Tallmadgeexpress.com - Buehler to step down as girls soccer coach

by Frank Aceto

Associate Sports Editor

The program had its best season in history and might be just as strong next year.

And that's why it makes perfect sense for Tallmadge head girls soccer coach Larry Buehler to walk away from the game.

Buehler told Tallmadge Athletic Director Don Seeker he will step down as head coach of the varsity team. He also told the players during the team banquet Nov. 11.

Buehler, an assistant business manager for Electricians Local 306 in Akron, spent six years as the Lady Blue Devils' head coach. He guided Tallmadge to a 24-62-9 record during his tenure.

The Lady Blue Devils had their most successful season in 2008. The team finished 8-9 overall after losing a 5-1 decision to Stow-Munroe Falls in a Division I sectional contest.

Buehler's youngest daughter, Jamie, played her final game in a Tallmadge uniform.

His oldest daughter Sarah, a 2007 Tallmadge graduate, played as a freshman on the Mount Vernon Nazarene University women's soccer team.

"I am stepping down to hopefully spend more time watching my daughters at the college level," Buehler said.

Buehler also resigned as the president of the Tallmadge United Soccer Club, which he started several years ago.

"Larry came in and revived a program that had been struggling to have enough girls to field a JV [junior varsity] and varsity team," Seeker said. "He instituted an off-season conditioning program with the girls that seemed to pay dividends.

"His commitment to Tallmadge and the soccer community should not go unnoticed," he added.

The Lady Blue Devils made huge strides during the season. They rallied from a 3-0 deficit to beat Revere (4-3) and also rallied from a 2-0 deficit to beat Highland (3-2).

"It's bittersweet," Buehler said. "We might have our strongest team ever coming back. The program is definitely in good hands."

What made the coach's decision such a difficult one is his strong relationship with the players.

"I've been coaching some of these girls since they were 8 years old," Buehler said. "That's the tough part. These girls have been with me for a long time.

"I definitely plan on going to a few games next year," he added. "It will be a different story sitting in the stands."

Scott Williams has been Buehler's assistant coach for the last six years. He also is the vice president of the Tallmadge United Soccer Club.

"I had a conversation with Donnie and I highly recommended Scott to take my place," Buehler said. "The program wouldn't miss a beat with Scott. He was kind of the co-head coach from the beginning."

Buehler made soccer significant in Tallmadge, according to Seeker.

"Larry spends countless hours at the soccer complex on North Avenue and has been one of Tallmadge's biggest supporters of the youth soccer programs," he said.

Buehler won't rule out a return to the field.

"It's always a possibility," he said. "You don't coach for money. You coach because you love the game."

E-mail: faceto@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-686-3914