Nicol brings on new temporary assistant
Revolution head coach recruits former MLS player Watson to fill void
Related
Nicol could have handled the responsibilities for day-to-day training sessions without much of a hitch because goalkeeper coach Gwynne Williams keeps the shot-stoppers occupied and allows Nicol (and any assistant he might have at the time) to focus solely on the outfield players.
Instead of muddling through with only Williams to assist him, Nicol decided to acquire some temporary help to share the burden during the week and during Sunday's season-determining clash with Columbus.
"I certainly wanted someone sitting beside me on the bench," Nicol said.
In order to solve the problem, Nicol placed a phone call to Charleston Battery assistant coach Mark Watson to see if he'd be interested in spending an indeterminate slice of his offseason -- the Battery ended their USL-1 campaign with a first-round playoff loss to eventual champions Montreal on Sept. 27 -- filling the void left by Mariner's departure.
"Mark's someone I've known since I came (to the United States) 10 or 11 years ago," Nicol said. "He's been an assistant in Charleston for a number of years. He knows the role and knows the job. It's always good to have somebody to walk in and know exactly what's expected of them and what to do."
It didn't take long for Nicol to persuade Watson to link up with New England once the former Revolution (four games back in 1996), Crew and D.C. United defender obtained the requisite permission from the Battery.
"It took me about a quarter of a second to say yes," Watson said.
The former Canadian international defender joined Charleston as a player/assistant coach in 2006 and turned his full-time attentions to the coaching side after the 2007 season. Although he doesn't have any MLS coaching experience, Watson said he can count on his work with the Battery and the Canadian Olympic team as he grasps the opportunity to aid Nicol and the Revs.
"The game is very similar wherever you go," Watson said. "Working with Stevie, he's top class. He's played at the highest level. He's an excellent coach and his record proves that. It's a professional club and the way he runs things is fantastic. It's a pleasure to be a part of it."
Watson said understood the peculiar situation presented by Mariner's departure and noted that he planned to help out however he could during his short stint with the club.
"The main thing for me is that this team has been in place all year," Watson said. "There's one game left. They know what they've been doing. The training's been going on all season. I'm not here to change things. I'm trying to help out, fit in and do what I can."
Nicol said he wouldn't have to alter his contribution or his ways on the training field to accommodate for the assistant swap.
"He's been training players for five or six years," Nicol said. "He knows what he's doing. I'm more than happy to let him get on with it."
As for Mariner's permanent replacement, the Revs will undertake a full and exhaustive search after the season concludes. For now, Nicol, Watson and the Revs will spend their trying to make sure the campaign doesn't end at Crew Stadium on Sunday.
Kyle McCarthy is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
