By NICK STOICO, Executive Editor
Editor’s note: This story was originally reported and published on Jan. 29, 2015, at 7:38 p.m. It was updated on Jan. 30 at 3:50 p.m. with the university’s confirmation that Rob Thompson is no longer coaching the team.
After 21 seasons as the head coach of the University of New Hampshire men’s soccer team, Rob Thompson has been “let go” according to multiple sources involved with the team.
Players were notified that Thompson would no longer be their head coach in a team meeting Wednesday night with Director of Athletics Marty Scarano. Deputy Athletic Director Steve Metcalf was also present.
Assistant coaches Logan Hoffman and Rich Weinrebe remain with the team. None of the sources that spoke with The New Hampshire could confirm that any plans were in place to fill the head coaching vacancy.
Thompson helped coach the Wildcats to a 6-10-1 overall record in 2014, but missed several weeks of the season after taking a personal leave of absence late in September. He was reinstated in early December, a full month after the season had ended.
Thompson could not be reached by phone for comment Thursday night. Hoffman was reached, but deferred comment to the University Athletic Communications office.
Despite the reports from players on the team, UNH Athletic Communications neither confirmed nor commented on Thompson’s dismissal Thursday night. UNH released a one-sentence statement Friday morning confirming that Thompson is “no longer the head men’s soccer coach.”
Heading into the 2014 season, Thompson was the program’s all-time winningest coach with 150 wins. The Wildcats have reached the America East postseason nine out of the last 11 years under Thompson.
Sports Editor Josh Sullivan and Staff Writer Greg Laudani contributed to this report.