Texas Border Business
RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Department of Intercollegiate announced on Wednesday that women’s soccer head coach Glad Bugariu is resigning to become the director of soccer and head coach of a new USL W league franchise.
The USL W League, which kicks off its inaugural season in May, will serve as the nation’s premier pre-professional league developing the next generation of women’s talent both on and off the field, enhancing the women’s pipeline between college and professional soccer.
“It’s been a wonderful ride,” UTRGV head coach Glad Bugariu said. “I want to thank our former Athletic Director Chris King for hiring me and believing in me to start the program from scratch. I want to thank Chasse Conque and Molly Castner for their support over the time we have worked together. I want to wish them all the best. Most of all, I want to thank my players for all the memories and everything they have done for me, both personally and professionally. I wouldn’t be here today without them.”
Bugariu has been the only head coach in program history after being hired on April 26, 2013. Bugariu got the program headed in the right direction in his first season as he guided the team to eight victories, marking the ninth most wins by a first year NCAA Division I program in the state of Texas.
Bugariu led the program to its first winning season in 2016 as the Vaqueros went 10-8-1. That started a stretch of five-straight winning seasons, including a program record 12-win season in 2018.
During that 2018 season, the Vaqueros recorded their most Western Athletic Conference wins (six) while finishing runner up during the regular season.
Bugariu also guided the program to seven WAC Tournament appearances, advancing to the semifinals in 2018 and 2019.
“Glad has meant a lot to this program both on and off the field and we want to thank him for leading our women’s soccer team for nearly nine years,” UTRGV Vice President and Director of Athletics Chasse Conque said. “Glad’s impact can be seen in the young women coming through our program and the staff that he has mentored. We are grateful for his dedication to UTRGV and wish him and his family the best in their next venture.”
While the Vaqueros saw continued success on the pitch, Bugariu also emphasized success in the classroom as he saw the program earn a combined five NSCAA College Team Academic Awards (2014, 2016, 2017) and United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Awards (2018, 2019).
A national search for Bugariu’s replacement will begin immediately.
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