Jan. 8, 2005
University of New Mexico head men’s soccer coach Jeremy Fishbein was named the 2004 National Coach of the Year by Soccer America Magazine today. Fishbein led UNM to a 17-1-2 record and the school’s first ever trip to the third round of NCAA Tournament in 2004. The team’s 8.5 game improvement from 2003 (8-9-3) was the best turnaround in the NCAA this season.
Fishbein just finished his third year at UNM and has led the Lobos to new heights since taking over in 2002. Two of the program’s most wins in a season have come under his leadership, 18 wins in 2002 and 17 wins this year. He has also guided New Mexico to two of the program’s three trips to the NCAA Tournament.
Fishbein’s record now stands at 43-14-5, including an amazing 23-1-2 at the UNM soccer Complex. This year the Lobos finished the regular season ranked No. 1 by Soccer America and they defeated No. 1 and eventual national champion Indiana, 1-0, in double-overtime on September 19 at the UNM Soccer Complex.
He is also making sure the Lobos get the job done in the classroom. In 2004, an amazing four Lobos earned Academic All-American status. Jeff Rowland and Eric Carlson were named to the ESPN the Magazine’s first team Academic All-American while Matt Wootton and Ben Ashwill were named to the second team. Rowland was the only player in the NCAA to earn both first team All-American and first team Academic All-American in 2004.