Rochester Rhinos News Release - www.rhinossoccer.com

 

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

 

ROCHESTER, NY -- The Rochester Raging Rhinos announced today that the team has agreed to a new three-year deal with Head Coach Laurie Calloway, tying him to the club through the 2009 season. In his two seasons behind the Rhinos' bench, Calloway has compiled a 28-11-17 record and has led the club to two trips to the USL First Division Playoffs.

"I'm delighted and extremely excited to commit my future to the Rhinos organization and look forward to bringing further success to the club in the coming years," said Calloway. "The stability of a long term contract gives me the opportunity to take this club and these players forward and hopefully bring championships back to Rochester."

Last season, he was one of three finalists for the USL First Division Coach of the Year as he guided the Rhinos to the USL First Division Championship game. During the regular season, Rochester earned a 13-4-11 mark and secured the second seed in the playoffs. The Rhinos advanced to the final by defeating Charleston in the Semifinals. The trip to the final was Calloway's first appearance in a title match since 1991.

Calloway was named the second head coach in Rhino's team history on December 16, 2004. In his two-year tenure in Rochester, he has continued the winning tradition of the franchise by extending its consecutive playoff streak to 11 seasons. In the team's storied history, the Rhinos have won three USL First Division titles (1998, 2000, 2001) and one U.S. Open Cup (1999).

Prior to arriving in Rochester, the native of Birmingham, England, spent two seasons with the Syracuse Salty Dogs (USL-1), where he accumulated a record of 26-20-10. In 2004, the Salty Dogs put together an impressive 10-0-2 streak to finish in third place, one spot ahead of the Rhinos. The streak helped propel the team to the USL First Division Eastern Conference Final.

"We're thrilled to have Laurie on board for three more years. He's committed to the high expectations we have here and he's as motivated as anyone to bring success to this club," said Matthew Ford, Executive Vice President for the Rhinos.

Calloway also spent time in Major League Soccer, when he was named the head coach for the San Jose Clash. He coached that team for two seasons, compiling a 20-27-0 record.

In 2001-02, Calloway returned to the professional ranks with the Des Moines Menace, a fourth-division team in the USL's Premier Development League. In his first season, he led the team to a 15-0-3 mark, only the third undefeated season in USL amateur history. During the 2002 season, the Menace nearly knocked Rochester out of the U.S. Open Cup. The Rhinos narrowly escaped with a 3-2 overtime win at Frontier Field. The Menace won the Heartland Division during the 2002 PDL season. Calloway also coached the California Surf (1981) and Seattle Sounders (1983) in the NASL. In 1985, he won his first championship as a coach, leading the San Jose Earthquakes to the Western Soccer Alliance Challenge Cup in the formative years of the USL First Division.

He is also no stranger to the pitch as a player, having appeared in over 500 league and cup matches in England and the United States. He spent the early part of his playing career in England with clubs including, Wolverhampton Wanderers (1960-63), Rochdale (1964-68), Blackburn Rovers (1968-70), Southport (1970-71) and York City (1971-73). After a solid career as a defender in England, Calloway tested the waters of North American and came over to play with the San Jose Earthquakes of the NASL (1974-1979). He was a two-time NASL All-Star. In 1975, he was the Team MVP and a First Team All-Star.