Coll continues mission for final four as coach on the sidelines

When Penn State defeated Wisconsin 1-0 to capture its first Big Ten championship in 1993, freshman Michael Coll thought it was just the beginning of a great run that would catapult the Nittany Lions to the final four before his playing career was finished.

Despite going to the NCAA tournament from 1993-95, the Lions found the final four elusive. The closest Coll and the Lions came was in 1993 and 1994, when they advanced to the second round.

But 1996 was supposed to be the year for Penn State. Before the season Coll, in his final campaign, said it would be a shock if the Lions didn't reach the final four. But for Coll, the team was derailed by injuries and his career ended, not in the final four, but in the Big Ten semifinals where the Lions were eliminated by Indiana.

Although his playing days are over for the Lions, Coll still has a chance to help lead the Lions back to Big Ten supremacy and to the final four. Only this time he will do it as an assistant coach for Penn State.

"I wanted to coach because I felt I left Penn State with a job half-done," Coll said. "My freshman year, we won the conference, but we haven't won it since. And the way last year ended was disappointing."

Coll has proven to be an asset. A two-time All-Big Ten and All Mid-Atlantic Region defender, Coll brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, and he shares it with the team.

"He's done a very good job," said Lion assistant coach Aidan Heaney. "A lot of players played with him and have a lot of respect for Michael and listen to what he has to say."

The rash of injuries that swept through Penn State gave Coll a chance to sharpen his coaching skills while still playing.

"When a lot of people went down last year he acted as a captain," said Lion forward Phil Karn. "He acted as a leader and told us what he expected of us in a constructive manner."

Coll thinks his role as a coach is not much different than the role he played as a defender for the Lions. The toughest transition, though, he said is not being able to factor into the outcome of the game.

"I gave a lot of advice when I was playing and that is basically what I am doing now," Coll said. "It's hard not being able to go out there and control what's going on on the field."

Coll has been a busy man this year. In addition to coaching, he concluded his rookie season with the Hershey Bears, who he helped lead to the playoffs.

Although he enjoys coaching, Coll is not ready to sacrifice his playing career in order to concentrate on coaching.

"If I stay in the U.S. I can do both because Hershey plays during the summer," he said. "I'd like to stay at Penn State for a few years, but no matter what, I'll still be playing for a while. I feel like I've got a good 10-12 years left in me."

Though not playing for Penn State anymore, Coll still has his eyes firmly set on a Big Ten championship and a final four appearance. He thinks the Lions have all the weapons they need to reach those goals.

"This team can definitely challenge for the conference and they can go as far as they want to," Coll said. "They have as much talent as anyone out there. They are capable of doing whatever they want to do."