After spending the past two years on the West Coast as the Associate Head Coach at Cal Berkley, Patrick Baker is back in Florida.
Late last month he was named the head women’s soccer coach at Florida Atlantic University.
Baker is a familiar figure in collegiate soccer in Florida, having served as head coach at Florida State for a half dozen seasons, and one at Rollins College after coaching the Georgia Bulldogs for five years.
“We are excited to welcome Patrick Baker and his family to Florida Atlantic University,” said Pat Chun, FAU director of athletics in announcing the hire. “Patrick has made an impact at every place he has coached.”
Baker began his Division I coaching career as the women’s head coach at Penn in the Ivy League. His first collegiate coaching job was at N.C. Wesleyan, a Division III program.
Five of Baker’s six seasons at Florida State resulted in trips to the NCAA tournament. His Georgia teams advanced to the NCAA tournament three straight years with his 2007 team going 18-4-2, a school record and 8-1-2 in SEC play.
“After speaking with Pat during the interview process, I share his vision for the future of our athletic department and what our women’s soccer program can become,” said Baker.
“We have a great opportunity to build a nationally recognized team on and off the field. My family and I know the area well and look forward to being back in Florida.”
Baker says that he feels there is great potential to turn around the FAU program.
“We have been fortunate to turn around programs at several colleges,” he said. “The process is never easy and requires hard work by the staff and the players”.
“The blueprint for success will allow our players to excel in the classroom, on the playing field and within the community. Player development and recruiting will be our two top priorities.”
Baker has spent the past two years at California-Berkeley, helping the Bears advance to the second round of the NCAA tournament in both seasons. “Florida has a number of very talented collegiate women’s soccer programs, and we feel Florida Atlantic University can become one of those programs with a presence nationally.”