I will be rooting for Shellas with every cell in my body because I am an FCD fan. That being said, it is always a challenge for new coaches, and it usually takes time to build a system according to that coaches vision. This even includes the most exceptional people regardless of the sport, people like Bill Walsh or John Wooden.

Yes, Shellas just might fail–it certainly is a possibility. If for no other reason, he might not succeed because it is difficult to move from college to the pro ranks no matter how talented a coach happens to be! Another factor here is the Hunt Sports Group, who have not historically demonstrated the tenacity to open their wallet and do whatever it takes to win championships. How many since 1996? ZERO. Yet is it so easy to toss stones at SH.

All I can say is that I am MUCH more excited about the team we have today then the team Shellas took over day one. MUCH more excited. The entire second half of the 2009 season we outplayed every other MLS team in terms of overall winning percentage…and often we flat out smoked the other side. Late in the season at home we schooled Real Salt Lake, we beat Columbus during one of their hot streaks, and remember the LA Galaxy game on the road where Ferriera and Cunningham made Beckham and the boys look downright silly?

Like many, I also have some specific concerns and armchair criticisms of SH (like how long it took to remove Rocha, Wagner, and “Kaka’s best man” from our lineup), but I keep these concerns muted behind the reality that it is far easier to criticize from afar and pretend to be the expert than it is to first seek to understand and give a coach an actual chance to win. Plus, it is just a lot more FUN to root for Shellas Hyndman’s success. I expect great things in 2010. It might not happen of course…but let’s stay positive and allow some hope and suspense to launch our campaign this spring.

SH might fail, or he might succeed, but his lack of an NCAA title is not a valid predictor either way.

You’re confusing me. If your point is that 26 NCAA champ coaches aren’t in MLS, so what – maybe they don’t want to be.

I have never made a big deal about SH production in college affecting/indicating his production in MLS for or against. I’m open to judge him on his results.

What I was trying to demonstrate is that NCAA success certainly can lead to MLS success. The record speaks for itself. You do need the right coach in the right job.

As far as Sampson goes, I’m not going to waste time defending him or running him down. But I wouldn’t mind having his ‘lack of success’ here in the next year or two!

That’s 26 out of 30 NCAA Champion coaches that didn’t do squat at the pro level.

My point is that the people who are making a big deal out of the fact that Shellas Hyndman cannot be a good MLS coach because he did not win an NCAA championship are committing a logical fallacy. If you cannot see the statistical probability, then there really isn’t much else I can say to you.

Sampson was a bust, just ask any long time LA Galaxy fan. Also, remember how people at NY all wanted Bruce Arena’s head on a pike. There are many reasons why a coach succeeds or fails with a given system or team.

“just saying.”

That’s 5 MLS Cups out of 14 by former NCAA champs.

I’m just saying.