Youth guiding VCU teams

VCU has five head coaches under age 34: field hockey coach Kelly McQuade, 27, women’s soccer head co-coaches Tim and Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak, 32, men’s basketball coach Shaka Smart, 32, and cross country and track and field coach Jon Riley, 34.

“I just try to hire the best ones,” said Norwood Teague, VCU’s athletic director. “They just happen to be young. We needed someone who was top notch.”

Recent success in basketball, field hockey, soccer and track are indicators that players are working well with coaches, but some athletes say their coach’s success has more to do with their character than age.

“Coach Riley is a great guy,” said Stephanie Newing, pole vaulter. “It has less to do with his age and more to do with his approach and ideas.”

A common denominator with many of the younger coaches is they are not far removed from their playing careers.

Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak played for the USA Women’s National Soccer team for 10 years. During her playing career she won a World Cup and Olympic Gold medal.

Former Major League Soccer and University of North Carolina Tarheel player, Tim Sahaydak said he credits his playing career as a key factor in getting his job.

“I think having some success on the field as a player helps you get your foot in the door,” Sahaydak said, “because you have some instant credibility.”

McQuade played field hockey and lacrosse at Colonial Athletic Association rival William and Mary.

McQuade said she believes experience can give an older coach an edge. However, a younger coach’s enthusiasm can make up the difference.

“Enthusiasm is a huge driving force for a younger coach. We are eager to gain a positive reputation amongst our peers,” McQuade said. “That is a great motivating force behind the hard work that is coaching.”

Experience would seem to be the major drawback from hiring young coaches, but the resumés of some of these coaches reflect seasoned professionals.

For example, Smart served as an assistant coach at California University in Pennsylvania, University of Akron, Clemson University and University of Florida, and played at Kenyon College in Ohio from 1995-99.

Riley played professional football in the Canadian Football League. After his playing career, he went to volunteer at his St. Augustine high school in Louisiana as a track and field assistant.

Riley jumped to be an assistant at his alma mater Southeast Missouri State and then as a top assistant at Belmont University in Nashville.

Current track and field and cross country assistant coach Ethan Tussing was interim head coach of the VCU track and field and cross country teams for the 2007-08 season at age 26.