Turning a young 68 in two weeks, Wolfgang Weber has literally spent half his life coaching soccer at Tucson Salpointe. 34 years is a rarity if you are coaching and working with teenagers but Weber is more than a coach. Much more.

Generally considered to be the "Godfather of Soccer" in Southern Arizona, Weber has been able to relate to teenage boys through four different decades. When some parents and teachers have difficulty relating to kids on a yearly basis, Weber just moves forward.

"I would say the only difference in coach since I played for him would be that he doesn't yell as much or get as excited on the bench," explained Vincent Bianchi. "But the fact that he can still relate to boys after all these years and have their respect says a lot about him."

Bianchi played for Weber from 1983-87 and was the major scoring force behind Salpointe's first state championships in 1985 and 1986. Now, some 25 years later or so, he put his trust in Weber to coach his own boys, Vincent and Andrew.

Bianchi's sons have also won two state titles under Weber (2012 & 2013) and it was Andrew who had a huge part in Weber's 600th victory on Wednesday night against Douglas at home.

Having dominated Douglas for most of the match, Andrew scored the winning goal in the 47th minute on a penalty kick and the Lancers held on for the win.

"Obviously, my family is very close to Weber," said Andrew. "He wouldn't talk to us before the game about tonight but we all knew. We dedicated this game to him before we came out and it means so much. I don't think anyone else in Arizona has won 600 games and to be the one to help him win this is exciting. We are all happy for him. He deserves it."

The Bianchi family is one of three sets of second-generation players Weber has coached at Salpointe. Reed Foster is a sophomore and Weber coached his father Greg and he coached freshman Alec Nguyen's father Dai.

Dai Nguyen was the Arizona State Player of the Year in 1989 and Foster was instrumental in starting soccer at Salpointe and is now a managing partner of FC Tucson.

"It comes down to the school and to the coach," explained Bianchi on why former players trust Weber with their own sons. "After college I came back and helped him coach for 16 years and I also help him with the Tucson Soccer Academy. There is no better feeling as a father or mother than to see your children succeed and Weber has done that for us."

Some might say longevity has a major part in attaining 600 wins. While that may be true, it doesn't explain the six state championships and only 93 losses. For that you need to be a good coach. Weber is a great coach.

"If someone would have told me back in 1982 that I would still be here I would have told them they were foolish," said Weber. "I've been blessed to be at Salpointe with all those coaches helping me and the great players I have had over the years."

Always a humble gentleman, Weber doesn't believe he has enough time to hang around for a third generation of players to come through his program but he also doesn't feel the need to hang around and enjoy his 600th victory more than any of the others.

"We have a game on Friday at Buena and we need to prepare for that. This game was just part of the process to get back to where we need to be," he added.

Weber gathered his group of young men after the win and put everything in perspective. He reminded his 34th group of teenage boys of what the win truly meant with Sierra Vista Buena waiting for them on Friday.

"Remember, after the game is before the game."

 

Wolfgang Weber File

1982- present (600-93-17)

2014-15 (11-3-1)

State Championships

1985: 5A

1986: 5A

1996: 5A

2004: 5A

2012: D-II

2013: D-II