At the start of this academic year, other than women's basketball coach Cindy Russo, no person at FIU could stand as the embodiment of an athletic program's history as Munga Eketebi could for FIU men's soccer. The former FIU player and assistant coach has been relieved of the head coaching duties he held for five seasons, most of them working under the yoke of NCAA sanctions earned before he was head coach but while he was an assistant.
Eketebi's last team at FIU finished 5-8-2, the first decrease in wins after three consecutive seasons of increases. His final record is 27-51-9.
The men's soccer program made national noise perhaps before any other program at FIU, winning the 1984 NCAA Division II national title and being runnerup in 1985. Eketebi starred on those teams, a three-time All-America. Former Herald writer Mike Phillips, who covered FIU in those days, described Eketebi as a combination of deft feet and enormous, powerful upper body that made him a juggernaut from the top of the area to the goal line.
After his playing days, Eketebi became Karl Kremser's assistant at FIU for all but the one season he left FIU to coach Nova Southeastern. Not only did he become a fixture in the South Florida soccer community, you'll meet few people who were as widely liked by everyone from youth club players to adult fans.
I remember my first year at FIU watching that guy that looked like a man among boys...running and scoring goals for FIU back then.
Too bad it had to come to his firing, since, as you explained, he embodies the history of FIU soccer. However, his coaching record was definitely not good.
Posted by: FIU Fanatic | January 11, 2012 at 09:38 PM
Maybe replace him with Butch Davis?
DJ Neal - piece of advice for you, if you're going to update on obscure non-football sports like basketball and baseball then you should always include an action shot of women's sand volleyball.
Any idea what Cristobal's looking for in terms of 'program upgrades' to sign the new contract? The salary should be figured out by now, no? What's the holdup?
Posted by: Buc Nasty | January 11, 2012 at 11:11 PM
dJN you forgot:
BY WALTER VILLA
MIAMI HERALD WRITER
It has been years since the FIU men’s soccer program has had an afternoon as good as the one it enjoyed last Sunday.
First, FIU honored its 1996 team, which fell just one win short of the Division I national championship. FIU beat three-time champ Indiana 1-0 in the semifinals that year and then lost 4-1 to St. John’s in the final.
Posted by: chiaPanther | January 12, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Hope, the next coach will be better than Munga Eketebi
Posted by: Philadelphia House | January 12, 2012 at 08:49 AM
We should all be thankful to Coach Eketebi, he was part of a lot of successful teams here. I wish him well. He was not getting the wins as coach and it was time for a new direction. Its our one sport thats already in Conf USA (hmmm any strategic moves there by Pete Garcia?) it should be a prime focus.
I hope we look at one of the dozens of MLS players we have produced like Steve Ralston for coach!!!
DJN- I've also been super curious about that 'program upgrades' to sign the new contract with Mario. New conf? More $$ to other budget areas? WHats up with that?
Posted by: OC FIU PANTHER | January 12, 2012 at 10:19 AM
Munga really didn't do enough with players the last 4 years. We lost Steven Cabas, a really good player, we lot another midfielder to teams that are pro, but are really bad.
He held us back. I don't believe that a manager needs to have played to win, we need a manager that can recruit and that understands tactics.
Posted by: MRA | January 14, 2012 at 01:39 PM
I am just wondering that, what all would be happening when Munga Eketebi will be acting as a real coach..!
Posted by: soccer coaching | February 08, 2012 at 05:48 AM
Hate to see Mungs go. He is a class person, ex-athlete and coach. Collegiate athletics can be cruel to good people. Will Arena do much better, and if so, for how long?
Posted by: College Sports Fan | March 23, 2012 at 05:06 PM