UPDATE: Akron's Porter awarded new deal

• by Soccer America , Dec 12, 2008

Akron's Caleb Porter, one of the most-sought after coaches in college soccer, has been awarded his second new contract in less than a year. The new contract for the 2007 and 2008 Mid-American Coach of the Year is a five-year deal.

"It is a good day for the Akron men's soccer program," UA athletics director Mack Rhoades said. "Coach Porter is very well deserving of this new contract. He inherited a storied program that has experienced much success and, in his three years, has continued to build upon that tradition."

The new agreement, effective March 1, 2009, follows one of the most successful seasons in program history and will replace the previous contract extension granted to Porter last June.

The Zips, the No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament, earned their fourth trip to the Sweet 16.

Porter, a former Indiana assistant, took over at Akron in 2006 and has earned a reputation as a master recruiter. Sophomore Steve Zakuani is a contender for Player of the Year honors, and Darlington Nagbe and Kofi Sarkodie were two of the top freshmen in the country's.

The Zips' 2009 freshman class could be the top class in the country.