University of Akron men’s soccer coach Caleb Porter leaving after 2012 season to coach pros

AKRON, Ohio - The University of Akron men’s head soccer coach announced Wednesday that he will leave at the end of the 2012 season to coach the pros.

Caleb Porter will leave the Zips in December to become the head coach of the Portland Timbers, a Major League Soccer team.

"I always believed that it would take a truly special situation for me to leave Akron, and the Portland Timbers position is that type of opportunity," said Porter in a news release. "Given how invested I have been in the Akron program and community for the past seven years, this has been an extremely difficult decision. However, after many conversations with my family and close advisors and, given my long-term aspirations, I feel this is the right time and place for me to take the next step in my coaching career."

Since becoming the sixth head coach in Akron history in 2006, Porter, who owns the highest career win percentage (.825, 106-17-14) among all active Division I coaches, built the Zips' program into a perennial national championship contender while developing a style of play that is attractive and attack-oriented, yet effective on both sides of the ball.

In 2010, Porter, the 2009 NSCAA National Coach of the Year, led Akron to the school's first team national championship in any sport with a 1-0 victory over Louisville in the NCAA final.

"Coach Porter is admired as a leader, a motivator, and a champion on our campus and around the nation," said UA President Dr. Luis Proenza. "He sets an example for all of us - to pursue our objectives with passion and pride, and to live like champions."

“We didn’t want him to leave," said Tom Wistrcill, Director of Athletics. "Obviously, we wanted him to stay here and be our coach, but that was his dream and his goal and he is able to do that.

Wistrcill added Akron soccer has a proud tradition and he expects to remain near the top of the rankings every year, competing for a national title regardless of who the coach is. 

“He loves the team he has here. He loves this university and he is so focused on trying to win a national championship this year that I give a lot of credit to him. He could have left right away, he chose not to. He chose to stay through the end of the year," said Wistrcill.