University of Minnesota-Morris Women’s Soccer – Coach Emma Morris

In today’s episode, I speak with Coach Emma and Coach Colin from the Minnesota-Morris Women’s Program. We talk about how they recruit and their new ID Camp. Coach also shares about how the people are what make the school. Plus, we discuss her passionate coaching style. Learn more about University of Minnesota-Morris Women’s Soccer.

Matt: [00:00:00] Hi everybody. Welcome to Discover College Soccer. Today I am lucky enough to be joined by two coaches, a nice rare treat Here we’ve got the staff at the University of Minnesota Morris Women’s Soccer Program. Coach Emma. And Coach Colin, welcome. 

Coach: Thanks. Thanks for having us. 

Matt: Yeah, thank you. Yeah. And actually Coach Emma was one of my first podcast guests three years ago.

It’s crazy to think about that. Um, and you were at a different school, which funny enough is in the conference is Minnesota Morris, but we don’t have to worry about that. But we’ll find out, uh, how things have been going and threw me off. You know, your last name being Morris, I figured they had to hire you for the job.

It just only made sense, right? 

Coach: Yeah. 

Matt: Well. We’re talking here beginning of April, um, and you’ve been there a year now. So in terms of [00:01:00] the recruiting process, this is really kind of your first full cycle, kinda where, where does it stand right now? What’s that recruiting calendar look like here in April? Are you, are you done with 20 fives and only on 26?

Are you still looking for a few more, 20 fives? Kind of, what does that look like for you guys right now? 

Coach: Yeah. Uh, I mean, the main thing really right now is, uh, we, we have not finished our 20 fives, but we’re only looking for very, very specific individuals to, to join the roster at this point. So, um, you know, we’re, we’re actively looking for specific positions or specific characteristics and traits, leadership, uh, qualities, especially junior college.

Um, to see if anyone can come in and, and, and have an impact right away. Really help ’cause we are gonna be a very young roster this fall. So, you know, a little bit of, of that kinda leadership and maturity and, uh, experiences, I think would go a long way with, with us right now. So yeah, we, we’ve, we are not finished, but at the same time, we’re not necessarily, you know, kind of still really deep [00:02:00] into it either.

We’ve already moved on to conversations with 26 and 20. 

Matt: Okay. And with all the changes happening right now and the D one landscape, the just overall NCAA landscape, you know, it is. Has that changed the, the way you guys are, are going about your recruiting at all? Or, or is, is it just kind of business as usual at a D three level?

Coach: I’d say business as usual. Um, I, I do think we’re seeing, I. More, you know, 20 sixes be open to conversations already than maybe in the past. So I think maybe we’re starting a little bit earlier than, than kind of the, the typical landscape the last few years, uh, with that next class. But again, I mean, you know, that that’s just naturally going to happen with everything that, that’s just gone on.

Matt: Yeah. Well. In terms of 20 sixes, 20 sevens, even these 20 fives, I mean, you mentioned junior [00:03:00] some needing some, some experience, maybe some junior college paid, but, but what are some of the, where are some of the places you like to go to to watch players? What are some of the tournaments that are kind of must see TV for you?

Coach: Yeah, we’re, we’re very lucky where we’re at the, just about two and a half hours away, uh, is, is the National Sports Center, which is, uh, in Blaine, Minnesota. So, you know, there’s a ton of stuff that goes there and they do have a dome. So even in the wintertime, I think a lot of people get. A little bit shocked by how much recruiting in person we actually do over the wintertime.

’cause you think of Minnesota, you think of snow and ice. It’s like, well, nobody’s playing. You know? And it’s like, no, they are, they’re just playing indoors. Right. So, um, yeah, we do typically go to the Twin Cities a lot. Um. Outside of that, I mean, we’ll, we’ll make the odd trip to go and watch other ID camps at some division two schools that, uh, have invited us.

Uh, and then, you know, we’ll do some out-of-state recruiting as well. So, uh, this year I, I mean, I was in San Diego, it’s [00:04:00] Surf Cup in November. Uh, I was just in at Phoenix Cup, um, a few weeks back. And so, uh, actually have a really unique opportunity to go to Alaska at the beginning of June. Um, so that, that’s really exciting.

That’ll be a new one. Um, but yeah, moving forward, coach Colin and I have, have both been kind of sitting down and trying to figure out, okay, for the next cycle, you know, what are, what are we going to, especially two of us now. Um, you know, it’s a little easier for me to, to kind of figure it out for myself, but now we’ve got two and, um, you know, so it’s kind of okay.

Who’s. Doing what? Where are we going? How do we stay within the budget? Right? Um, but still get to, to what we, what we need to see. 

Matt: Yeah. No, that makes sense. Well, you mentioned working other ID camps. Are you guys doing your own ID camps, uh, there as well, or not quite yet, or what’s your plan there? 

Coach: Yeah, we are actually, uh, hosting our, our first ever one as a, as a staff.

This, this summer, um, July 26th, 27th. It’s gonna be an overnight camp, uh, which I’ve actually never hosted an overnight camp, uh, myself. I know I, [00:05:00] I did day camps, uh, in the past, but this is a, a new one for us, you know, just with our location being a little bit further out in, um, kind of that, that. You know, kind.

The middle of nowhere, Minnesota in a sense, right. Northwest Minnesota. Um, you know, we wanna make sure that it’s, uh, worth the drive, worth the trip and not putting too much on individuals, uh, to be driving both ways, uh, same day. Right. And, and, and. Being up super early and getting back super late, we, we, we wanna put health and safety in those kind of things first and give them a, a really good experience.

So, um, you know, the decision was made to do an overnight and, uh, we’re gonna start at noon on the 26th and then finish at noon on the 27th, which gives people that, uh, that travel time. And, uh, we do also have. A couple of people that are kind of outside of the Midwest signed up already and a few more that are, are thinking about it as well.

So really excited. I think we’ve got a good group coming in and, um, yeah, it’ll be, [00:06:00] it’ll be really good. And, uh, yeah, no, with it being our first one as well, hopefully we, we set the, the, the bar and, you know, it just keeps going up from there. 

Matt: Okay, awesome. Well, whether it’s at an ID camp or surf cup or wherever it is, kind of what makes up the hierarchy of things that you’re looking for in a player, both on the field and off.

Coach: Yeah, obviously off the field is super important, right? So with us being a division three school with no athletic money, you know, that academic side is so important. Um, just making sure, first and foremost, is it a good academic fit in terms of we have the major or a couple of majors that they’re interested in.

Um, but then also do they have the, the grades and the, the backing right behind them. To hopefully get some substantial academic scholarship support. So, um, those are really important. And then of course, you know, the character pieces, right? Um, you know, obviously we’re looking more than they would even probably think, you know, even just as far as, you know, when we show up at, you know, a [00:07:00] tournament or a game, um.

You know, we see them in the parking lot, how are they interacting with people? That kind of stuff. Right. So there’s definitely a lot of different qualities and, and c character traits that we’re looking for. Um, you know, and then on top of that, of course, I mean, on the pitch we’re, um, c Colin and I actually had a sit down conversation.

What are, what are we looking for? And I think something that. Clear about is, is how important the technical part of the game is. Um, especially because we’re a, a grass home field. Uh, so, you know, I mean, half our games, if not slightly more, uh, are on grass. And obviously playing on grass versus playing on turf is just so, so different.

Um, and you just have to be, uh, that little bit, you know, better on the ball. And, uh, so that’s definitely a, a high one for us as well on the list. And then soccer IQ too. I mean, you just. To me, I think something that separates teams in, in, in Division III is that soccer IQ aspect. And, um, obviously we’re there as coaches to try [00:08:00] and help and guide and, uh, coach, but at the same time they’ve gotta be, uh, able to, to figure things out when things approach them on the pitch and, and not have coach having to kind of play FIFA a little bit.

Right. So, um, yeah, tho those I think are, are very high for, for me. Uh, coach Collin, did you wanna add to that at all? 

Coach (2): Yeah. Yeah. I, I think 100%, you know, we, we need to bring in players who know the game and, and have been studying the game their, their entire time they’ve been playing, right? Not just going out there to have a fun time and kick the ball around and get some exercise, but, you know, are, are full students of the game.

Um, and I, I think the athletes that come in, especially at the division three level, that have that mindset are normally very successful. 

Matt: Awesome. All right. Well, let’s shift gears here a little bit, talk a little bit more about the school. Um, coach you, it, it obviously had something, uh, special to it that drew you [00:09:00] over from, from your previous institution.

So you’ve been there a year now, kind what drew you to the job? What have you found is to be some awesome things about the school? Maybe some things we wouldn’t even know about going through the website. 

Coach: Yeah, sure. Um, well, so we’re a small division three school of about a thousand. Um, so slightly bigger than the, the, the previous in institution.

Um, also a state school. So that’s a, a pretty unique one. We’re actually the, the only division three state school in the state of Minnesota. Uh, so very, very unique in terms of what we can offer, um, you know, just the opportunities there. We even have a design your own major option. Um, you know, just things like that that you wouldn’t.

Necessarily get a, a small private school. Right. Um, and then to me, one of the biggest things is just the doors that open as being part of the University of Minnesota system. Um, you know, obviously we have, uh, really good access to the Twin Cities campus and the other, other three campuses as well. Um, you know, when it comes to classes, online classes, things like that.

Um, and even as far as, you know, study abroad, for example. So if [00:10:00] let’s just say that we, we have a, a student that that really wants to. Go to Germany, and let’s just say that we don’t offer a study abroad to Germany. We have England and France. Um, but let’s just say that, that the University of Minnesota Crookston has a study abroad trip to Germany.

Well then they can actually go with them. So there, there’s some really awesome things that that come with being a part of the University of Minnesota system. Um. And then I think that the other piece, just being that, you know, when they, when they cross the stage there, their degree literally says, university of Minnesota doesn’t say which campus.

So, you know, they’re, they’re getting this really big name behind them. Um, you know, but still getting that personal family feel, um, you know, tight knit. Atmosphere on campus. Um, so yeah, I personally love small, small schools. I’ve coached at small schools. That’s all, all I’ve done just ’cause it fits me and my personality and what I like.

Um, you know, being 4,000 miles away from home and having no family over here, right? Like, I, I need that to be a part of, of my core, you know, when I’m on [00:11:00] campus and people that I’m around. So, um, that’s been been awesome and that was a big draw for me, uh, is just the fact that, I mean, my, my boss here, Matt, Matt is RAD, um, just.

Such an awesome person. Um, not only, you know, is he gonna hold you accountable and, and, and want the best for you in terms of your program and, and, and obviously hold you accountable in your job. Um, but he is also somebody that’s gonna put an arm around you and, and help you and, and support you or just listen, right?

So. Um, having that support system is huge. Uh, and then of, of course having a full-time assistant coaching Colin as well. Um, you know, this is my first time actually as a head coach, having a full-time assistant coach by my side. So I’m really excited about what he’s gonna do for our program and obviously also as a, a team as well and, and what we’re gonna be able to do moving forward.

Um, and then lastly, um, I will also say, yeah, again, the people here, uh, we’re a big part and then. You know, being that I was in the umac as a, a head coach for five years [00:12:00] beforehand, um, just my knowledge of this conference and what you can do in this conference and, um, what I believed that I could bring to this program, you know, I really felt like I could help, you know, move things, uh, in the right direction and, um.

Get us back to, to winning a conference tournament, which, which we’ve done in the last time we did that was 2016. So, you know, we’re coming up on 10 years since we’ve done that. And so, you know, just that goal and ambition to get us back there is, is high. 

Matt: So, Colin, you, you’ve only been there a month or two now, so kind of what, what was it about the school that that really drew you in?

Coach (2): Yeah, yeah. So, like you just said, I’ve been been here about a month and a half. Um, so. The, the big thing with the school was the academic opportunities that we can offer. Um, we, you know, we, we have that small community feel, um, that a lot of schools that we kind of compete with for recruits have, but we also have the resources of a bigger nationally known, maybe even globally known [00:13:00] university.

Right. So, uh, it, it’s a situation that it’s very. Easy to, you know, help get kids into this, into, uh, into Minnesota Morrison and help them be successful after they graduate. Um, so it’s, that was definitely a big draw. And, and I think, you know, during my interview process when, when, uh, Emma, Emma and, uh, Matt, our, our, uh, ad called me, I don’t even think I let ’em get off the phone when they offered me the job.

So I, I think it was before I even got the sentence out, I had accepted it, right. So. Um, it’s a very exciting university to be a part of. And, and the direction of the program right now is, is, uh, you know, it’s trending upwards. Uh, it’s not, we’re not in a stagnant area. We’re, we’re not in a situation where, okay, we need to kind of bottom out and then rebuild.

We’re, we’re on the way up and, uh, I’m, I’m very excited about the future. I’m, I’m kind of, you know, itching. It’s, it’s April and I can’t wait for, uh, August, September, October to come along. But, uh, yeah, I’m very excited about the direction of our program. 

Matt: Awesome. [00:14:00] Well, let’s talk about the season. Let’s rewind to that heart of the conference season.

Walk me through, uh, a day in or a week in the life, right? Like when are classes, math, uh, games, practices, all that stuff. 

Coach: Yeah. And, and again, you know, to be really honest, this, this is changing too. You know, obviously, you know, we come in and, and, and together we’re, we’re trying to implement and do things to, to help us improve and, uh, help make it a, a better experience for our student athletes as well.

And, um, so, you know, this fall versus next fall would be, be, be two very different things. Um, so I’ll give you kind of an idea of what we’re doing moving forward. So, um. We typically, because we are on grass, uh, we all have our own grass field, uh, on the women’s side, and then the men’s have their own practice field as well.

Um, and then on top of that, uh, we have a game field together. So we’re very, very lucky with our facilities. Really awesome. Uh, field, I, I [00:15:00] would go as far as saying, I think one of, you know, I, I, I believe that our grass field is one of the best D three grass fields, um, in my opinion. Um. But, uh, but yeah, no, when it comes to the day in the life, so.

Typically they’re gonna be up at, you know, six, 7:00 AM if we have lift, uh, which will be twice a week, two mornings a week. Um, then they’ll be obviously going to, to breakfast, getting some food, shower, that kind of stuff. Um, and then they’ll head to class. Usually classes start around eight or 9:00 AM. Um, those will go all the way to, you know, about three-ish.

Um, there are some labs that go a little later, but typically three is kind of the latest that our players would, would try and get a, uh, a class on the schedule. Um, because we then will practice typically sometime around 4, 4 30, uh, to about 6 15, 6 30 ish. Um, so that’s kind of, you know, kind of the typical practice time.

And then they’ll obviously, you know, shower, get [00:16:00] changed, go, uh, go get dinner. Uh, and then if it’s a study hall night, we’ll have study hall. Um, and if it’s not, then obviously they’ll, they’ll be free for the night to do. Whatever they please. Uh, mostly studying of course and completing assignments. Um, so yeah.

And then, you know, obviously Saturday, Sunday looks a little different just because it’s the weekend. Um, yeah. Am I missing anything there, Colin? I, I’m not sure. 

Coach (2): No, no, that was spot on. 

Coach: Yeah, we definitely, obviously want ’em to eat breakfast and, and have lunch as well, so, um, but yeah, that, that’s kind of the typical, the typical week.

Matt: Okay. Well, let’s talk a little bit more, uh, uh, about the team. I know you mentioned you, you have a full-time assistant. You mentioned the athletic director, but, uh, you know, who else at the school kind of fills out that non-player roster component and, and what is their role at the, with the team, 

Coach: non-player wise?

Uh, we have a team manager, Lily. Uh, so Lily’s a, a freshman this year and. We hope to, to have [00:17:00] her for all of her four years. Uh, she’s great. She just helps out, um, you know, in, in whatever capacity that she possibly can. Uh, this past fall we also had Sadie Schmitz. She was also, uh, a team manager, but she’s actually graduating.

So she’s obviously, um, focused on, on kind of the, the, the last few months of, on last month now, uh, of her, her, uh, collegiate experience. So, um. You know, outside of that, I mean, I, I don’t know if you’ve seen a, a roster at all, but, uh, my dog’s on there, so, um, yeah. So we both actually have a, a dog and, um, you know, we, I, I try to bring my dog every now and then into the office and every now and then to practice.

Um, I just feel like, you know, we, we want this family atmosphere and this, this, this culture. Right? And, um. One of the things in particular that I’ve been trying to do is, uh, a lot of our players, most of our players really love dogs and miss their own dogs, and so I’m trying to kind of give them opportunities to, to kind of fill that void a little bit there.

Um, [00:18:00] so yeah, and they, they, they love him. And then, uh, coach Colin brought his dog to practice the, the other week as well, and so they, they’ve met Coach Collins dog as well and, uh, love her and. Luckily our dogs also love each other, so we’re, we’re a very dog friendly campus. Uh, we do have a, a therapy dog on campus called, uh, Archie as well.

So we’re, we’re a very, a very dog friendly 

Matt: campus. Wow. I had to ask that question that way just to make sure we got that in there. But, uh, but in terms of the player side of the roster, is the, is there a roster size that, that you’re aiming to hit, that you find is ideal? 

Coach: Yeah, we, we’ve had a lot of discussions recently about that.

Um, you know, we are hoping, uh, here in the next couple of years to expand our roster, um, just to be able to provide a better student athlete experience in general. Um, at the moment we travel with our men’s team, um, and obviously we’re limited for, for seats on the bus. Um, you know, which doesn’t mean [00:19:00] leaving players behind, uh.

Most of the time, obviously that’s gonna be injured players, but every now and then there, there, there might be some difficult conversations there. Um, in the future we’re hoping to expand our roster and so are the men’s program so that we both have a bus each, um, that way we can take everybody and everyone gets that, that experience.

Right. Um, you know, so we’re hoping to be somewhere between 30 and 40, uh, in the next couple of years. So, and if we are, then obviously we’ll, we’ll run a, a JV program as well. So, yeah. 

Matt: Okay. All right. Well, in terms of your coaching style, tell us about that. What do you, what are you looking to, how, how do you like to coach?

How, what kind of style of play you like to, to play there? What, what are players in for? I. 

Coach: Yeah. Um, in terms of style of play, you know, the, the way I try to explain it is possession of go direct. Um, we’re a bit of both, you know, ultimately we wanna get the ball on the ground, move it about fast and effectively, and, [00:20:00] um, you know, obviously keep the ball moving.

Um, open up gaps. And then obviously then we go direct. So. That’s kind of the way that I like to play. And again, that’s one of the reasons that we’re looking for technical players with good soccer iq because they fit typically into that, that mold. Right. So, um, in terms of me, uh, you know, I, I’m English, so I’m very passionate.

Um, you know, I, I am a bit of a yeller. Um, but, uh, but not in a bad way. Uh, you know, most of the time it’s just trying to either project my voice ’cause I cannot project my voice. I’ve already told, told Colin that, uh, you know, his, his job is to, to try and get that message out there ’cause I will not get the message out there.

Um, so yeah, definitely, uh, you know, more instruction based and then, and then more of the kinda, you know, obviously there’s gonna be times when I’ll. Uh, give them a little bit of a kick, right? Um, you know, if, if, for example, one of my hot buttons is, is the back line not pushing up quickly, [00:21:00] um, you know, if they’re not doing that, obviously I’m gonna get on ’em a little bit.

But, um, at the same time, most of the time it’s gonna be mo more motivational positive stuff. So, um, yeah, whe whether the players say the same thing, I don’t know, but, uh, that, that’s what I, I believe so. And then Coach Colin would do, what would you say for that one, for you? 

Coach (2): Yeah. Yeah. I think we balance each other out well.

Um, you know, obviously Emma mentioned she, she’s English and she’s got that bit of English passion, so shall we say. Right. And I’m a little bit more lighthearted. Uh, I, I like to, I like to have a good time and I think I’m funny. I, I think most of the girls think I’m very, not funny, but, uh. I like to, you know, make jokes and, and keep everything light.

Uh, especially, you know, before we really get into it. Obviously, once we get into things that changes a little bit. Once, once there needs to be a little bit of yelling and, and things like that to keep practices or games going well for us, then, then that’ll change. Uh, but I, I think for me, I’m a, I’m a little more lighthearted and I think Emma and I balance each other out [00:22:00] very, very well.

Coach: And, and that was definitely something in the search process that, that, that we really wanted as well. Right. Is is that balance. So very, very lucky that Coach Collins said yes. And, and that we’re here together because I think as a team we’re gonna be, we’re gonna be really good. 

Matt: All right. Well, like I say, we’re talking in April, so it’s the off season, non-traditional season, spring season, whatever anybody wants to call it.

What does that look like for you guys? 

Coach: Yeah, we, so we set out this spring typ typically in Minnesota. We don’t try to go out until after spring break. Um, it just, it’s just a lit, a lot easier for scheduling and a lot less hopefully, uh, weather issues and, and things. Uh, I say that as we’ve got a load of snow outside, but there you go.

That, that’s just Minnesota in the spring. So, um, but yeah, we typically go out after spring break, so. You know, we have 24 practices in one day competition use, uh, how we use those is kind of up to us. There are some [00:23:00] limitations, but for the most part, I’m a big advocate to go three times a week, um, you know, for more weeks, right?

So that way I. It’s a little bit easier on the, the players to, to keep the academic side and to have that social life and all those other things that they, they do as well. Um, you know, and, and not kind of go six times a week for, for very few weeks. Right. So, um, that’s kind of the way I like to do things.

And then on top of that, they are still in the weight room themselves as a group, you know, a couple of times a week. So we did. Take that down from three times a week to two. Um, you know, so they’re, they’re in the weight room a couple of times a week, and then they’re, you know, we are doing a leadership session once a week as well with them.

Um, and then of course, study study halls all year long. So that’s, that’s once a week, all year long. Um, although we are gonna potentially discuss about changing that up in the future, we’ll see. But. 

Matt: Okay. Well, you guys have given us a bunch of information. Don’t wanna keep you too [00:24:00] long here. But, uh, do wanna, I’m gonna ask each of you one last question, same question, but, uh, I wanna hear from both of you.

If you had one piece of advice to give to, uh, anybody going through this college soccer recruiting process, what would that be? 

Coach: That is a great question. Uh, there’s, there’s so many things that come to mind. I, I think. Put yourself out there. Um, to me, I, you know, we, we find players in such different ways.

You know, not everyone’s process is very different. Um, so yeah, put yourself out there. Email coaches, contact them as much as you can, let them know where you’re gonna be. Uh, communication is so key. Uh, and then again, like don’t compare. Everyone’s process is a little bit different. Um. You know, just because this person has already committed doesn’t mean that you’re any less because you haven’t yet, right?

Like, take your time, figure out the right fit, [00:25:00] uh, and go from there. You know, don’t rush it. Take your time. Um, and don’t compare to others. 

Coach (2): Yeah. Yeah. Not, I think for me to, not 100% echo what Emma just said, but at least her, her first bit of advice there. Uh, don’t, don’t ever be shy, right? Come up, talk to coaches, uh, send us emails.

We, we love hearing from people. We love talking to people. Um, and if we’re, if we’re on the phone with you, we, we want to talk to you, right? We don’t, don’t be too nervous. Just be excited. Be yourself and, uh. We’re, we’re gonna be in the same boat and wanting to have a good conversation with you. So 

Matt: yeah.

Awesome. Well thanks for jumping on both of you and wish you nothing but the best of luck as you wrap up your class of 25 and get ready for that fall 25 season and then hopefully you can bring them back to to conference tournament. Glory. Awesome. 

Coach: Thank you so much for having us. We appreciate it. 

Matt: Yeah, thank you.

Thank you. [00:26:00] Bye.