Win or lose, Jack Hyde absolutely loves what he does. After nearly 30 years of coaching soccer at SF State, the women's head soccer coach and England native still can't wait to get out of bed in the morning and head to work -- though as he describes it, 'work' and 'job' hardly seem like fitting titles.

Hyde, 65, has been coaching soccer for more than three decades and has come to hold the most tenure at SF State. Hyde has been a vital component in the creation of what is now a very respectable women's soccer program.

"Soccer is his one true passion," said Hyde's daughter, Melissa. Hyde coached for some of his daughter's teams, taking her U-16 traveling team to compete in England. "He loves watching the team grow and improve."

Hyde started coaching the men's soccer team in 1979. In addition to coaching, he taught courses in what was then the physical education department -- now the Department of Kinesiology. Hyde noticed many women on campus with an interest in soccer so he began organizing and, in 1982, was named head coach of both men's and women's soccer.

"Male or female, they're all soccer players," Hyde said.

In '94 the athletics department decided to split the soccer program in two to give each team more focus -- Hyde opted to take the women's team. Though he was still teaching classes, he was able to focus more time on recruitment and team building. Soon, he was no longer teaching but instead focusing all of his time on the women's program.

"I've always felt that no matter where or who you are, you do the best job with the situation you have," Hyde said.

And he's seemingly done just that, leading two conference championship teams in the last six seasons.

"The 'Hydester' demands a lot out of you, but that's why we had a successful season last year," said Robin Bowman, top goal scorer last season. "The captains were able to play a huge role in the team because he had prepared everyone so well early on." Bowman helped lead the Gators in becoming co-CCAA North Division Champions last season.

Apart from coaching, Hyde runs a youth summer camp in Oakland for boys and girls age 6-12 as well as coordinates National Soccer Coaches Association of America certification courses.

"It makes a tremendous difference when you participate in the same areas that you teach or coach," Hyde said. Before starting his coaching career, Hyde played on teams in England, South Africa, Canada, and the Bay Area. In 1971 he played for the San Franciscan outfit Sons of Italy.

As far as retirement goes, Hyde says he doesn't see that happening anytime soon. "The players keep me revitalized and constantly thinking, that's why I enjoy what I do so much.

"I feel fortunate to have been able to follow my dreams with soccer. I really can't stress enough how much I truly love what I do," he said.

Though his team got off to a shaky start this season - experiencing a seven game winless streak before rebounding with four confidence boosting wins in a row -- Hyde looks to guide the team to another CCAA North Division Championship. The Gators now stand in second place, just three points behind leaders Chico State.

"I ask myself, 'did I do the best job I could have?'" Hyde said. "And I look back on it all and I think, yea, I gave it a good shot."