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Lady Panthers hire for Tar Heel as new soccer coach
By Cory J. Mageors, Staff Writer
Plano East has another new addition to their coaching staff, this time on the Lady Panthers side.
Dawn Crow, who currently is the head coach at West Mesquite, will be the take the reigns of the Lady Panthers soccer team heading into next season.
Crow has experience on the collegiate level with programs such as Fairfield University, the University of Alabama, Mississippi State, UNC-Wilmington, and Virginia Commonwealth. As a graduate from the University of South Carolina, she helped lead the Lady Tar Heels to Four National Titles and a 97-1-1 record overall.
She also played under Plano head coach Diane Davey from 1988-1991 as a Lady Wildcat.
After a 1-18-1 record at West Mesquite, Crow looks forward to making the best out of an already successful East soccer program.
“All I can say is that you can’t choose who plays in your conference,” Crow said. “You can’t choose who plays on your team in high school either. But the first time we played McKinney North we lost 9-0. When we played them at the end of the year they only won by one goal. So I can make the best out of the team I have and I look forward to working in a program that has already been successful under Coach Peel.”
Susan Peel has taken a step down as the Lady Panthers head coach, to take a position as a full0-time elementary school physical education teacher. After a third place finish in District 9-5A, and a record of 16-6 overall, Peel leaves a team still full of youth and potential.
“Sometimes the life of a coach and the rigors that go along with it are very trying,” said Johnny Ringo, Plano East Athletic Coordinator. “Coach Peel built a very successful program, and there is still a large group of young athletes who look forward to playing next year.”
Peel suggested Crow to Ringo as her successor, and Ringo was happy to have Peel as part of the selection process as well.
With the extensive resume that Crow had, and the fact that she has strong roots already established in Plano, made her an exceptional option for the coaching position.
But with her experience under such a variety of systems, she doesn’t want her team to be intimidated.
“I think playing at UNC helps,” Crow said. “But I want my girls to know I am not trying to compare them to anybody I have played with before. And I am not trying to force them to play a system. What is most important is to put the players in a situation where they can advance not only as players, but also as people as well.”
And after coaching across the nation, and experiencing the pinnacle of soccer championships, Crow felt a strong urge to be back home and become part of Plano community that is well known for its unity.
“You know they say that a Texan is always going to come back home,” Crow said. “There is a sense of pride that I think only Texans can relate to. Plano has that kind of draw.”
Crow will meet with the Lady Wolves today for the first time.
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
John wrote on May 10, 2007 9:36 AM:
" This seems like a good hire "
Shari wrote on May 11, 2007 1:18 PM:
" Lady Wolves? You meant to say Lady Panthers.
At Plano East, we are very proud of our women's soccer team. Please proof read your articles to ensure that you have the correct team with the correct school! "
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