NASL: Jacksonville fires Tony Meola
- by Mike Woitalla @MikeWoitalla, Aug 8, 2016
“I will never waver in my commitment to our fans of giving them a team that competes for championships,” said Armada FC owner and CEO Mark Frisch. “Unfortunately, our results this season have not reflected that promise. After much thought and careful consideration, I strongly believe this is the best decision to make for our club, players and loyal supporters.”
Meola's assistant coach Jim Rooney was also let go while assistant coach Mark Lowry has been named the interim head coach for the remainder of the 2016 Fall Season.
Jacksonville, which is winless in its last six games and conceded a club record number of goals in Wednesday's 5-2 loss to Indy Eleven, is in 11th-place in the 12-team standings.
The club also promoted Nathan Walter from assistant technical director to technical director, a role that Meola also served.
I stopped being a fan of Meola when he went to the NFL, saying it was what he had ALWAYS wanted to do. Don't remember if it was as a kicker or punter, or which team. Of course, he must have gotten bundles of money compared to his MLS salary. But the reason he gave was for the superiority of football over soccer. Apparently, it didn't work out. Karma.
Hey I love "near post" Tony he tried a lot of things acting during dinner theather productions.if I remember right Tony and Jim Rooney were friends and team mates on the Long Island rough riders.
Tony used to do a drill for keepers. It went like this.
"The coach rolls the ball between your legs, and then you have to turn and save it. Meola said he thought it was the stupidest drill ever... until it happened to him in a game and he turned and made the save!"
To bad he is a like able guy.
The coaching staff cannot make miracles ... except when it comes to making things disappear.