Laredo Heat News Release -- www.laredoheat.com
Monday, November 28, 2011
LAREDO, Texas -- The Laredo Heat Soccer Club, members of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League Mid-South Division have named Fernando Hernandez as the club’s new head coach for the 2012 season. Hernandez has been on the Heat sideline since 2007 as Israel Collazo’s assistant coach.
Though Collazo will no longer be at the helm of the PDL club, he will not be very far away in terms of being involved with the team.
“Israel (Collazo) will still be involved with our organization and he will be part of the contingent that will handle our continued youth development initiative,” said Heat Owner and President Shashi Vaswani. “Collazo is still considered a valuable asset for our future youth projects and I have asked him to continue, at an aggressive pace, to obtain the necessary coaching licenses which will help our overall program.
“We are not saying good-bye to Israel, we are just focusing more on the future development of our youth program and moving things around a bit in order to keep things fresh and innovative.”
“I want to thank Shashi (Vaswani) and the entire Heat organization for the opportunity afforded to me back in 2005," Collazo said. "I am happy for the success that we had as an organization and for having been part of the process and feel privileged to have coached so many great players, thanks to them for making me successful.
“I learned plenty over the past seven years, from all of our wins and losses and appearances in the PDL Finals. I wish all the best to Fernando and there is no doubt in my mind that the success will continue for the senior club.
“I will still be around and will be focused on the youth development side of things, something that I have done before and definitely something that I enjoy doing."
In addition to being Collazo’s assistant for the past five years with the Heat, Hernandez brings a wealth of coaching experience from his past in Mexico (Monterrey). Hernandez holds several coaching licenses from Mexico including the equivalent of a United States “A” License that allows him to be eligible to coach in Mexico’s First Division.
“I am looking forward to the challenge and I want to thank Shashi for the opportunity that he has trusted me with,” said Hernandez. “Being alongside Israel over the years has taught me a whole lot about coaching and the style of play here in the United States.
“I promise to all current and future Heat players that we will continue to bring the intensity that we are known for as a club and that we will continue to give top players the opportunity to continue their growth as soccer players and individuals. At this time, I also would like to thank Israel for the foundation that has been laid and I feel comfortable that we will continue being successful both on and off the field.”