University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Women’s Soccer – Coach Dan Montanye

On today’s episode, I speak with Coach Dan from the Wisconsin-Whitewater Women’s Program. We talk about how events and camps fit into his recruiting. He describes the school from the perspective of alum and staff member. Lastly, we discuss his coaching style and how he likes to get the team to play. Learn more about University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Women’s Soccer.

Matt: [00:00:00] Hi everybody. Welcome to discover college soccer today. I’m lucky enough to be joined by coach Dan from Wisconsin whitewater. Welcome coach. Yeah. Thanks for having me, Matt. Yeah. Thanks for being here. Nice. Uh, nice to see you on a, on a bright Monday morning. Although we’re talking here beginning of March and, uh, you know, it’s the height of the college showcase season.

I spent this last weekend at. That premiere down here for the ECNL, ECNLR event, and then tons of coaches walking around, I’m sure you were probably out seeing a game somewhere. But, uh, with that in mind, kind of tell me, you know, what is, what is your timeline for your recruiting class looking like right now?

I know that there’s been with the FAFSA changes, things are kind of thrown a little. A little wonky probably from what you’re used to, but, but where are you guys at with say your class of 24, class 25? What’s that looking like for you right now? 

Coach: So class of 2024, I’m really wrapping it up. Um, got a couple of players who, like you said, because of the FAFSA, um, are delayed a little bit in decision making.

Um, which, you know, timeline wise is just something we’ve got to all got to be dealing with right now. So, so there’s a handful that, uh, you know, still kind of waiting on that final decision. Yeah. But for the most part, wrapping it up, uh, 2025, uh, is in full swing. Um, talking with recruits, uh, getting them on campus, going and seeing them play, all those, all those different [00:01:30] steps.

So, um, yeah, that’s in full swing. And then, and even 2026 is it’s, it’s kind of that, that’s the process has begun and, um, building that database and, and starting to, you know, trying to collect names and, and watch as much as I can and get an idea of where we want to go for 2026. 

Matt: Okay. Well, in terms of looking at players, what are some, some events that are kind of on, on your must hit list?

Where do you like to go, especially this time of year? 

Coach: Yeah, so, you know, typically I’m trying to get to as many different, um, types of events as I can, whether it’s, um, our, our own, um, ID camps or overnight camps that we host, um, going to different, um, club sponsored, uh, showcases, um, or, or different league, um, events, right?

You mentioned one of the ECNL events, um, you know, those types of events. Um, you know, and so trying to, trying to hit a variety so that I’m, I’m not missing anybody. Um, I think that’s the key, you know, I don’t want players to go under the radar for me where, you know, it’s a player that could have made a difference in my program and, and I never got out and saw him.

Yeah. 

Matt: And, and this may be a hard question to ask, but, or answer, but, but it’s one I love to ask. And that is. If you look at your standard player pool for any recruiting class, how much of that pool are players that you’ve gone out and seen at a showcase, a camp, or whatever [00:03:00] versus The start of them getting in your pool was because they reached out to you.

What do you think that split might look like? 

Coach: Yeah. Yeah. That would probably end up being more 65 percent of them reaching out 35 percent of me starting the conversation. Um, a lot of times when I’m going to, uh, different events, Um, I have an idea of who I want to watch already. Um, and, and part of that comes from, they’ve already communicated with me, their interest in our school.

The reality is there’s so many players out there. And so I want to be focusing my attention on the players that have legitimate interest in us. And so I’m, I’m focusing my attention on them. And then while I’m at those events. I’m, I’m picking up kind of that other 35 percent that I see that stand out to me that I want to go and reach out to and see if there’s any interest there.

Matt: Love that. Awesome. Well, whether it’s at a camp or, or you mentioned, or you mentioned camps, whether it’s at a camp or, or event or anything like that, kind of what makes up the hierarchy of things you’re looking for in a player, things that, you know, maybe off the field attributes on the field attributes that make, You want somebody to be there at Wisconsin Whitewater?

Coach: Yeah, I think, you know, first and foremost, I’m looking on the field, um, if they seem like a good fit for us. Um, you know, so I’m looking at, um, athleticism. I’m looking at [00:04:30] technical ability. I’m looking at decision making, um, you know, positioning on the field, movement off the ball. I think that goes very underrated.

Um, And, and again, also just being able to have an impact, uh, on the game. Um, and that doesn’t necessarily mean always being the one that scores the goals or, or gets the assist, but. But the ones that that make a true positive impact for their team, um, and that can be within their leadership, keeping the team going in the right direction in a positive direction, uh, instructing them, you know, where it be on the field, what needs to be done.

Um, and it can can be obviously being a playmaker, getting involved, getting stuck into tackles, winning aerial battles, just all those little things. Um, and then once, you know, once I feel like, yeah, this is a player that. I can see helping us on the field, then it’s looking at a lot of the other, uh, aspects of what they would bring to the program, um, off the field.

Uh, you know, what type of a teammate are they, um, academically, you know, what do they bring to the table? Um, you know, and and so those are kind of things that through additional conversations, um, whether it’s a phone call, whether it’s a campus visit. You know, email exchange, trying to, to gather more information about them as, as individuals.

Okay. 

Matt: Well, in terms of [00:06:00] the, I don’t know, completely like blanked here, which never happens, but Hey, what, you know, you, you do this podcast 250 times. It’s bound to happen. Um, with the. Transfer portal, uh, international recruiting, um, and kind of junior colleges, because I know there’s a boatload in the Wisconsin, Illinois area that with those kind of what I call non traditional, you know, recruiting areas, right?

It’s not, you’re, you’re going to an event and seeing freshmen or incoming freshmen. How much do you look at those non traditional recruiting avenues? Do they come into play at all for you in, in your normal recruiting cycle? Yeah. 

Coach: Yeah, they do. Um, you know, like I said, I don’t want to leave any stone unturned.

Um, I would still say the, the bulk of my recruiting is kind of done the more traditional route. Um, watching, you know, the, the upcoming high school players. Um, play high school age players. But, um, you know, with the with the introduction of the transfer portal, which is obviously been in full swing for a number of years now, um, that’s impacted things.

So it’s something I have to pay attention to. Um, and then you mentioned internationals as well. Uh, it’s again, it’s an, it’s an area that you’ve got to explore, um, you know, whether you are a school that is. Uh, international heavy or not. [00:07:30] Um, so it’s an area that I’m, I’m delving into as well. Um, just making sure that again, any player that can have a positive impact on our program, I don’t miss out on because I didn’t explore it.

Matt: No. And I think that’s a, that’s a great way to do it, especially at the D three level. Right? So, well, let’s shift gears a little talk about the school. I’m sure some folks not familiar with Wisconsin whitewater, you guys are Kind of just to the southwest of Milwaukee, if I’m not mistaken, um, so. You’ve got a good insight because you’re an alum, if I’m not mistaken, as well as a coach.

So what are some of the things that you love about the school? Some things that you find are awesome that maybe we wouldn’t even know by going through the website. 

Coach: Yeah. So you’re, you are correct. I went to Whitewater, um, played here, uh, got my undergrad and my, my graduate work done here. Um, my wife also actually, uh, is an alum, uh, played on the women’s soccer team, which is how we met.

Um, and so my brother actually also played for the men’s team right after I did. So we’ve got this, this whole thing here, um, family connections. But, um, yeah, so, so whitewater was a school that, um, on my radar, uh, coming through, it, it really stood out to me when I was going through the recruiting process myself.

Um, it was, it had a, A high academic standard. Um, I was interested in, in, in business. Um, it’s a great business program. Um, [00:09:00] and then athletically, um, just. Athletics in general are very successful here. Um, they’re a big deal. People take them very seriously and, and, uh, and have a lot of success in them. And, and the, the, the men’s and women’s soccer programs are no exception.

Um, and so, you know, being able to come to a school that had a, a high level academic, uh, standard for what I wanted, Um, high athletic success. Um, and then the size of the school, I think, is something that speaks to a lot of people as well. Um, we are kind of that happy medium between the small schools and the enormous schools.

We have about 11, 000, uh, undergraduate, uh, students, and so, you know, larger for most D3s that you’re going to talk with. Um, so it’s kind of that happy medium between the ones that want a little bit more to their, their college experience, things to do, people to meet. Um, but don’t necessarily want to be overwhelmed by a mini city, essentially, um, like some campuses, right?

So we’re kind of that perfect medium for a lot of people. Um, and, and I think that’s. That’s the type of athlete that we get here are the high level athletes that can play at any level but choose to come to Whitewater for the reasons that I, I mentioned before. 

Matt: No, that makes sense. Now I’ve talked to a few other schools that are, uh, I guess for [00:10:30] lack of a better term, maybe branch campuses, right?

Uh, recently talked to Indiana University, South Bend, right? So they’re tied in with IU, but in a different location. I know there’s a bunch of different Wisconsin blank fill in the city, uh, type schools right there. Is it, okay. Are they all stand alone campuses or are they tied into the main University of Wisconsin?

I know there may be part of the Wisconsin University, Wisconsin system. But is there any kind of, uh, you know, different ways there? The schools are working together apart of one another. Is that is that? Anything at all? 

Coach: Yeah. So the Wisconsin school system, university system is actually really fantastic. Um, so like you mentioned, there’s a lot of different schools within that system throughout our state, um, at all divisions, division one, division two and division three.

And, um, so we all are separate really entities. Um, we, we have our own separate campuses. We have our own separate facilities. We’re doing our own thing, but we still have collaboration, um, you know, in different aspects when it comes to, um, communicating about the needs of the students that we service. Um, but in, you know, in essence, we’re, we’re really our own own separate entities.

Okay. 

Matt: Well, part of, you know, succeeding at the collegiate level is being able to. In the classroom, not only [00:12:00] on the soccer field. So what kind of support systems and what do you guys, does the school offer? And what do you guys do specifically to make sure that the students have success both on the field and off?

Coach: Yeah. So, um, we do a really great job as, as the university and as well as, um, and the flight department, um, providing different. Services for for our students and our student athletes. Um, tutoring is a big one. Um, you know, everybody throughout their time has had a class, um, whether you’ve gone through college or are currently going through it, where you struggled a little bit, and it was beneficial to get some additional help outside of the classroom.

Um, and so that’s something that’s provided, um, easily accessible and and again, kind of provided as part of. Um, part of you being a student here at Whitewater. Um, so I know a lot of our players access that. Um, and then it’s also beneficial. Um, we have different, um, mental health professionals, uh, available to to our students.

Um. You know, as well as nutritionists, uh, we have specifically within our, our program, we have an athletic trainer that works with our, with our team, um, does a great job again, helping them physically and mentally stay engaged and, and, uh, on the field in a, in a positive way. So, um, those are all kind of, kind of areas that, uh, you know, our players utilize, um, and have access to, which is really, really awesome.[00:13:30] 

Matt: Yeah. Sounds like it. Well, in terms of. Students day to day, right? Especially freshman. They’re not. Okay. What am I going to be doing when I get to college? So let’s rewind it back. Let’s say we’re in the middle of your conference schedule. Um, you know, what would a typical week look like for one of your players in terms of winter classes and training and meals and the game canes and all that kind of stuff?

Coach: Yes. So, um, so we’re gonna, a typical week, you’re, you’re going to have, um, two games, usually a weekday and a weekend game, and then you’ll have, uh, three training sessions. And then usually we also have a strength and conditioning coach that, that works with our program. So, um, one to two times a week, kind of just depending on the, on the schedule that week, um, you’re getting in with them as well.

Uh, in season, you’re really looking at maintaining your, your levels, um, as well as helping with injury prevention and, uh, and then you’re going to have two days, two days of rest, um, for me, those days off are really important, uh, physically, mentally, um, to be able to manage your, your course load, um, and be successful in the classroom, have a social life, um, and have a, a really positive overall college experience.

Um, on and off the field, right? So, um, you know, during the day, um, in the mornings, early afternoons is when you’re going to be having your classes. Uh, we have our, our trainings, uh, early at, uh, early [00:15:00] evening, late afternoon, um, going 4 to 6. And then, um, and then our games, if it’s on a weekday, usually in the evenings, uh, weekends are usually kind of midday.

Matt: Well, let’s shift gears, talk a little bit more about the team. Um, in terms of a roster size, is there one that you find is ideal that you guys are trying to hit each year? 

Coach: Yeah. 30 players. Um, Each year, um, you know, maybe a little bit less, a little bit, a little bit over just kind of depending on the year, but right around 30 for me, it’s that sweet spot where you have enough on your roster to be able to develop a little bit to be able to accomplish everything you want in training sessions.

I think it’s really valuable to be able to play 11 aside. Um, in training sessions and really implement in a game like situation, all the things that you’ve been working on throughout the week and throughout the training session. Um, and then if you, you run, you know, it’s, it’s just part of the nature of the business, right?

You have injuries that come up, um, you know, and you’ve, you’ve got players that can plug right in. Um, and you don’t feel like you’re gonna, gonna be shorthanded. Um, But it’s not such a large roster where we run into situations where players just don’t really feel like they’re part of what we’re all about and what we’re doing.

Um, everybody travels, everybody trains together. Um, so we don’t really have a JV or reserve [00:16:30] team, you know, so to speak. So, um, you know, it’s one group. We all do things together and, um, you know, we find success and learn from failure together. 

Matt: That’s fantastic. Well, another part of a roster is the coaching staff.

So talk to me about how big is your staff? What role does everybody play? And I think you mentioned a little bit before, but what are some of the other support staff maybe in the athletic department that help out with the team? 

Coach: Yeah. So myself, obviously, uh, head coach. Um, and then we, I have an assistant coach.

Um, she’s fantastic. Um, has been with me really since I took over this role. Um, and, and, and helps a lot with the running of training sessions. Um, communicating with players. Um, she’s helped to implement some of our, uh, injury prevention. Um, you know, during our, during our warm up. Um, trying to keep players healthy and on the field, right?

She does a great job that way. We’re, we have a goalkeeper coach, um, coming in, um, which I’m really excited about, and obviously goalkeepers are a unique, um, position that, that needs some specialized training. So we’ve got that coming in, which I’m really excited about. And, um, I did mention the strength and conditioning coach as well that works with our team throughout the year.

So, um, you know, helps them out that way, uh, in the weight room, making sure that we’re, um, you know, getting stronger, getting quicker, uh, getting faster, uh, improving our endurance, all those good things. And then our athletic trainer, who’s, who’s working with [00:18:00] us to, to help keep them on the field. Um. You know, and, and helping them through any sort of injuries that they do go through and rehabilitation.

Um, and then we’ve got a nutritionist, uh, within the athletic department and mental health professionals as well that, that, uh, are available to them. 

Matt: Well, in terms of you as, as the head, man, how are you going to describe kind of your style of coaching, the style of play you’re looking to implement? 

Coach: So, you know, I would say I’m, I’m, I’m very detail orientated.

Um, and, uh, You know, I take a balanced approach to most things. Um, so that’s kind of how I approach a game as well. You know, we, you know, my biggest thing with my players is instructing them. Hey. You know, we have a plan. This is how we want to play what you also have to be adaptive to the situation.

Recognize what the opponent’s doing. Recognize the moments in the game, um, you know, whether it’s the score, whether it’s the time, whether, you know, no matter what’s kind of going on, you’ve got to make adjustments on the fly and make good decisions. Um, and so taking advantage of, of what the, the, uh, opponent is, is giving you.

Um, is is big, big for me. Um, so I’m looking for players that can think for themselves, can think on the fly, you know, take instruction, but then be able to make the necessary adjustments, uh, on the fly. Um, [00:19:30] so think critically, right? Um, but, uh, looking for, you know, us to press higher up the pitch when the ball back in good areas when we can.

But if we do get broken down, I expect everybody to recover, get our numbers behind the ball, and, and make it difficult, uh, for them to, to, to, to break us down any further, right? And then when we win the ball, uh, I always tell ’em, Hey, if you, if you can go within three to four passes and, and get a quality scoring opportunity from that.

Don’t hesitate. Let’s go for it. Right. You can catch the other team, uh, in that transition transition moment. Great. Uh, but if it’s not on, don’t force it. And let’s, let’s try to work the ball around, get our, our, our numbers forward, um, and, and, uh, and, and break them down from there. Um, you know, no cheap giveaways.

Matt: Yeah, no, never want that. Well, we’re, like I said, we’re talking here in March. So it’s the off season. Can you just give me a quick overview of what your kind of spring season is going to look like for the players? 

Coach: Yeah, so, um, we’re going to be having training sessions start up here in a few weeks. Um, actually, which is pretty exciting.

Um, weather’s starting to turn, get a little bit nicer. So I think everybody’s, uh, getting anxious to get out there. Um, so we’ll, we’ll have, uh, trainings, uh, three times a week. Um, you know, starting towards the tail end of, [00:21:00] of March and into April, um, throughout April. Um, so we’ll have training sessions. Um, and then we’ll have a couple of scrimmages in there as well.

Uh, an alumni game, which is always exciting to bring people back. Um, you know, get some familiar faces back on campus. And, um, you know, I know they always love love jumping out there and showing that they can still play. Right? Um, I know. I always enjoyed that. So, um, yeah, so that’s kind of the, the, the spring coming up here.

Um, like I said, in the next couple of weeks, and so, you know, kind of excited to get back to working with the players and kind of continuing what we had started to build, um, during the fall season. So, um, because those of you that aren’t aware, I took over the program in April, so coming up on a year now, um, and so being able to see the progress that this team made.

From the start of preseason to the end of the season was really exciting, uh, as well to know that we’ve got something to build upon. Um, and so kind of just continuing that momentum going into the spring season. Yeah, that’s great. 

Matt: Well, you’ve been super generous with your time. Don’t want to keep you too long, but I got one last question for you.

And that is, if you had one piece of advice, if you could boil it down to just one, what piece of advice about the overall college recruiting process would you want players, parents, families going through this process to know? 

Coach: Uh, don’t limit yourself. Um, explore your options, explore your opportunities. Um, don’t, [00:22:30] don’t say no until you’ve really looked into what.

The schools have to offer because you never know later down the line, um, what’s, what’s going to be what you really want, right? If you start this process, if you’re 1 of those players that start this, this process early, um, you know, and you’re looking into schools, even as early as a freshman or sophomore, your needs and wants can change.

And so if you’ve closed some doors already, um, you could find yourself in a position where you’re, you’re really kicking yourself because, uh, you had some options that you, you took away from yourself before, um, you really knew that you wanted it. Absolutely. 

Matt: As a, as a parent of a sophomore, I can, uh, I can attest to that.

Well, coach, really appreciate the time. Wish you the best of luck here, uh, in, in your, in your spring season, as well as the upcoming fall. And if you get to any recruiting events down here in Florida, give me a shout. All right. 

Coach: That sounds great. Thanks, Matt. Really appreciate it. Thanks, Dan.