On Friday, NIU Athletics Director Cary Groth told the men’s soccer team that its interim coach will be assistant strength and conditioning coach Ryan Zeman.

While Zeman will take on the physical portion of coaching, the team’s captains will coach the team in the technical aspects of the game. This setup is until a replacement is found for 16-year NIU coach Willy Roy, whose contract will not be renewed.

Groth said a new coach, who will be picked out of a national search, is expected sometime in March.

The temporary replacement happened just in time for the official NCAA start of spring practices on Friday. NIU, however, will begin today.

“Ryan already works with the soccer team on strength and conditioning, and the students know and respect him,” Groth said. “So we have asked him if he can watch over their spring practices. Between him and [assistant athletics director] Stacy Alley, they will supervise practices.”

The open practice time will run until finals week, and the team receives a maximum of 20 hours a week, junior middle Caleb Davis said.

Davis, while athletically classified as a junior, is in his fourth year at NIU. While he can graduate this year, he ideally would like to play out his final year of eligibility, but wants to make sure everyone on the team is on the same page.

“If the new coach and program looks like it will do well, I’ll be back,” Davis said. “My teammates will help me make that decision, as well.”

Davis is excited about the new beginning for the team and the existing possibilities, but has been battling with the decision to return or not.

“Everybody is excited,” Davis said. “Everyone has only the best of wishes to Willy and his family, but we see it as an opportunity. Maybe we were stuck in a rut before. Now it’s on us to pull ourselves out. There are no more excuses.”