The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Harbin To Coach Final Regular Season Match of His Career
10/28/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 28, 2010
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- UAB women's soccer head coach Paul Harbin will coach his final regular season match Thursday night at Memphis as the Blazers take on the Tigers at 7 p.m. Harbin, the only coach in the program's history, plans to retire from UAB at the end of the 2010 season after coaching the team for 15 seasons.
"As does any college coach, I've worked countless hours each week, as well as the majority of weekends and holidays each year," Harbin said. "Over time, it's become harder and harder, with Jessica, Anna and Andrew getting older, time away from my wife, Mo, and family events I've missed out on with coaching and recruiting. Prior to the season, I knew it was time to make changes that would allow me to prioritize my time with my children, my wife and my family. Although coaching can be a consuming profession, every minute of the time it's been an absolute privilege to coach at this level, and especially at UAB.
"This fall, with the help of my wonderful assistants, Rebecca Whittle, Crystal Royall and Katie Henricks, our full attention has been on doing everything possible to give our current and future student-athletes the best opportunity to succeed on and off the field. UAB is a unique and special place. I have full confidence in the future of the team, the program, the University and our Athletic Department. Once the season's over, and I hope that's a long ways off, I'll begin to explore opportunities that will allow me to spend more time with my family."
Although Thursday marks the end of the regular season for the Blazers, they are still vying for the final spot in the six-team Conference USA Tournament, which runs Nov. 3-7 in Orlando, Fla. A win against the Tigers woul guarantee UAB the final spot.
For former Blazer Leigh Burton (2002-03, 06), the regular season finale against Memphis couldn't be a more fitting end for a coach who inspired so many people.
"I think it is fitting the last game of his regular season coaching career is against Memphis," Burton said. "We have become rivals to some extent over the years. This game is always guaranteed to be a hard-fought battle. It requires a lot of focus, guts and, ultimately, heart from each individual. I don't think Coach would want it any other way."
While Harbin is focused on the final match of the season, he also has taken time to reflect on his years at UAB.
"As the regular season winds down, it's hard to think about leaving UAB and the current team and assistant coaches," Harbin said. "My hope is that they and our former student-athletes and assistants have learned half as much from being here as I've learned from them over the years. They've all been a huge part of my life and my family's life. This whole career has been way more than I ever even imagined or dreamed. The opportunities that I've been able to enjoy, appreciate and be a part of have been incredible."
Harbin's hope is a reality as he has influenced the lives of many who have been involved with UAB soccer, including current Samford women's soccer head coach Todd Yelton, who served as an assistant under Harbin from 2000-01.
"Eleven years ago, Paul took a chance on a high school coach from Georgia when he hired me as his assistant," Yelton said. "I will always be grateful for that opportunity. He gave me a great education in how to run a Division I program. Although we have been rivals over the last several years, I have always considered him to be a friend more than anything. I am certain that this new chapter in his life will be both exciting and different. Most things with Paul generally have these two characteristics."
And it doesn't just stop with his assistants, as several former players credit Harbin and their involvement with the UAB soccer program for helping them get through college successfully.
"(Coach Harbin) has worked tremendously hard over the years not only to develop a high caliber soccer program here at UAB, but to advance the women's game as a whole," Burton said. "With that same passion and intensity, he has also helped to develop confident and responsible young women who are not afraid to take chances and are poised to take on the real world upon graduation."
Former Blazer Philo Mbong (2003-06) echoed Burton's sentiments.
"College can be a crazy place for many students, but factor in the athlete portion and it becomes an overflowing cup," Mbong said. "Coach was the one person during college that would not allow us to settle in with the normal of just getting by. He cared just as much about what we were doing on the field as what we were doing in the classroom. He ensured that we devoted just as much time to doing soccer drills as we did on studying for our exams. Not a week went by that he did not comment on us going to study hall or making sure that we got a tutor that worked for us! He became the parent we all thought we did not need and so much more. Thanks to him, we all gained treasured memories and life long friends."
His parental guidance is perhaps one of the reasons the Blazers have had success on the field under Harbin's direction. The 2003 C-USA Coach of the Year has guided the team to a pair NCAA Tournament berths, two Conference USA Tournament titles and one C-USA regular season titles during his tenure. He has produced 59 all-conference selections, five All-Americans, 12 Academic All-Americans and two Rhodes Scholar nominees. That's quite a résumé for the native of Atlanta, Ga., who was hired in 1995 and charged with the task of beginning the women's program from scratch.
Former Blazer Jill Porto (2004-07) recognized how he was able to build such a successful program and how his legacy remains with each player who came through the program.
"Coach Harbin was one of the most influential people in my life," Porto said. "He built the UAB women's soccer program from scratch, and he did it one player at a time. He truly cares about each and every player - on and off the field. To me, it's baffling to think of UAB women's soccer without Coach Harbin's name alongside it. He will truly be missed."
And for as many people that thank Harbin for influencing their lives, he also is very thankful for those who gave him the opportunity to pursue his passion and make his vision a reality.
"I'd like to thank my parents, Cecil and and Helen, for teaching their children that it's our responsibility to make the world a better place, my wife Mo, for her love, patience and support, my children, Jessica, Anna, and Andrew for their unconditional love despite the outcome on the scoreboard, my original college mentor, Rich Metzger, for inspiring me to teach, Bill Bibb, Dana Robinson and Bobby Pope for giving me the opportunity to start my career in coaching, Mike Getman for allowing me to work with his men's team, Gene Bartow for being a genuinely good person, sharing sage advice, and giving me the opportunity to start the women's program here at UAB, Roz Ervin for being a caring mentor, all of the UAB Presidents, AD's, coaches and staff members I've worked with in between, the surrounding communities for their support, and most recently, Carol Garrison, Brian Mackin, and Derita Ratcliffe for guiding me, supporting my vision and for their desire to keep the program moving in the same positive direction. I've enjoyed the opportunity to do something close to my heart for so long, and that's special."
