The Fort Lewis College women’s soccer program will be under new direction in 2018 following the resignation of head coach Jimmy Hall, which was made official Wednesday night.
“Honestly, on a personal level I think it was a good move,” Hall said. “I’m gonna get a chance to spend some time with my family, and that’s the career I’m looking to move on to next.”
Hall and his wife, Samantha, have two young children, a boy and a girl, who Hall will devote his time and energy to.
Hall’s resignation had been rumored for about a month after the program canceled its Soccer ID camp, which was originally scheduled for Jan. 13.
Hall is a 2004 graduate of FLC and he played on the men’s team from 2000-03. He took over the women’s program at the start of the 2014 season after the sudden departure of Damian Clarke. Hall’s teams were a combined 28-33-12 overall and 22-21-6 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference and reached the RMAC tournament each year of Hall’s tenure.
Hall was named the RMAC women’s soccer coach of the year for the 2015 season, in which the Skyhawks went 12-5-4 overall and 8-2-1 in RMAC play en route to the NCAA South Central Regional Tournament.
“It was a great experience, and I love the college,” Hall said of coaching at his alma mater. “I hope nothing but the best for them. They’ve always been able to do well, and I expect that the success will continue. It’s been a pleasure to be a part of that program.”
The Skyhawks went 4-11-1 overall and 4-8-0 in the RMAC in 2017.
Along with being the head coach of the women’s program, Hall served as an assistant on the women’s coaching staff from 2011-13. He was a volunteer assistant coach for the men’s team from 2004-06 when the Skyhawks won the NCAA Division II national title in 2005 and were national runners-up in 2006.
In 2016, Hall was inducted into the Skyhawks Hall of Fame as part of the 2005 men’s national title team.
“His long-term commitment to Fort Lewis College as a student-athlete, assistant women’s soccer coach and as the head women’s soccer coach have been tremendous,” FLC’s first-year athletic director Barney Hinkle said of Hall in a news release. “We wish Jimmy and his family much happiness and success in their future endeavors.”
As head coach, Hall directed 22 All-RMAC players, seven all-region players and scores of players who left their mark on the program, the college and Hall.
“There’s always been a kid here or there who comes up after they graduate or after the season’s done and will tell you about something that you maybe didn’t give much thought to, but it had a big impact on them either on the field or off the field or in the classroom and how they focus,” Hall said. “Those are the memories I’m going to take away and remember and cherish forever.”
kschneider@durangoherald.com
