Baker Steps Aside

Nov. 8, 2005

Carla Baker, head women’s soccer coach at the University of Iowa for the past four seasons, has resigned, UI Director of Athletics Bob Bowlsby announced today.

Iowa finished the 2004 season with a 3-12-4 overall record and a 1-7-2 record in Big Ten Conference play. The Hawkeyes won 21 matches under Baker’s direction, a mark that included four victories against league opponents.

Baker said her program simply had not achieved at a level that she found acceptable.

“I always have had high expectations for myself as a coach, and, while I feel very confident about how bright the future is for the soccer program, I am not personally satisfied with the on-the-field results of the last four years,” she said.

Baker said she is proud of the team’s academic successes. She also believes the next coach of the Hawkeyes will inherit a group of young, talented and committed student-athletes.

“Transition is always difficult, particularly when you lose someone who is extremely committed to their sport and to intercollegiate athletics. Carla has helped lay the foundation for what I am confident will be a vibrant, successful women’s soccer program in the near future,” said Bowlsby.

Baker came to the University of Iowa from Dallas where she was involved in coaching all levels of teams of the United States Soccer Federation. Her resume also included eight years of coaching experience at Notre Dame and Cornell. She was a member of the Fighting Irish staff that guided Notre Dame to four straight appearances in the national semifinals and the 1995 national championship.

Bowlsby said the UI’s search for Baker’s replacement will begin immediately.