Coker University Women’s Soccer – Coach Tony Vu
On today’s episode, I speak with Coach Tony from the Coker Women’s Program in South Carolina. We talk about how they recruit as a new staff. He describes the small town family atmosphere. Lastly, we discuss their offseason training program. Learn more about Coker University Women’s Soccer.
Matt: [00:00:00] Good morning everybody. Welcome to Discover College Soccer. I’m excited today to be talking to Coach Tony Vu at Coker University. Welcome coach.
Coach: Great. Thanks for having me.
Matt: Thanks for being here. Uh, you got a, a nice, uh, kind of small division two school up in South Carolina. I can say up cuz I’m down in Florida, but, um, You know, let’s talk initially about the recruiting side of things.
It’s, uh, you know, I’m surprised you’re, you’re sitting, uh, there in, in South Carolina, not down here in Bradenton since the EC N L Florida event is happening about three miles down the road here from me. Um, but when it comes to recruiting, I mean, it’s, it’s January. Are you guys locked in your class for this upcoming year or are you still working on that kind of, what’s the, your timeline?
Usually each year on the women. Yeah.
Coach: Um, we, it’s our, uh, first season, um, at Coker. Uh, we’re a new staff. Um, our head coach, uh, coached at Barry University, uh, in Miami, uh, and then Nova Southeastern, uh, on the east coast of Florida. So, um, we are still recruiting for the class of 23. Uh, we’re. Still trying to finalize, uh, a couple more spots for us.
Um, but, uh, typically, uh, you know, this time of year, uh, we would start on the class of 24. Um, but like I said, it’s our first season, so we kind of, uh, are, are catching up, uh, in terms of the 23 class. . [00:01:30] Um, so, uh, we, uh, were at the, uh, E C N L R L, uh, event in Sanford. Um, so, uh, we just came back up, uh, to South Carolina.
Um, so, um,
Matt: I’ll let, I’ll let it slide. I’ll let it slide.
Coach: Yeah. . Gotcha. Uh, that’s, uh, more of our, uh, our level, uh, in terms of recruits, uh, and also the, the D P L level, uh, which I knew was in South Florida, um, at the same time. So, uh, we’re, we’re still trying to, uh, bring the program, uh, back to relevance, uh, as we had a best season, uh, in seven years.
Um, so definitely, uh, on the radar. Uh, now with, with, uh, recruits. Um, we just signed, uh, a recruit from, uh, Clearwater, uh, Florida, from Florida, Celtic. Um, so definitely getting, uh, more recognition, uh, notice in Florida. Um, I know typically we have. our players, uh, in the Carolinas, um, and then, uh, within the region.
Um, so, uh, looking, uh, for, for more 20 threes, um, we have an ID camp, uh, January 22nd, uh, on a Sunday. So, uh, typically we like to get, uh, our recruits, uh, from our ID camps to kind of showcase, um, that once you come to our ID camp, you’ll get, uh, evaluated, uh, and noticed, uh, and then hopefully be offered, uh, a spot, uh, on, on a.
so.
Matt: Gotcha. Well, you mentioned camps, so do you [00:03:00] guys do longer camps? Just ID camps. How many you plan to do, do you guys work other camps, like other schools or things like Future 500, that sort of stuff?
Coach: Sure. Um, so we, we have, uh, our ID camp, which is one day. . Uh, and then typically it’s in, uh, January, uh, maybe April at the end of the spring season.
Uh, we’ll have two in the summer, uh, June and July. And then we’ll also have one in October, uh, during the season. Uh, so like I said, definitely looking to, uh, offer, uh, recruits, uh, at our ID camps. Um, but we also. , um, other schools ID camps, uh, within the area. Uh, I was justed at Coastal Carolina, uh, a couple weeks ago.
Um, so, uh, we do also the exact camps, um, also the C C S C camps, um, in the area. So definitely looking, uh, for players, uh, recruits all the time, uh, as, as we’re a new program. So trying to, uh, put our stamp, uh, and, and, uh, win, you know, uh, we’re, we’re looking to win, uh, going.
Matt: Sure. Well, you mentioned dpl, ECNL R.
Uh, you know, my, my daughter’s club would’ve been, would’ve been there too. So maybe you saw some of those players. Great. Uh, but you know what? Other tournaments are kind of must hit. Uh, where do you guys look to, to go on the, on the kind of tournament circuit?
Coach: Sure. Um, wi within our region, uh, we wanna stay within our region as, uh, demographically.
[00:04:30] Uh, in the past we, we’ve seen players, uh, in, in the Carolinas, uh, from Georgia. . Uh, we have, uh, some players from Ohio. Uh, Virginia. Um, so definitely, uh, on the East coast. Um, and then we were recently at the, uh, NC ffc, uh, college Showcase. Um, I know that’s a huge one. Um, and then, uh, clubs like Charlotte Independence, uh, is gonna have one in a couple weeks.
Uh, uh, South Carolina Surf. Charles, uh, sorry. Uh, Charlotte, uh, soccer academy. Um, so definitely from those clubs, uh, and those showcases, uh, we’ll, we’ll definitely hit. Um, and then Florida, um, uh, you know, the EC and L rs, uh, I was at O D P, uh, the inner regionals, uh, in I think November. Um, so definitely trying to see everybody on the East Coast, uh, and especially within our region.
Matt: Okay, well, whether it’s at a, at a tournament, ID camp or any of those things. What’s your hierarchy of things you’re looking for in a player, uh, when you’re recruiting there for coker?
Coach: Sure. Um, so initially, uh, we’re, we’re looking for good people. Uh, we wanna recruit, uh, players with, with great character, uh, high GPAs in the classroom as we, we believe that.
Your GPA translates on the field, um, and, and shows that you’re hardworking, uh, you’re dedicated, uh, [00:06:00] on and off the field. Um, and then, um, you know, technically we’re looking for players who have, uh, good ball control. Uh, great first touch, um, can control the ball under pressure and tight spaces. Um, and then, you know, looking for players who also can switch the point of attack.
Um, Obviously score, um, in the attacking third. Um, but like I said, good people first. Um, and then, and then soccer players after. Okay.
Matt: Now I know you guys are a new staff, but you know, you look at the current roster and it’s almost all domestic players and there tends to be this division two, uh, focus on international players these days.
But mo more on the men’s side that the women’s, but, but even at the women’s, are you guys looking, uh, at international players at all? And has the transfer portal, uh, kind of affected your recruiting? Are you looking in there?
Coach: Sure. Um, so we actually have, uh, a Swedish, uh, player coming in this spring. Um, she just got on campus, uh, last week, so very excited to, to have her, uh, come in.
Um, so. We also have, uh, a couple other internationals. Um, we have one from New Zealand, uh, forward, uh, we have a, a German player, uh, attacking mid, uh, and then we also have, uh, a Lebanese, uh, center back, uh, who is on the, uh, Lebanese national team. So very, uh, very excited, uh, about our prospects. Uh, and, and yes, we, we do, uh, look to internationals, uh, [00:07:30] to, to help, uh, revamp our, our program.
Uh, , uh, especially the next two years is, is very important for us in terms of future recruits. Uh, and, and getting back to relevance. Um, so, uh, looking at more, uh, players from the, from the United Kingdom, uh, England, or Scotland. Uh, our head coach, uh, is Scottish. So, uh, looking, uh, he has some connections over there.
um, looking to get more internationals to kind of, uh, bring in and, and help diversify our squad, uh, and our program. Um, a lot of our domestic players, uh, are very intrigued, uh, and, and really like our, our internationals who come in to kind of broaden their, uh, perspective on culture. Um, and it’s a, it’s a great melting pot, uh, at our, our, our school.
Matt: Oh, that’s awesome. Well, I, I. Can’t let you go without, uh, asking about the key, key component for parents here, and that’s what’s it gonna cost me. Um, so I’m not holding you any hard numbers here, but can you just gimme an overall, uh, look at what does it cost to attend, how to scholarships fit in, whether that’s academic and or athletic.
Do you guys stack that sort of thing to, to help get a picture of, of cost of attendance?
Coach: Yeah. Uh, . We are a small, uh, private liberal arts, uh, university. Um, so, uh, we play in the south, uh, Atlantic conference, uh, which all of the schools in there are private institutions. Um, so our [00:09:00] tuition, uh, is 42,000. Um, and then based on your gpa, um, academically you can get between 10,000, uh, and 15,000, uh, and.
off the bat. Um, so, uh, you know, discounted rate, uh, for, for the parents. Um, and then we, we do stack, um, athletic and academic scholarships. Um, so, uh, coming in, uh, internationals, uh, we, we tend to give more scholarship, uh, because they are coming far away, um, to help them out. Um, but domestically, uh, depending on your level, uh, depending on, on coming in, if you can make an immediate impact, uh, and.
Um, we, we, there’s an option to give you, uh, athletic scholarship. Um, but uh, we do have, uh, some walk-ons, um, that potentially, uh, can get, uh, athletic scholarship, uh, as they progressed into their sophomore in junior year. So, uh, coming in, um, , you know, you do get academic scholarship, so it’s not like you’re paying 42,000 off the bat.
Um, and then you have the opportunity, uh, to earn, uh, athletic scholarship and even more. Um, we had a player who was a sophomore this year. From North Carolina, uh, is on, uh, athletic scholarship. Um, but she did very well this season. Um, so we added, uh, extra, uh, athletic scholarship, uh, to, to her aid. Um, so definitely, [00:10:30] uh, opportunities, uh, to increase your aid as you go on.
Matt: Oh, that’s awesome.
Well, let’s, let’s talk a little bit more about the schools. I’m sure there’s some folks out there not familiar with Coker. I, I, you know, I had the, the pleasure of working with a previous men’s coach from Coker many moons ago when I worked the University of South Carolina camps. Uh, but, you know, gimme some things.
I know you’re, you’re, you’re new. So what are some of the things you’ve discovered about Coker, uh, besides what’s on the website that you think really make it stand? .
Coach: Um, I, I really like the, uh, the, the town, um, the, the small town atmosphere. Um, it’s like a family, uh, in our community. Uh, everybody knows each other.
Um, if you go to Walmart and you’ll see someone you know, um, and then, uh, what I really, you know, uh, have noticed as everybody supports you, uh, in the community, um, as faculty, staff, um, athletic department, um, everybody’s there for each. . Um, so there’s about, uh, a thousand, uh, to 1100 students, uh, on campus, um, and, uh, mainly, uh, student athletes.
So, um, there’s a 12, uh, student to one professor ratio, uh, typically in the classroom. So a lot of engagement from your professors. A lot of personable time, uh, to say, after talk about your class, talk about what’s going on, if you need extra help, um, if you need an extens. Uh, professors are very, uh, [00:12:00] empathetic, um, and, and, uh, are more than willing to work with you there.
Um, so we have staff, uh, and, and faculty come out to our, uh, games, uh, support the players. Um, you know, we’ll talk to players afterwards and, uh, the student athletes really love that aspect. Um, where. You know, uh, they’re, they’re gonna see their professors outside of the classroom, uh, and they know that they’ll be there at their games.
So, um, some other things, uh, the campus is, is, is quite small. It takes about five minutes to, uh, walk everywhere on campus. So, um, you know, you, you should never be late to a class. Um, and then, uh, also, uh, , just a camaraderie, uh, and, and, and the culture, uh, of the campus. Um, our president, uh, we have a new president, uh, Dr.
Harder, uh, she does, uh, a, a great job, uh, of, of getting every, everybody on the same page. Um, and, you know, in, within our five year plan, um, she wants the school to regress, uh, to new heights. Um, so that’s very exciting, uh, for our. Sure.
Matt: Well let, let on the academic side of things, you know, how do your student athletes really balance those commitments between the sport and their studies, and what kind of support systems does the university offer to help them in that?
Coach: Sure. Um, we, uh, our, our classes, uh, are typically from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Um, so we, we never have practice, uh, during, during the mornings. Um, [00:13:30] usually if we have an away trip, uh, there’ll be, uh, a seven or seven 30. Uh, before, uh, class and then you’ll be dismissed. Um, so soccer never comes first. Uh, school is always first.
Um, and then practices, uh, are either from four to six or six to 8:00 PM or, or, uh, our men’s team is, is eight to 10:00 PM sometimes. So, um, Balancing school, uh, and, and soccer. Uh, we have study hall, uh, hours, uh, which they can knock out, uh, three days, uh, three hours a week. Um, and then if they need extra help, uh, or extra study hall hours, uh, they can come up to the office, uh, in our athletic facility, um, and have quiet time there to kind of focus on, on studies, uh, and then not have distractions from roommates or, or, uh, the library.
Um, so definitely, uh, a lot of support. With, with our coaches, uh, we, we want a, a high, uh, GPA for the team, uh, average. So definitely, um, uh, that, that’s very important to us. Uh, and then there’s free tutoring, uh, that’s offered in the libraries. Uh, and then, you know, English, uh, math, uh, there’s a writing lab. . Um, so all the STEM programs, um, it, it’s all free to students.
Um, so definitely, uh, you know, we want our, our student athletes to take advantage of that. Um, and then, um, balancing school, uh, you know, they can, uh, on a away trips, they can, uh, do their [00:15:00] homework on the bus. Uh, I know it’s not ideal sometimes, um, but, um, You know, we, we really preach, uh, time management skills.
Uh, and, and then in your off time, you know, uh, you wanna rest and recover, uh, but also get your studies done so that you can, uh, plan ahead, uh, for on and off the field.
Matt: No. Okay, great. We, uh, you, and you mentioned it a little bit, but can you just really quickly walk me through a typical week during a season in terms of classes, meals, practice games, all that kind of.
Coach: Yeah. So, uh, weight training, uh, is usually Monday and Thursdays. Um, and that’s, uh, before class, uh, in the morning. Um, and then, uh, practices are usually Tuesday, Thursday, and sometimes Fridays. Uh, and then games are Wednesdays and Saturdays. Um, so they’ll go to class, uh, eat breakfast, um, you know, go to school until.
Um, and then they can either have dinner, uh, before if it’s a, a later practice, um, or they can eat after. Um, if it’s a a, a practice from five to six, uh, we have an option in the cafeteria for student athletes, um, for afterwards, um, to get a meal before they, they go to bed or, or, or finish their studies. Um, and then study hall hours, uh, typically are.
on a day where there’s no practice. Um, so they can go to study hall or it’s, if it’s after practice, [00:16:30] um, from like a four to six, uh, practice. Um, and then game days, um, we have a, uh, scouting report, uh, where there’s video analysis, uh, to go over. , the opponent. Um, and then, you know, things we did well, uh, in practice or, or in the games previously or things we need to improve on or, or look out for.
Um, so, uh, we continue to, uh, have success on the field. Um, and then, um, we, we typically have a family meal, um, before games, uh, uh, before or after, uh, depending on, on, on what the, uh, the female players, uh, . Okay.
Matt: Awesome. Well, let’s talk a little bit more about the, the players and on the field stuff and, and the soccer side of things.
Right. So, I, is there a roster size that you guys are, are trying to hit every year that you find as ideal? Sure.
Coach: Um, so we have, um, between, uh, 23, uh, and 26 typically, uh, in the future we wanna get up to about. Players to, to keep, uh, practices competitive. Um, and as you know, injuries, uh, during the season, uh, can accumulate.
Um, so we always want to have the best 11th on the field, uh, and always want to travel with the best 20, uh, to 22 players, um, for away trips. Um, but I think [00:18:00] 25, uh, is, is our, uh, ideal, uh, number of players, uh, where we want, where, you know, there’s, there’s enough competi. And there, there’s enough, uh, playing time, uh, for players to compete for.
Matt: Okay. And in terms of your staff, obviously you, you’re, you’re on the women’s staff as one of the assistants, and I know you help out with the men as well, the, with the Goalkeeping focus. But can you talk to me a little about the overall staff and, and really you could talk about both teams if you want, uh, about what that looks like, how the teams interact, that sort of thing.
Coach: Sure. Um, you know, we, we have great, uh, head coaches. They give us freedom, uh, to work independently, uh, and take on more, uh, administrative tasks and, and more, uh, of the, uh, the coaching aspect, uh, and practices. So, uh, really grateful, uh, for, for head coaches that, uh, want their assistants to, uh, grow, uh, as individuals and, and as soccer coaches.
Um, so, uh, on the men’s side, There’s three coaches, including myself, uh, the, the main assistant and I, uh, help with the developmental team, uh, on the men’s. And then on the women’s side, uh, we only have one team. Um, so, uh, I’ll help the, uh, head coach, uh, during practices, taking some of maybe some technical warmup or some tactical aspects, uh, in the practice.
Um, and then also, uh, set pieces, uh, I’ll [00:19:30] also, uh, lead, uh, or help out with. Uh, but, uh, my main focus is the goalkeepers, uh, on both, both sides. But, uh, in terms of the women’s program, I have a lot of, uh, responsibilities, uh, in terms of helping on the field, um, and also, uh, administratively.
Matt: Okay. Well, when it comes to on the field play, how would you describe the team style of play and, and your head coach’s style of coaching and, and kind of what is that culture of the team on the women’s side?
Coach: Sure. Uh, on the women’s side, uh, it’s uh, more possession based. Uh, we want to keep the ball. , uh, from side to side. Uh, so we wanna swing the ball and, and, uh, this past season, uh, we’ve, we’ve played more on the counter, uh, to catch teams, uh, off guard and, and open spaces on the weak side. Uh, either playing balls through, uh, through the middle breaking lines, uh, or crossing the ball.
Uh, like to play a lot of hold up, play, uh, with our striker. So, uh, our, we have principles, uh, at, at our, uh, in our program. Um, so some of the principles are ball controlled, uh, you know, playing in the other half as much as we can. Uh, keeping possession and then defensively, uh, winning the ball back, uh, as quickly as we can, uh, and, and pressing.
Uh, so, uh, in terms of player management, we want to get to know our players, uh, individually, uh, and and collect. , um, [00:21:00] as a group. So, uh, this past season we’ve tried to hit hard on, on getting to know each player, uh, know their personalities, um, so that we can, uh, manage them better in the games, uh, and, and help them, uh, kind of kinda, uh, go through, uh, the games and, and be successful, uh, to, to get a result.
Okay.
Matt: Well, are there any. Sorts of technologies that you guys employ, whether that’s in practice or games, and then what, what does that look like?
Coach: Sure. Um, so we use Huddle, um, for, for our video analysis. Um, and then also, uh, we, we, uh, use, uh, flow sports, uh, through our conference. Um, so a lot of the, the games, uh, we will, we’ll edit and cut, uh, our, um, from the, uh, flow sports.
And then we use huddle, uh, to help players, uh, you know, see what they did well, uh, see what they, uh, need to improve on. Um, and then how do you, uh, how to attack or, or defend, uh, against the, uh, opponent, uh, during our scouting reports, uh, with the team? Um, so players will get individual emails, uh, of, of, uh, their, their clips, um, and.
Um, they’re always welcome to come up to the office, uh, if they have questions about, uh, what to do. How to defend the space or how to attack the space. Um, so we’re [00:22:30] always, uh, very willing, uh, to have that open door policy, uh, because we wanna have players that, that, uh, are engaged on their own, um, and, and watch film, uh, and, you know, watch highlights of, of pro games and, uh, or just very interested, uh, in, in the soccer aspect, uh, and, and, and wanting to.
On the field so that they’re better, uh, prepared, uh, for the next game. Oh, I love
Matt: that. Um, well, you know, we’re, we’re talking in January, so your season’s over and, and then we get the spring coming up. So what will your, uh, I mean, I don’t even know if your students are back yet, but, but what’s that spring gonna look like for the players in that non-traditional season?
Coach: Sure. Um, we’re, we’re excited, uh, to have a, uh, a proper spring. Um, . I know last spring they had an interim coach, uh, for the women’s side. But, uh, this spring we’re, we’re excited to work on, uh, small groups and individual work, uh, mainly on the technical, uh, side, uh, of, of the game. Um, so sharp sharpening up on skills, uh, learning how to, uh, you know, control the ball properly.
First touch, uh, uh, aerial balls out of the air. Um, and then, like I said, a lot of. Individual work and small group work. So we’ll work, uh, mainly with maybe, uh, uh, the forwards and attackers and one practice and other practices we’ll work with, uh, the back line and learning how to play out the back, [00:24:00] uh, breaking lines into the middle.
Um, and then, you know, midfields, uh, and, and forwards will work with each other on finishing and crossing. Um, and then, uh, tactically, uh, working on, uh, the formations we wanna employ, uh, going forward. Uh, and then we’ll. A couple, at least three to four, um, uh, spring games. Um, and then trying to just experiment, uh, with, with our players that we do have on campus, uh, and, and seeing, um, you know, uh, how they fit in, uh, to our fall season next, uh, next semester.
Um, so, uh, it’s our first day of classes today. Um, so very excited to have all the students back on campus. Uh, we’ll start next. , uh, in terms of, uh, practicing, uh, we want to give this first week, uh, for our, our new transfers and, and new 20 threes coming in, uh, to, uh, kind of get accustomed, uh, to campus life and, and just, uh, give everybody to, uh, you know, get going, uh, in their classes.
Sure. Um, and then also we have, uh, four days a week, uh, with our, our strength and conditioning coach. Um, so, uh, spring will be, uh, a great time, uh, to, uh, bulk up, uh, and, and be, uh, prepared to be more physical, uh, as our conference, uh, is, is very physical. Um, and, and we wanna be prepared for that also. Um, so very excited, uh, to be working with our, our, our student athletes.
uh, very [00:25:30] excited to, uh, you know, get better, um, collectively and individually. Uh, and also as a coaching staff. Um, they’ll give me time, uh, to, uh, work more, uh, with the players and, and get to know them better, uh, in terms of, uh, coaching them in practice. Um, we missed out on playoffs, uh, by four points, uh, in the.
Um, our goal was to, uh, just be in the playoffs. Um, but, uh, you know, with this spring, uh, if, if everybody can get, uh, 5% better, uh, individually, uh, we’ll definitely make playoffs next year. So, uh, this is where, uh, where the work, uh, begins, right, uh, in, in, in the spring and, and, uh, prepare and be ready for.
Matt: Absolutely. Well, coach, I appreciate, uh, all the time and we’ve covered a lot of different topics, but I always like to end these the same way and that’s what didn’t we talk about. What else do you want folks to know, whether that’s about recruiting, about college, soccer in general, the school, your team, anything, uh, that you wanna say?
I’ll give you a last minute here.
Coach: Great. Uh, yeah, we, we are looking for, for some 23 still, um, goalkeepers, uh, mainly, um, also forwards, uh, center mids. Um, but. , you know, we wanna win, uh, at our program and we wanna start changing the culture to a winning mentality. So looking for, for players that have great character, uh, grit, uh, determination, um, and, you know, wanna be engaged, uh, in the games, uh, for the full 90 minutes.
So, definitely an [00:27:00] exciting time for us. Uh, we want to compete and start beating, uh, the top teams, uh, in our conference. Uh, so definitely, uh, watch out for us, uh, and. Uh, excited to, uh, be here at Coke and, and change the program around.
Matt: Awesome. Well, coach, we wish you the best of luck in, in all those pursuits, and, uh, we’ll keep an eye on you and if you’re in, if, I don’t know if, if you’re going to Philly, uh, this week for the convention, but if you are, stop by and say hello.
And if not, hopefully we’ll see you down here, uh, in Florida at one of these recruiting events and, and we can hang out in person. All right?
Coach: For sure. Awesome. Awesome. Well, thanks for your
Matt: time. Thank you, coach.
