's all-time greats on the field and recently completed his seventh season on the club's coaching staff and sixth as a full-time coach.

In the midst of that tenure, Warzycha distinguished himself during a 16-game stint as interim head coach from July 12, 2005 through the end of that season. He took over a 4-10-2 team and went 7-6-3 the rest of the way.

Following that season, he accepted the club's offer to stay on as Schmid's top assistant and, in doing so, became the first Crew assistant ever to sign a multi-year contract.

Over the next three years, he played a vital role in the construction and development of the most successful team in club history. The 2008 Crew won the Supporters' Shield with a 17-7-6 record and 57 points, then went on to claim the club's first championship.

"I would like to thank the Hunt Family and Mark McCullers for this opportunity," Warzycha said. "My family and I have been with the Crew and called central Ohio home for the last 12 and a half years and I am looking forward to this next chapter, leading the club as its head coach."

Warzycha's retirement as a player following the 2002 season capped a highly decorated, 16-year playing career.

He remains the club's all-time career assists (61) leader and ranks fifth in games played (160) and fourth in points (99)."