Baker resigns as coach

Patrick Baker's son takes the field for his first game of the soccer season this week and Baker isn't going to let a job that hogs nearly all his time stand in the way of watching him play.

Baker resigned as Georgia's soccer coach on Thursday to rearrange his priorities with his family.

He has been at Georgia since 2005 and holds the school record for most career wins for the program that started NCAA play in 1995.

"I've been chasing a championship for 21 straight years as a coach, regardless of whether it's Ivy League, ACC or SEC," Baker said. "I've never known anything but coaching. It takes its toll on you and it takes its toll on your family.

"A lot of people talk about putting your family first, and I got to a point where, I thought it was best for myself and best for my family and the program that I step down and concentrate on that and allow them to move on as well."

Baker made the announcement at a team meeting on Thursday afternoon at the soccer complex. His resignation takes effect on April 1. Assistant coach Robin Confer will take over as interim coach as the team finishes spring practice.

"We were shocked," Georgia incoming senior captain Kelli Corless said. "He's just been a rock for this program and this team. There's no hard feelings for him. We know where he's coming from. We felt really bad for him because he's loved working with our team. He's put so much into it. To have to say goodbye to it, I just can't imagine how hard it was for him."

Baker is unsure of his future plans. He does not expect to return as a head coach, but he didn't rule out assistant coaching.

"Two of my dearest friends are assistant coaches at other programs," Baker said. "Even though that's not the head coaching position, the freedoms that they have away from coaching responsibilities and pressures, they seem to be very happy with wh

Comment on "Baker resigns as coach"