Favero resigns, heads home to Argentina
GCSU head soccer coach Juan Pablo Favero came to the United States 19 years ago as a student-athlete looking to make his mark. Four coaching stops later, including two years at GCSU, Favero has resigned and is heading to his homeland of Argentina. His resignation this past Monday was the second head coach resignation for the athletic department in the span of a week.
“There’s definitely an element of sadness to it. I’m leaving behind some people I’m really close with,” Favero said. “But it was the right decision for my family. I’ve always wanted a chance to go back home and this is a great opportunity for me.”
Favero first came to the U.S. in 1991 as a player at Marist College in New York. He finished his collegiate playing career at Palm Beach Atlantic and then coached there for five seasons, two as head coach. Favero followed that with four seasons as the head coach of Missouri Baptist and five years at the helm of Newberry College. From there, he came to GCSU in 2008.
In two seasons under Favero, the Bobcats compiled a record of 23-9-9, good enough for the two best seasons in school history. The Bobcats earned their first ever appearance in the NCAA tournament in 2008 and climbed to the No. 19 ranking in the NSCAA Division II poll. Favero also coached 16 all-conference players and the first All-American in school history in 2009, goalkeeper Mary Rob Plunkett.
“Juan has done an outstanding job with this program, and he’s done it with extremely high character and fantastic people around him,” GCSU Athletic Director Wendell Staton said. “We’re obviously very appreciative of everything he’s done here and we wish him the best back in Argentina.”
Staton added that July 1 is the target date to have Favero’s replacement.
“We’ll do an internal assessment of the program and seek out someone who is going to continue to carry the program and help it sustain its current high level of play and success,” he said.
Favero said he will be returning to Argentina, seeking a chance to utilize his education and other experiences from the U.S.
“I want to make a positive impact over there. I’ll be doing a lot of counseling,” Favero said. “I’ll also be doing a lot of work with sports psychology, which is one of my biggest passions.”
And Favero recently learned that he’ll get an opportunity to coach some more, as he has accepted a position as a part-time assistant for a professional women’s team in Argentina.
“It was an unexpected blessing. They’re one of the top clubs over there,” Favero said. “It’s not a full-time thing, but it’s a great opportunity to coach at that level. Obviously coaching is something that’s still in my heart and always has been.”
Favero leaves the GCSU program in great shape and moving in the right direction.
“There were some unfulfilled goals for me while I was here, but I think this team is certainly capable of achieving them in the years to come,” he said. “I’ll be supporting them all the way.”
“I’m very thankful for the time I’ve spent (in the U.S.). It’s been half my life basically,” Favero added. “I’ve built relationships with coaches, administrators and most of all, the players. They’ve made a big impact on my life, and it’s sad to leave them behind. I wish them nothing but the best.”
Posted by Scotty Thompson
on Apr 23 2010. Filed under Sports.
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