Steve Sampson unretires as Cal Poly men's head coach
- by Paul Kennedy @pkedit, Dec 28, 2021
In November, the former U.S. men's national team coach announced that he was stepping aside after seven seasons in charge of the Mustangs, a move he said came "as a result of extensive conversations with my physicians and family, who recommended that I reduce my activity for the improvement of my health."
A month later, he said he would return after having surgeries on his upper and lower back.
"Well, when you least expect it, things change in your life," Sampson said in a statement. "Cal Poly has offered me a multi-year contract with the opportunity to get my surgeries done, recover and then return to the team."
Sampson, 64, coached Santa Clara for five years, leading the Broncos to a national championship they shared with Virginia in 1989 before becoming a U.S. men's national team assistant coach.
He replaced Bora Milutinovic as head coach in 1995 and led the USA to third place at the 1995 Copa America and a place at the 1998 World Cup, where it lost all three games.
He later coached Costa Rica and the LA Galaxy, which won its second MLS Cup in 2005.
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Just a few words re the above article: I will boast the fact that I've had the pleasure of knowing Coach Steve Sampson from the moment he stepped on the UCLA Bruin Soccer pitch in the early '70's to my time with him working at the WC USA 1994 Offices in Los Angeles. Throughout this time, I've found him to be not just an excellent amigo, but an excellent person, on and off the pitch. In short, I've followed his career up until his announcement to retire, but more recently when I learned that he was coming out of retirement to resume his coaching career. I might add that together with his old UCLA teammate, Sigi Schmid, one couldn't ask for better all around friends, and it was especially heartwarming when Coach Bora "recruited" him, Sigi and Ralph Perez to assist him with our men's national team. Another not too well known fact about Coach Steve, is that he ought to be given credit for having planted the seed for the formation of the then little known LATIN AMERICAN SOCCER COACHES ASSOCIATION, that I and Coach Luis Sagastume, Ralph Perez, Jose Supe, and others formed with some success. Good luck in your future endeavors, Profesor Steve, all the very best and hope to see you again sometime next year!!! H. Ric Fonseca & Family of W.L.A.
Ric thanks for your additions to the article. I've always liked Steve Sampson but it's nice that my impressions seem to be based on reality. I always enjoy hearing your experience in CA back in the day.