More on Towson coach Tony Seaman
An article in Friday’s edition of The Sun noted the uncertain futures of Towson coach Tony Seaman and Maryland coach Dave Cottle – both of whom will meet at Byrd Stadium on Saturday at 11 a.m. when Seaman’s Tigers (0-2) attempt to upset Cottle’s No. 5 Terps (3-0).
Seaman’s status figures to be shaky as the team is still looking for its first win and is in the midst of a schedule that has been ranked as the toughest in Division I. Seaman, whose skills have been questioned recently, said he understands the scrutiny.
"I think that’s the way it is," he said. "When things go well, you get the compliments, and when things aren’t going your way, it turns the way. It’s still about the players who play the game. I think we do a great job of getting them ready to play the game. You can’t worry about that other stuff. That other stuff’s going to be there, good or bad."
Despite the team’s 0-2 start, Seaman pointed out that last year’s squad overcame a 1-4 start to advance to the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament championship final where Towson fell to Villanova by one goal.
"I think we’re going to do the same thing we did last year, which is we’re going to improve as the year goes on," he said. "We’ll see if that holds true or not."
ESPN analyst Mark Dixon, a former midfielder at Johns Hopkins, said the Tigers need to reach the NCAA Tournament – via either the CAA championship and the accompanying automatic qualifier or an at-large bid – to solidify Seaman’s future.
"I think Tony’s done what he’s had to do," Dixon said. "He’s gotten away from that fun-and-gun style, the high-risk/high-reward and gone to more of a defensive-oriented philosophy, and I think a lot of that has to do with Shawn Nadelen, the defensive coordinator, and it started with Stan Ross before Shawn. But I think also, he hasn’t had the horses offensively to push the pace. I don’t think Tony’s really had that great of a team over the last couple of years. I think he did a pretty good job last year, and that’s when he’s at his best. Tony is at his best in the underdog role, and they’re certainly underdogs this year."
While acknowledging that an appearance in the NCAA Tournament would be a positive for Seaman, Towson athletic director Mike Hermann said he is keeping an open mind.
"I don’t think you can ever judge a season by pre-set criteria," he said. "I think you have to sit down at the end of the year and analyze what happened and where you’ve been and where you’re going and then decide if you have the right coaching staff in place. That’s the process."
