University of North Carolina Athletics
Weiss Named Head Men's Soccer Coach at Virginia Tech
January 11, 2002 | Men's Soccer
Jan. 11, 2002
LACKSBURG, Va. - The Virginia Tech Athletic Department announced Thursday that Oliver Weiss will be the new head coach of its men's soccer team. Weiss, most recently the assistant coach at North Carolina, will begin his duties February 1, 2002.
"In a very talented pool of applicants, Oliver Weiss rose to the head of the class," said Jim Weaver, director of athletics. "His experience and Virginia ties are a great fit for Virginia Tech as we continue to build our soccer program."
Weiss brings a winning tradition to Tech. As an assistant coach, Weiss helped the Tar Heels to an impressive 54-14-1 record in his three years as an assistant to head coach Elmar Bolowich. In 2000, the Tar Heels posted the most wins in the program's 55-year history with a 21-3 record, an Atlantic Coast Conference championship and an Elite Eight appearance in the NCAA tournament. In 2001, UNC matched its 2000 output of 21 wins and went on to win the National Championship. The Tar Heels earned NCAA tournament bids each year Weiss coached at UNC.
"I am looking forward to the challenge that the Virginia Tech soccer program and the BIG EAST Conference present," Weiss said. "I am anxious to get started."
Said Bolowich: "Oliver did a great job here in Chapel Hill and we're sorry to see him go. But we certainly wish him all the best at Virginia Tech."
Weiss is no stranger to soccer in the state of Virginia. Prior to his work at UNC, he served as an assistant to Al Albert at William & Mary. In his three years there, Weiss helped produce a 49-17-5 record, a Colonial Athletic Association title and three NCAA tournament bids. These feats were accomplished with predominantly Virginia student-athletes that Weiss helped recruit.
Weiss has also experienced success at the club level as a head coach in Virginia. From 1988-1995, he coached Richmond club teams to eight consecutive Virginia State Cup Championships with a record of 42-0. He was named Region I Coach of the Year (1995), NSCAA East Region Coach of the Year (1995) and the Virginia Youth Soccer Association Coach of the Year (1990, 1995).
As a player, Weiss was a standout for the University of Richmond soccer team from 1984-87. He was voted the team's captain in 1985-87, earned regional All-America honors in 1985 and was voted to the All-Colonial team twice. Weiss holds a bachelor's degree in history.
Weiss inherits a soccer team that was impressive in its 2001 BIG EAST debut. Tech earned a conference tournament bid in the soccer-rich BIG EAST and finished the season with an 11-6-2 record.
