The transition, now about to begin its second season, is complete. With no uncertainty, Brian Quinn is the University of San Diego's men's soccer coach. The Toreros were in Seamus McFadden's capable hands for 39 seasons. Quinn served as McFadden's assistant the last 11 years before taking the reins in 2018.
 
On the pitch, Quinn produced a 7-7-5 first campaign.
 
"After one year, I believe the kids are clearer and understand the requirements of me and what's required at USD," said Quinn. "It's not just the soccer. There's a lot involved at the university, where they have to take care of their individual business and represent the university at all times.
 
"That part, I feel we managed well. Now, I just want to get the results on the field."
 
If all goes well, Quinn thinks those results could lead to San Diego making a 2019 appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
 
"Every coach wants to make the tournament," said Quinn.
 
The difference between "every coach" and Quinn is that he may well have the players to make a postseason run. Nine starters return from last year's team, including leading scorer, striker Miguel Berry (eight goals, 18 points), and goalie Matt Wiher.
 
You don't have to be a soccer aficionado, capable of penning a thesis on the merits of the 4-4-2 vs. the 4-3-3 to know what held back San Diego last season.
 
San Diego scored 16 goals in 19 matches; .84 goals per game. USD was shut out five times. Aaron Frey scored two goals. No one else scored more than one.
 
Put bluntly, Berry needs help rippling nets.
 
"Any college team can't rely on one guy," said Quinn. "There needs to be contributions, people chipping in three, four, five goals. We need a couple of those guys."
 
The other returning starters include midfielders George West, Paul Ramlow, Ross Meldrum and Jimmy Ryan, along with defenders Frey, Henry Lander and Aidan Marmion.
 
Two transfers, Jacob Planell and Amit Hefer, should help putting pressure on opposing goalies. Planell played at North Carolina-Greensboro; Hefer scored 10 goals last season at Division II Westminister in Utah.
 
Besides finishers, Quinn thinks what be required to elevate the Toreros is a bit of old-fashioned tenacity.
 
"Everyone wants to be Manchester City and Barcelona," said Quinn, referring to those teams' flair. "That's not the college game. We've got players when in the right environment they're very skilled. They can showcase their creativity.
 
"Sometimes what's needed is grit and making plays at the right time. Then the other stuff can be icing on the cake."
 
The season opens in two days when the Toreros play at rival San Diego State on August 30.
 
Berry, no doubt, should still lead San Diego's attack.
 
"It's his appetite for the game," said Quinn, describing what sets his 6-foot-3 senior forward apart. "He's one of those guys who is constantly striving to improve his game."
 
Berry thinks the players have a better understanding of what Quinn demands.
 
"He doesn't want us to make anything easy for anyone," Berry said. "It's everyone's job, whether one-on-one or team defending. He wants uncertain pressure the entire game."
 
Like his coach, Berry feels San Diego could be playing deep into November if things go right.
 
"If 15 minutes of the season goes different last season, I think we win the conference," he said. "We all feel this is our year. We've been building to this. We're going to do a lot better than people think."