Josh Gros's Transition Game
You may have noticed that Peter Nowak included a familiar name -- Josh Gros -- as an assistant coach for his U.S. under-23 national team's trip to France for the Toulon International Tournament, which begins next week.
"We didn't talk about it all. It was a complete surprise," Gros told the Insider before boarding the team's transatlantic flight last night in New York. "He just gave me a call a few weeks ago and asked if I would be interested. I was surprised and excited."
Gros, as you recall, stepped away from D.C. United and competitive soccer after four seasons at age 25 after suffering a series of concussions and head injuries. He has moved on with his life, joining an engineering firm in McLean, Va. His title is junior engineer and he has made site visits in D.C. and worked on projects in Maryland. His bosses gave him time off in order to join the U-23s, who will play Turkey, Ivory Coast and Italy in the group stage of this major tuneup for the Summer Olympics.
Though Gros initially said he was going to take a year off and re-evaluate his situation next winter, retirement seems certain.
"I haven't completely shot down the idea of returning, but based on what the doctors have told me, it's probably a bad idea to try and play again," he said. "So the answer is probably, 'No'."
Gros has been working in his free time with the DCU youth academy and will continue to pursue opportunities in coaching.
"I'm enjoying it and it keeps me involved," he said. "It's the next best thing to playing."
By Steve Goff |
May 15, 2008; 9:22 AM ET
D.C. United
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Posted by: DC United Fan | May 15, 2008 9:48 AM
Unbelievably good news for Josh.
Posted by: Mickey | May 15, 2008 9:57 AM
"His title is junior engineer and he has made site visits in D.C. and worked on projects in Maryland."
My guess is that he ran from the office to the sites and back. Maybe he can become DC's fitness coach and get those Brazilians in shape next off-season. Glad to know that things are going well for him.
Posted by: I-270, Exit 1 | May 15, 2008 10:06 AM
Correct me if wrong, but didn't Gros suffer most of his head ailments during or immediately after playing at high altitude... could'nt he just not play in Colorado and Mexico and be awesome for DCU at other times...
Posted by: Soy United! | May 15, 2008 10:12 AM
That's quality from Nowak. Really like that show of support.
Posted by: Kev | May 15, 2008 10:26 AM
Sounds like a great opportunity for Josh. Still think he would have a great future as a marathon runner though. :)
Posted by: CMJ | May 15, 2008 10:37 AM
Good day, just wanted to know where i can get some info about UNITED FANS and if there is a specific section @ HDC here in southern Cali, and if any attending the game this weekend?
Posted by: DCU FAN IN SOCAL | May 15, 2008 10:42 AM
Am so glad things are going well for Josh. And kudos to Peter Nowak, a class act all the way.
Posted by: Bart | May 15, 2008 10:56 AM
Good day, just wanted to know where i can get some info about UNITED FANS and if there is a specific section @ HDC here in southern Cali, and if any attending the game this weekend?
Posted by: DCU FAN IN SOCAL | May 15, 2008 10:42 AM
__________________________________________
I'll be there, go here to read up on info about DCU fans going to the game this weekend:
Posted by: Chief Clancy Wiggum | May 15, 2008 10:57 AM
United misses Josh Gros muy muy muy mucho!
Posted by: Harpo | May 15, 2008 11:03 AM
Great news and a really nice move by Nowak... class
Posted by: Longshoe | May 15, 2008 11:21 AM
Peter did a good thing. I agree that Josh should be fitness coach for DC. The guys would really benefit from it. He has super energy - all positive.
Posted by: bubbles | May 15, 2008 11:24 AM
without Josh or Benny there is a serious lack of grit on this team
Posted by: jgildea | May 15, 2008 11:27 AM
without Josh or Benny there is a serious lack of grit on this team
Posted by: jgildea | May 15, 2008 11:27 AM
Shhh, don't say that too loudly. You'll ruin the impression that the poor start is all the fault of Payne, Soehn, Gallardo and Emilio!
Posted by: Kev | May 15, 2008 11:31 AM
Class move from Nowak. Great news for and good luck to Gros.
Posted by: Kosh | May 15, 2008 11:32 AM
DCU FAN IN SOCAL;
I'll be there with my wife and maybe some friends. I hear Chivas has real attendance problems, so we're not bothering to order tix in advance. Consequently, don't know where I'll be sitting (or if, having found United fans, I could switch seats easily).
Posted by: viv | May 15, 2008 12:28 PM
Wha?
One cap and no coaching credentials and steps right into coaching a National/Olympic team?
Its a good opportunity for him, sure, but I find it somewhat annoying that one can walk right into such a position.
Moreover, he was known as a cardiovascular machine, not a field general or master tactician/technician.
Having the VO2 max of a gazelle should not entitle you to a Halliburton-esque nod for national team coaching staff.
Call me crazy (and I am sure many will)...
Posted by: El Cinico | May 15, 2008 12:30 PM
You so CRAZY!
Posted by: viv | May 15, 2008 12:32 PM
"One cap and no coaching credentials and steps right into coaching a National/Olympic team?"
He's assisting a massively qualified head coach, in a YOUTH tournament leading up to another YOUTH tournament.
Lighten up!
Posted by: Kev | May 15, 2008 12:47 PM
DCU FAN IN SOCAL;
I'll be there with my wife and maybe some friends. I hear Chivas has real attendance problems, so we're not bothering to order tix in advance. Consequently, don't know where I'll be sitting (or if, having found United fans, I could switch seats easily).
Posted by: viv | May 15, 2008 12:28 PM
*****************************************
I would also advise you to check out this thread if your interested in hanging with other DCU fans at the game:
Posted by: Chief Clancy Wiggum | May 15, 2008 12:51 PM
Chief:
I just don't know if my nerves can handle a return to BigSoccer.
Posted by: viv | May 15, 2008 1:09 PM
Kev said:
He's assisting a massively qualified head coach, in a YOUTH tournament leading up to another YOUTH tournament.
Lighten up!
-----------------------
You mention "youth" like we are dealing with a U8 rec team playing down behind the jungle gym. [Cue the orange slices...]
The U23s are the SECOND MOST IMPORTANT team in the UMSNT structure. We are dealing with players that are coming in from Europe, USA, etc. Mostly seasoned professionals who are coming from places with their Academy staff are typicaly UEFA 'A' licenses.
Hard to believe there was no one more qualified than a young guy who was surveying ditches last week.
Smacks of cronyism to me. Lets makes him head of FEMA...
Posted by: El Cinico | May 15, 2008 1:11 PM
No different from a 3rd or 4th assistant to Roy Williams at UNC, to use an example...
I suspect there are also more experienced assistants with the team-remember also that we all started somewhere...
Posted by: frank | May 15, 2008 1:23 PM
"Hard to believe there was no one more qualified than a young guy who was surveying ditches last week.
Smacks of cronyism to me. Lets makes him head of FEMA..."
There is always a place on a team for someone who had unbelievable work rate and heart and showed the dedication to his team that Josh did. The senior coaches can teach tactics.
I'm glad to see Nowak give Josh a shot as acknowledgement of his contributions in his playing days. If that's cronyism, so be it.
Posted by: Matt Mathai | May 15, 2008 1:25 PM
Chief:
I just don't know if my nerves can handle a return to BigSoccer.
Posted by: viv | May 15, 2008 1:09 PM
__________________________________________
It's just a good thread started by some Barra members dicussing meeting up/tailgaiting/seating section/etc for the DCU/Chivas game. It's got some good info if you're looking to hang with other DCU fans at the game.
Posted by: Chief Clancy Wiggum | May 15, 2008 1:26 PM
Good for Josh. United miss him more than ever right now.
Posted by: Jeff M | May 15, 2008 1:33 PM
Nowak calling Gros in as an assistant coach doesn't necessarily mean that Gros will be involved in the actual Olympics, or that Nowak doesn't already have other more qualified assistants also. I highly doubt that it will just be Nowak and Gros running the whole thing.
My guess is that the title could easily be read as "Assistant to the Head Coach," but has been shortened for space.
Posted by: elopingcamel | May 15, 2008 2:37 PM
Gros was always the perfect player for Nowak's system, running hard up and down the field in the 3-5-2. Hopefully, Gros will be as suited for Nowak's new system as an assistant as he was on the left flank.
Posted by: diego r. | May 15, 2008 3:20 PM
Chief:
Dig it. I was just (mostly) kidding.
Posted by: viv | May 15, 2008 11:41 PM
Good for him...Josh will make a positive influence however you look at.
Could Arena coach Dc again?
Man, do we miss Gomez...what happened with him being dumped so 'unceremoniously'. And Gallardo makes how much?
Posted by: dcFan | May 19, 2008 1:17 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
Good for Josh, maybe coaching is his calling. I wish him all the luck in the world. Maybe his tireless work ethic will rub off on the younger players on the U-23 team.