COLUMBUS, Ohio - Columbus Crew General Manager Mark McCullers announced today that the club has relieved Head Coach Greg Andrulis of his coaching duties effective immediately.
Crew Assistant Coach Robert Warzycha has been named interim head coach. The team will immediately begin a search for its fourth head coach since its inception in 1996.</p>
The Crew is 4-10-2 on the year and sits in last place in the six-team Eastern Conference with 14 points, 10 points out of the last playoff spot.</p>
Andrulis was 49-43-32 in his four-plus years with The Crew and 2-4-3 in the playoffs. Andrulis was named interim head coach on May 17, 2001, taking over from former Crew Coach, the late Tom Fitzgerald. He was named permanent head coach on October 25, 2001, after leading the team to a 12-4-4 record. Andrulis also guided The Crew to the U.S. Open Cup title in 2002 and the Supporters Shield in 2004. The team missed the playoffs in 2003.</p>
"On behalf of the Lamar Hunt Family and the entire Columbus Crew ownership group we would like to thank Greg Andrulis for his nine plus years of service to the Crew organization. He is a consummate professional, a gracious gentleman and has been a tremendous ambassador for the Crew," said McCullers, who is in his second season as Crew General Manager. "However, at this time, the best interests of the Crew organization are served by a change in coaching leadership. The organization plans to continue Soccer Aid for JDRF and The Tom Fitzgerald Memorial Soccer Festival, which will be lasting legacies and contributions of Greg. We wish all the best to Greg and his family."</p>
Warzycha is one of The Crew's all-time greats on the field and is in his third full season as an assistant coach. He retired on December 16, 2002 after a 16-year professional playing career. The Poland native joined Columbus in the inaugural 1996 season and ended his career as the club's all-time assist leader with 61. He appeared in 160 regular season games and 17 playoff matches, totaling 19 goals in the regular season and two goals and nine assists in the playoffs. </p>
