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Former Crew Boss Tom Fitzgerald Dead At 52
December 4, 2004

COLUMBUS (MNN) - MatchNight News Network affiliate TopDrawerSoccer reported on Saturday that former Columbus Crew head coach Tom Fitzgerald has died at the age of 52, the victim of a motorcycle accident near Bradenton, Florida.

Fitzgerald succeeded Timo Leikoski as the Crew's head coach with ten games remaining in the 1996 season, guiding the team to an improbable nine wins to sneak into the first MLS Cup playoffs, where they lost to the now-defunct Tampa Bay Mutiny in the first round.

Over the next four-plus years, the man affectionately known as "Fitz" led a Crew team that flirted with reaching MLS Cup on three occasions, falling to DC United in the Eastern Conference finals in 1997, 1998, and 1999.

After Columbus missed the MLS Cup playoffs in 2000, Fitzgerald remained in charge of the team, but was fired on May 17th, 2001 after The Crew got off to a tough 1-3-2 start.

True to form, Fitzgerald landed on his feet soon thereafter. After returning to his native Florida and working in the real estate business, returned to coaching in 2002, he took over as the head coach of the men's soccer program at UCLA. In his first season there, he led the Bruins to an impressive 18-3-3 record and captured the College Cup, earning him NSCAA National Coach of the Year honors.

He left UCLA following the 2003 season to return to guide the University of Tampa, where he was the men's head soccer coach from 2003 until the time of his death.

Fitzgerald is survived by his wife Debi and sons Shane and Jessee.

Rest in Peace Coach, thanks for the memories.