SimpleCoach D3 Soccer YouTube Channel

Hopkins92 · June 18, 2025, 07:41:34 PM

He's not saying he's a mad scientist... But he's kind of not saying he's not a mad scientist. ;-)

This is a really great interview, SC. I know I'm biased, but I guess I should also note that I haven't run around on this board being a fanboy, either. He is really an interesting guy that clearly does a lot of work that isn't just focused on soccer, but also on theories on leadership and growth and whole host of other topics.

Interesting guy, and I mean that as a compliment, for sure.

Hopkins92 · June 18, 2025, 08:03:20 PM

Recap I posted to the fairly active Hopkins alumni Facebook page.

Season Preview with Coach A. He's always candid in these interviews and I really respect that. Some highlights:

Hop is losing 10(!) players from last year's squad. COVID extra year plus "natural" matriculation amounts to losing 2 classes in one fell swoop.

The freshman class is 9 strong. Coach thinks some can come in and contribute right away, BUT "it takes players 2.5 years to learn the system." Soooo... Yeah. The early-season trips to TN and OH are going to be really interesting and challenging (my words, not his).

Lots of really interesting insight into how Coach thinks about the development and evolution of the team. A number of different ways to say "it depends" but not in a dodgy way, just honest answers that amount to each iteration of these teams have their own story (again, I'm editorializing a little here.)

He self-effacingly brings up the moniker of mad-scientist. If you want to understand Coach A's mindset, and you only have a few minutes, head to minute 15:00. Fascinating.

I'll leave it there, as I don't want to write something that would take as long to read as simply watching the video.

Props to the interviewer, who is (as far as I know) the only guy in the country shining such a spotlight on D3 soccer. Hours and hours of interviews and shows breaking down match-ups and delivering his own rankings. Worth a follow, even if just to support what he's doing.

EnmoreCat · June 21, 2025, 02:22:44 AM

I've never watched Johns Hopkins play and understand they are a successful programme, but watching this interview it's pretty clear that there's a mad scientist lurking! I'm curious to know how players process what seems like a significant and possibly quite complex information download. I know he does get intelligent players to work with, maybe that makes it easier.

SierraFD3soccer · June 21, 2025, 11:51:05 AM

Guessing he is referring to his PK strategy last year? He's willing to do different stuff last year though. Previous to last year, Hop seemed to be pretty predictable.

Several other things. His run down of the Cent. Conf. is pretty accurate imo with Dickinson the one coming in the strongest this season. Interesting about losing 10. Question is what sort of grad students are they going to get who in the past have definitely impacted the squad. Offense may be a challenge for Hop, but that is pretty much every team in the Cent. Conf. other than Dickinson.

Surprised that W&L is not heading to Hop this year. Usually its a home and home series with Hop going to W&L last year, but with two travel weekends in row in the beginning of the season I guess it could not be scheduled.

Get Dickinson's coach!!!

Get the Dickinson coach for an interview!!

Hopkins92 · June 22, 2025, 08:36:03 AM

1) I was surprised SC didn't follow up on the Grad Transfer point, because Coach A specifically made a point that the new players # was strictly referring to freshmen. I'm assuming he has at least 2 or 3 because, yes, that has become a distinct part of his team-building strategy lately.

2) The mad scientist aspect included the PKs, but also that he would look at a player and put them in positions they had never been in before. He's taken CBs and put them at FWD and vice versa. So, not just the PK thing.

SimpleCoach · June 23, 2025, 02:38:14 PM

2025 Season Preview w/ Matt Weiss, Head Men's Coach @OhioWesleyanU

@NCAASoccer @UnitedCoaches

SierraFD3soccer · June 23, 2025, 02:54:41 PM

Quote from: Hopkins92 on June 22, 2025, 08:36:03 AM1) I was surprised SC didn't follow up on the Grad Transfer point, because Coach A specifically made a point that the new players # was strictly referring to freshmen. I'm assuming he has at least 2 or 3 because, yes, that has become a distinct part of his team-building strategy lately.

2) The mad scientist aspect included the PKs, but also that he would look at a player and put them in positions they had never been in before. He's taken CBs and put them at FWD and vice versa. So, not just the PK thing.

Agreed as to switching players. However, many coaches switch players around when first arriving and/or over the 4 years based on what they believe is best for the program. Ex. Wagner from F&M took Oscar Horwitz, who had never been a striker and always been a back for his entire soccer career, and moved him forward in his sophomore year. I think it was because of his very nice goal against Hop that year.

Hopkins92 · June 23, 2025, 03:32:00 PM

He didn't say he was THE mad scientist, just A mad scientist. ;-)

My coaching partner and I had a kid who was fast as hell and pretty small... and all her parents wanted was for her to be a striker. She left us to play for a big-time club (Bethesda) and paid a lot of money to try to make that position a reality.

When Bethesda said they were going to move her to the C team, her parents were livid. (The thing about this player is that she was hella fast and REALLY smart about her angles. But she had the yips and just couldn't finish.) We said she could come back to our team, but only on one condition: She was a natural center back, and she needed to give it a shot for one season.

That girl went on to start for her high school team at CB and won a state championship her junior year. Those parents are part of our friend group, and we give them grief about that issue from time to time.

Little Giant 89 · June 24, 2025, 01:57:07 PM

Great interview with Bianco. I appreciate the focus on the North Coast. You need to talk with Keller at Wabash.

SimpleCoach · June 26, 2025, 11:42:18 AM

Another great conversation. Capital could be a force to reckon with in the region this year.

2025 Season Preview w/ Cory Kirk, Head Men's Coach @capitaluniversity �

Hope you enjoy.

SC.

SimpleCoach · June 26, 2025, 11:42:40 AM

Quote from: Little Giant 89 on June 24, 2025, 01:57:07 PMGreat interview with Bianco. I appreciate the focus on the North Coast. You need to talk with Keller at Wabash.

Will send out an invite..

SC.

SimpleCoach · June 26, 2025, 11:45:13 AM

Quote from: Hopkins92 on June 22, 2025, 08:36:03 AM1) I was surprised SC didn't follow up on the Grad Transfer point, because Coach A specifically made a point that the new players # was strictly referring to freshmen. I'm assuming he has at least 2 or 3 because, yes, that has become a distinct part of his team-building strategy lately.

2) The mad scientist aspect included the PKs, but also that he would look at a player and put them in positions they had never been in before. He's taken CBs and put them at FWD and vice versa. So, not just the PK thing.

Re: the transfers... I find this to be a sensitive subject with coaches. Think the impression is that it is an artificial way of making you better. I would just let the game speak for itself.

And yes, the PKs aren't the only things he experiments with. He is pretty unique and looks to make everything better, no matter how unconventional it may appear.

SC.

SC

SimpleCoach · June 26, 2025, 11:45:54 AM

Quote from: SierraFD3soccer on June 21, 2025, 11:51:05 AMGet Dickinson's coach!!!

Get the Dickinson coach for an interview!!

Emailed a number of times, but will try again.

SC.

Hopkins92 · June 26, 2025, 03:50:31 PM

Quote from: SimpleCoach on June 26, 2025, 11:45:13 AM
Quote from: Hopkins92 on June 22, 2025, 08:36:03 AM1) I was surprised SC didn't follow up on the Grad Transfer point, because Coach A specifically made a point that the new players # was strictly referring to freshmen. I'm assuming he has at least 2 or 3 because, yes, that has become a distinct part of his team-building strategy lately.

2) The mad scientist aspect included the PKs, but also that he would look at a player and put them in positions they had never been in before. He's taken CBs and put them at FWD and vice versa. So, not just the PK thing.

Re: the transfers... I find this to be a sensitive subject with coaches. Think the impression is that it is an artificial way of making you better. I would just let the game speak for itself.

And yes, the PKs aren't the only things he experiments with. He is pretty unique and looks to make everything better, no matter how unconventional it may appear.

SC.

SC

Huh. I can see there having been a stigma when the trend picked up steam. But when D1 sports are being ruled by the Transfer Portal, that is a pretty antiquated notion. And, put in the D3 context, when D1 non-revenue sports are cutting scholarships (and NIL funds) and reducing rosters... I would argue that not going after this new talent pool is negligent.

To me, having an eye for talent and being open to whatever opportunities present themselves is preferable to clinging to some outdated unwritten rule.

Reality is reality. I feel the same about programs that lean on foreign players. No shame in that game.