SCSU names Glad Bugariu new soccer coach

Photo: South Carolina State University Bulldogs soccer coach Glad Bugariu.

By SCSU Sports Information

Glad Bugariu has been named women's soccer coach at South Carolina State University, athletics director Charlene Johnson announced Wednesday. Glad, who succeeds Amy Olson, takes over the S.C. State program after three seasons (2005-2007) as head coach at Belmont Abbey College in Charlotte, North Carolina.

In three seasons at Belmont Abbey, Bugariu compiled a record of 52-12-2. His teams dominated the Div. II Conference Carolinas, capturing two regular season championships (2007, 2005), two tournament titles (2006, 2005) and one runner-up tournament finish (2007).

Belmont Abbey was 18-4-1 this past season and earned the school's first NSCAA national ranking (#22) since 1999. His 2006 team compiled a 16-4-1 mark and garnered him Area Coach of the Year honorable mention from the Charlotte Observer. The 2005 squad was 18-4, a record which earned the college the nation's second-most improved team distinction in the NCAA following a 10-9-1 mark the year before.

"We are obviously very pleased that Coach Bugariu will be directing the soccer program here at SC State," said Bulldog athletics director Charlene Johnson. "He brings to our program extensive experience and a very successful coaching career."

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SCSU just hired a gem of a soccer coach in Glad Bugariu. This is the way it should be done--hire a proven, exceptional Division II coach with a successful history, seeking the opportunity to coach at the Division I level. Our programs should not be training grounds for rookie coaches--get your experience at Division III and Division II programs. Then move up after proving you have what it takes to be successful at the Division I level.

Great move athletic director, Johnson. We need to see more of this type of hiring across the board in the MEAC and SWAC conferences. The goal should be winning NCAA Championships, not just getting a .500 season record. Howard University did it in soccer (won NCAA national championship); so can South Carolina State University. Go Bulldogs!

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