TCU HORNED FROGS
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CHAMPIONSHIP DEVELOPMENT
2009 TCU COACHING STAFF
Mark Fifth Year | Associate Head Coach | Graduate of Kansas
Mark Plakorus enters his fifth season on staff with the women's soccer team. He served one season as the director of soccer operations before being promoted to assistant coach in February, 2005. On March 3, 2009, Plakorus was named associate head coach of the TCU Horned Frogs. He holds an 'A' Coaching License from the United States Soccer Federation and came to TCU from the University of Tulsa, where he spent a season as an assistant coach for the Golden Hurricane.
In 2008, TCU posted a program-best 14-4-2 record, including a 4-2-1 Mountain West Conference record. Plakorus helped TCU qualify for the semifinals of the Mountain West Conference Tournament. Under Plakorusʼ watch freshman Jordan Calhoun was named the Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year as well as being named a second-team All-American by Soccer Buzz Magazine. Last fall, Plakorus had two players named to the all-conference squad as Calhoun collected first-team honors and Lizzy Karoly earned second-team recognition for the second-consecutive season. Under Plakorus, TCU has rewrote nearly every offensive record, including most goals and points scored in a season. The 2007 season saw Plakorusʼ forwards once again shine as Jackie Torda led TCU in goals scored with nine on the year, while Lizzy Karoly was named a second-team all-conference selection. He also helped the Horned Frogs qualify for the Mountain West Conference Tournament. While at Tulsa, Plakorus was responsible for coaching the goalkeepers and defenders. He was also responsible for recruiting and program management, player evaluation and match preparation. In 2004, the Golden Hurricane were semifinalists in the Western Athletic Conference postseason tournament. Before Tulsa, he spent two seasons as an assistant at the University of Iowa, where he was involved with all aspects of the Hawkeye program. His responsibilities included being the team's recruiting coordinator, training of field players and goalkeepers, scouting and match preparations as well as overall program management.
Prior to coaching at Iowa, Plakorus served as an assistant coach at the United States Air Force Academy from 1999-2002. While at Air Force, he was responsible for designing and executing team training as well as midfield/defender play and training of goalkeepers. In addition, Plakorus was in charge of recruiting as well as opponent scouting and match preparations. The Falcons were three-time Mountain West Conference tournament semi-finalists.
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Women’s Soccer Media Guide
In addition to college soccer, Plakorus has been very involved in youth soccer, serving as Director of Coaching for two clubs as well as leading numerous teams to state cup championships and regional tournament appearances. He has also served on the Region II Olympic Development Program staff as well as coached ODP teams in four different states. Finally, Plakorus was the Director of Montana State ODP as well as the stateʼs licensing instructor. His high school team finished third in the state in only its second year of existence.
As a player, he spent four seasons at the University of Kansas graduating with a degree in computer science. After graduation, he was commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force, serving 11 years and reaching the rank of Major. While in the Air Force, he played for the All Air Force soccer team, a semi-professional indoor team and also was a player/coach for the Colorado Spring Ascent 14 of the United Soccer League (USL) for two years.