Sockers Ask Newman to Keep Things Going : He Signs a Contract for Two More Years

The Sockers will keep the keeper of their mystique awhile longer.

Ron Newman, who has an indoor record of 302-156 and has won seven titles, signed a two-year contract Thursday at the San Diego Sports Arena. Newman, the only coach the Sockers have had in their 10-year history, will earn the same salary as last season.

Minutes after the official business was taken care of, there was time for some good cheer. So out came a small, white vase. Newman placed it atop the desk of Socker President Ron Cady.

In it, Newman said, was the Sockers’ mystique and Newman said orders are flooding in for the stuff. Baltimore Blast Coach Kenny Cooper, whose team lost to the Sockers in the Major Indoor Soccer League championship series, was said to have requested three cases.

“I’m only giving them two,” Newman said, smiling.

There is something a bit mystical about Newman’s accomplishments during his tenure with the Sockers. Each year, doubters say there’s no way he can win another championship. A few key players leave. Then he wins--again and again.

Surprisingly, negotiations for his contract renewal were painfully slow. Newman said he would have liked to have signed before the team got caught up in the bustle of postseason play.

“I should have probably pushed harder before the playoffs,” Newman said.

The new contract contains a clause specifying when the Sockers will negotiate with Newman for his next contract.

Despite the long wait, Cady said it has always been the Sockers’ intention to re-sign Newman.

“We never talked with another coach,” Cady said. “The contract is reflective of his accomplishments. We’re quite excited. We now have him as the foundation to build from.”

Newman, 55, had the option of a three-year contract and said he didn’t make his final decision until early Thursday. Newman said he opted for two years because he thinks the league is headed in the right direction, and this would allow him to renegotiate for a higher salary following the 1991 season.

“Even two might have been making a mistake when you think about it,” he said.

Given the shaky history of the MISL, it probably wasn’t. The league barely survived last season, with the Dallas Sidekicks filing for Chapter 11 protection under federal bankruptcy law before the playoffs. Recall that the Sockers did the same thing before the start of the season.

The MISL will be around next year, thanks to two expansion franchises, St. Louis and Cleveland. Both cities have had indoor soccer teams in the past that folded.

Newman perhaps best describes what it’s like to be a coach in the ever-unpredictable league. “I’ve always said you’ve got one foot on a banana peel and another on a bar of soap. I’m sort of proud of myself that I’ve managed to stay here this long.”

Cady and Newman wouldn’t discuss salary figures. Newman did say he’s making more money than a truck driver.

Then again, he isn’t going to be rich.

“Somebody who’s won seven championships in eight years in basketball, football or hockey would be living high on the hog right now, wouldn’t they?” he said.

With his own contract behind, Newman said his next order of business will be to assist Cady and owner Ron Fowler in negotiating player contracts. After that, Newman will join his wife in England for a vacation.