Tim Sahaydak was hired as UCF's associate head coach in 2013 after spending six seasons at VCU alongside his co-head coach, wife and current UCF head coach, Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak. In 2017, Sahaydak helped lead the Knights to 13 wins, the most victories since the 2014 campaign, season-high ranking of No. 6 and a 16-match unbeaten streak - the longest since the 2013 campaign. The Knights captured the American Athletic Conference regular season championship and earned their 21st bid to the NCAA Tournament. Sahaydak helped coach five starters to the American Athletic Conference Player of the Year awards. Five Knights received All-Southeast Region recognition, and a total seven student athletes earned a spot on the All-American Athletic Conference Teams. In addition, junior goalkeeper Vera Varis was named to the United Soccer Coaches Association All-American Third Team. In 2016, Sahaydak saw four student-athletes named to the All-American Athletic Conference Teams. In addition, Saga Fredriksson was named to the All-Northeast Region Team and recognized as the American Athletic Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Year. Off the field, the Knights earned recognition for their academic success as they received the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Team Academic Award. In 2015, the Knights earned a berth to their ninth-straight NCAA Tournament (20th overall) and nabbed a hosting gig for the first round for the fifth straight season. In addition, Carol Rodrigues was named the American's Co-Offensive Player of the Year. In 2014, Sahaydak helped guide the Knights to their second NCAA Sweet 16 appearance in four years and the American regular season title. He witnessed three Knights earn conference Players of the Year honors: Tatiana Coleman (Co-Offensive); Carleigh Wiliams (Defensive); and Connie Organ (Goalkeeper). UCF posted its first undefeated home slate (11-0) since 1999, matched the school record for wins in a season (18) and was nationally ranked through much of the year. In his first season with the Knights, Sahaydak helped guide UCF to a school-record unbeaten streak (18 matches), an NSCAA national standing through much of the year and the program's first undefeated conference season since 1999. In addition, UCF made history as the first program to win an American Athletic Conference Championship. In his playing days, Sahaydak rose quickly through the national soccer community, earning spots on the U-18 and U-20 national teams and gaining a scholarship to the University of North Carolina for the 1995 season. In 1997, he was granted the opportunity to become, at the time, the youngest player ever to play on a Major League Soccer team when he suited up for the Columbus Crew. He spent two seasons with Columbus before joining the Miami Fusion for three seasons and also served on the reserve squads for FC Dallas and DC United. After his playing career came to a close, Sahaydak returned to Chapel Hill and completed his degree in communications/rhetorical studies. Sahaydak took over VCU's program with Tiffany in 2007 and led the Rams to three conference championship game appearances. He was voted as the 2011 Colonial Athletic Association Co-Head Coach of the Year, along with his wife. The duo mentored two CAA Defenders of the Year, one CAA Rookie of the Year and 20 all-conference players, including six first-team honorees. The Sahaydaks reside in Orlando with their two daughters, Layla and Evie. |
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