Jill Ellis will be pacing the UCLA sidelines like always when
the Bruins travel to Stanford Friday night.
And that’s just the way she wants it.
Ellis, who met with Stanford Athletic Director Ted Leland about
the school’s coaching position last winter, ultimately took
her name out of the running, instead choosing to remain with the
Bruins.
“In life you always have to explore opportunities,”
the fifth-year women’s soccer coach said. “At the end
of the day I’ve got a better situation here. I’ve got
the best job in the country.”
Stanford first contacted UCLA about interviewing Ellis in
February, and Associate Athletic Director Betsy Stephenson granted
them permission. But Stephenson made it very clear that UCLA had
every intention of doing whatever it took to keep Ellis in the
fold.
“Our goal was to keep her,” Stephenson said.
“Stanford’s interest in her was not surprising, but we
are certainly thrilled she decided to remain a Bruin.”
Stephenson met with Ellis when the coach returned from the Bay
Area and told her that she would be offered a three-year contract
extension once the fiscal period ended in late June. That added
stability coupled with Ellis’ commitment to her players, was
more than enough to convince her to stay in Westwood.
“The personnel I have here was one of the deciding
factors,” Ellis said. “I’ve made a commitment to
the players I’d recruited. I think we can do great things
here.”
Ellis held a team meeting last winter to notify her players that
she was interviewing with Stanford, and kept them informed
throughout the process. Although she says she was never close to
taking the job, Stephenson admits there were a few nervous moments
in the Morgan Center.
“Any coach who interviews would have to be seriously
looking into the opportunity,” Stephenson said. “But we
were confident in what we could offer, and hopeful that she would
stay.”
Ellis ultimately did turn down the opportunity, and Stanford
hired a former Bruin coach ““ Paul Ratcliffe ““ on Feb.
10. Ellis won her 100th game Saturday against Washington, and has
amassed a 9-1-2 record this season with the Bruins.
Although there is the potential for distraction leading up to
Friday’s game, the UCLA players seem to be focused purely on
the game itself.
“That’s not really on our minds right now,”
All-American senior defender Nandi Pryce said. “Stanford
knows how amazing she is, and we know we’re lucky to have
her.”
Ellis also hasn’t spent much time second-guessing her
decision. She’s happy in Westwood coaching a Bruin squad that
should be in the running for the national title next month.
“At the end of the day I’ve got a better situation
here,” Ellis said.
On Friday they will see who has the better team.