Canisius College Women’s Soccer – Coach Colin Morrow
On today’s episode, I speak with Coach Colin from the Canisius Women’s Program in New York. We talk about how they do official visits. He describes their small D1, family atmosphere. Lastly, we discuss their formations and how they like to play. Learn more about Canisius College Women’s Soccer.
Matt: [00:00:00] Hi everybody. Welcome to Discover College Soccer. Today I’m lucky enough to be joined by Coach Colin Morrow from Canisius up in Buffalo. Welcome coach. Thank you for having me, Matt. Yeah, thanks for being here. Uh, really appreciate the time. Let’s, uh, let’s kick off things by talking, recruiting. It’s the end of March here where we’re talking and, uh, you know, showcase season at its finest.
So, have you guys wrapped up your 23 class? Are you, are you looking mostly at 20 fours? What’s your kind of calendar? Kind of usually look like. Yeah.
Coach: So right now we we’re pretty much just wrapping up the 20 threes. Um, it was a bit of a bigger class this year. Uh, we had 10 incomers. Uh, so now a lot of our focus is on 20 fours, which is a bit of a smaller class.
So we can take our time a little bit and make sure we’re finding the right fit. Um, so yeah, our main focus right now is our 2020 fours, um, as we’re kind of coming into that spring summer season. Okay.
Matt: Now, Are there events that are kind of the must hit list, uh, that you go to every year? Where, where are the places you like to go to see players?
Coach: Yeah, I mean obviously the hotbeds are, are the ECNL events. Um, you know, you do see a lot of, of good quality there. Um, but we have tend to look at different events, you know, um, our head coach Ryan was actually in England in December. Um, you know, I know we’re looking at a couple of different events, uh, kind of coming up in the spring and summer, um, you know, one or two GA events.
But the ECNL events are always tend to be [00:01:30] good. Um, you know, there’s one up in New Jersey in May. Uh, which we’re gonna be hitting up. And, um, yeah, like I said, you know, there’s, we like to, we like to try and dip into, you know, different leagues and different, um, events just to make sure we’re not missing anything.
Matt: Now, when you go to an event, is it generally to see players that have already reached out to you that you’re already familiar with, or are you going more, uh, Exploratory or, or if you’re at an event, kind of what’s the ratio? What’s that look like?
Coach: It, it, it really depends. Obviously, as I said, you know, we, we did have 10 incomes this year, so, um, you know, a lot of emphasis was on us trying to, you know, go to these events and see if we could.
You know, find a play that we may have missed in previous years. But, you know, with us having a smaller class, um, you know, we do tend to go and see the players that hit us off first and make sure, um, you know, obviously cuz there is an interest there, we wanna make sure is there a good fit. Um, you know, obviously, uh, We have, we have different, um, position needs and whatnot.
Um, so it just pretty much depends. But what I would say, if there is an interest from a player, we’ll definitely go and check them out. Um, and then from there, it just depends, you know, we’ll, we’ll tend to go and see different games that we feel that, you know, could, could possess and players that may have been interested kius as well.
Okay.
Matt: What about camps? Any, do you guys do your own, does your staff work other people’s camps? How do they fit into the process?
Coach: Yeah, so listen, camps for those are very important. Um, I just [00:03:00] feel you get to see the Play up close, not just, uh, with soccer ability, but as a person, you know, um, you get to see campus.
Um, so I’d say the camps for us are very, very important just because, you know, we get to see the players in so many different aspects and, you know, it helps us, um, you know, gauge and helps us. Get a better look at a player compared to when you tend up at a field and watching a player play for 90 minutes or whatnot.
Um, I’d say camps are so important and also they get to see a little bit of buffalo. They get to see the school as itself and, um, you know, for them as a player’s perspective, they get to see it. Is this a good fit for me for those as a coaching staff, it’s, it’s good for us to see a player share our opinions.
You know, sometimes at these events, you know, you have one coach at the sideline and it’s my opinion. Passed on to our head coach and whatnot. So I would say the camps just, they’re just unique and different, um, just because we get a better feel for the player than the player gets a better feel for the school.
Matt: Sure. Well, one question I get is usually pertaining to more of the division one s is about official visits. Do you guys provide, uh, you know what, I guess what’s your budget like for official visits? Do you have many kids per season, per recruiting class that come on official visits?
Coach: Yeah, we do, we do, uh, offer official visits.
So, you know, this past class we, we did have a couple. Um, so we do have the butcher for official visits. Yeah. Um, obviously would this being my first year kind of kius, you know, um, I know Ryan in the past has, has done [00:04:30] some from previous years, obviously with the freshman this year when, when speaking with them and whatnot, uh, about their experience and getting recruited, um, from the previous coaching staff.
Before me, but yeah, we do have official visits, um, to come in. We did have a couple this year where, you know, for them it’s, it just gives them a better, you know, better feel of, of, of the city and, you know, the social aspects. Um, obviously get a better understanding of, you know, the academic piece as well to spending more time at the school they’re doing overnight with, with, with our team and whatnot.
So, um, I think, you know, if, if. That’s a possibility. It’s, it’s important cuz you just get it such a better, you know, with the standard of the school, the coaching staff, you know, your, you know, your future teammates and whatnot. Uh, cause you know, you do spend a great deal with, with, with your teammates. So I think that’s important as well.
If, if that’s a possibility for a, a recruit. Yeah.
Matt: Well, you mentioned that the, the head coach was gonna be over in England. What, what is your, or what, what’s the team’s philosophy, I guess, recruiting wise when it comes to internationals as well as as the transfer portal? Has that come into to play on? Yeah,
Coach: I mean, yeah, the transfer portal.
You know, we haven’t really, we haven’t really put a lot of emphasis on it. You know, we did have a little skim through to see if there could be a good fit. But for those, um, you know, one year’s always tough to kind of come in. Obviously it’s great if, if you can make something work, but, you know, we, our philosophy is we, we like to identify, recruit, and, you know, if we put our, um, you know, we put our effort in, And our resources into this player.
We wanna make sure [00:06:00] that, um, you know, we want to bring the player in and, and we want to try and develop that player for four years and whatnot. And with the transfer pool’s a little bit different, but, uh, touching on the international piece, like you said, you know, we feel that there is, uh, There’s a, there’s a marker for us there to recruit.
Obviously with us both be in English and, you know, having a European style of coaching play and whatnot, we feel, you know, it just adds a lot of different culture to the team and whatnot. Um, so I think that’s a market that we definitely look to dip into and see if we can find the right fit. Okay.
Matt: Well, let’s talk a little bit more about the, the school.
Itself cuz I, you know, I’m sure there’s some people that, uh, aren’t familiar with, with Kius. Uh, so I know you haven’t been there that long, but, but in your short time there, what have you found to be some of the awesome things about the school that maybe folks wouldn’t find just by going through the website?
Coach: Yeah, I, I’ve lived in Buffalo for six years now, and obviously living in Buffalo, um, I, I knew what Kius, um, you know, where it was located. I knew about the school and whatnot, but actually being involved in the school, Um, it’s just such a tight knit school. It really is. Um, you know, a lot of different student athletes come and support different, um, different programs and whatnot.
You know, obviously you’ve got men’s soccer. We, we’ve just recently went out and watched our men’s hockey lift, um, you know, their conference championship recently, a couple weeks ago. Um, you know, we have men’s basketball, women’s basketball, um, you know, I know, you know, student athletes on face name, which, you know, I, I couldn’t imagine at different schools.
You would know that. You know, and that’s the benefit of, of being a little bit of a smaller than [00:07:30] mid-size schoolers. Um, it, it feels like a family. I know it’s a little bit cliche to say, but we, we, you know, I know people by first name as I mentioned. You know, we, we say hello in the corridor doors. You know, it’s ev, everything’s pretty.
Pretty close, uh, close together. Um, you know, the school, as I said, it’s, it’s walking distance, you know, to different parts of campus wherever you’re studying. Um, so I’d say, you know, it’s definitely a more of a family feel, um, in, in terms of the school. Yeah.
Matt: Okay. Well, you know, there’s two parts to a student athlete, right?
So in terms of the student side of things, how does student athletes there team your, your team members? Really balance the demands of both the academic side of things as well as the soccer side of things. So what kind of support systems are there to help them with that?
Coach: Yeah. Um, you know, we, we actually train in the morning and it’s really good, I feel for, you know, student athlete athletes to get up in the morning, you know, show some discipline, getting up early and, and getting a good workout.
And I think you start your day right. You know, get getting a work workout in the morning. Um, so we, we train, we tend to train in the mornings with, it doesn’t conflict with classes. Um, so obviously it kind of starts the day, right? And then they kind of go on about the day. Um, you know, obviously when we are in season, it’s a little difficult, but the, the benefits of being in a smaller, uh, size of school, we, we have relationships with their professors.
You know, it’s, you know, they are smaller classes and whatnot and, uh, Like I said, we have good relationship right across the school with, you know, if we need to get out early to get on a bus [00:09:00] ride and travel to New York City for, for the math game, or if we are traveling to different parts of, you know, the east coast.
We, we have a good relationship with, um, with good professors and making sure that we can, uh, we can, you know, get the, get the student athletes out on time and, and accordingly. Yeah. Okay.
Matt: Well, in terms of. You know, you mentioned training in the morning. Mm-hmm. What, what would a normal week look like during the season in terms of training, classes, meals, the, yeah, travel, all that kind of stuff.
Coach: Yep. So obviously we start August 1st, which is pre-season. Um, so, you know, school’s not in session right then, so, um, but when we are in session, obviously, like, as I said, we on a Monday, we’ll, we’ll, we’ll train in the morning, um, you know, Our student athletes will go about their class, uh, in, in, in the day Tuesday, depending if we are home or way on a Wednesday.
We’ll, we’ll tend to do a bit of a walkthrough preparation. We’ll, we’ll, I’ll do scouting analysis on, uh, our opponents. So we’ll speak a little bit about, uh, The opponents and players to watch out for and and whatnot. And then if we are the way, we’ll, we’ll tend to leave around one, 2:00 PM And so then, you know, we do have a maybe a five, six hour ride to a Quinnipiac, to a ride and on whatnot across the East coast.
We’ll tend to get there at a decent hour at night, maybe like 8, 8 30. We’ll try and get a stop in for some food along the way. Um, and then Wednesday we’ll tend to do a, a lunchtime kickoff. Um, after the game we’ll tend to travel home and, [00:10:30] and then we’ll tend, you know, tend to get home at a decent hour and, and do some, uh, on a Thursday we’ll tend to do recovery.
Um, so we’ll, we’ll bring the ladies in, we’ll, we’ll do some recovery work for the players that maybe didn’t get as much minutes. We’ll, we’ll, we’ll, we’ll run a session for them as well. Um, so you know, the benefit of obviously having different coaches, we can, we can run that. So sometimes I’ll run a recovery session.
Well, coach Ryan will, will go out and work with some of the girls and make sure they’re getting, um, the, the high output that they need to stay fit and ready for the season. And then again Friday. You know, it depends if we’re home and a away. Let’s say we’re at home, we, we’ll tend to do a session in the morning.
Um, again, not long after, we’ll, we’ll do like a little bit of a, a team preparation. Saturday mornings, we’ll, we’ll again, do more of a scout analysis. We’ll speak a little bit about, um, our opponents. Um, and yeah, that’s pretty much our week goes. Some days we get them off. Um, so a lot in, in season, a lot of it’s about preparation, work, recoveries that, that, you know, the following day, playing two times a week is, is a bit of a grind.
And especially with it being in Buffalo, we, we do have to travel unfortunately along with Niagara. Um, it’s just the way the Mac works and, you know, we, uh, we just try and put our student athletes in the best possible situation they can be and, okay.
Matt: Well, let’s talk about the team a little bit more. I know you mentioned you got a bigger recruiting class coming in this year, but is there a roster size.
That, that you guys are trying to hit, that you guys find is ideal?
Coach: Yeah, so, uh, this past season we actually had 24, um, I think like the ideal number’s, like 26, 27, um, [00:12:00] from what I understand. But we did have a little bit of a smaller size this year, so we’re looking to bring in 26 this year. Um, so it is gonna be a little bit bigger, but, um, you know, the benefits with us, you know, this past year, um, all of our student athletes traveled.
They all, they all change the game day. Um, every one of our players played in, uh, a conference game. Um, Along the season. So the good thing is we, we we’re not afraid to give players chances or opportunities, uh, to try and prove themselves on the pitch. You know, I think that was one of the, the benefits of us last year is that we, we did give all our players an opportunity, uh, within, within conference play, um, You know, like I said, we, we we’re big believers in, um, you know, if you’re coming in, working hard, looking to, to get better each day.
Um, you know, our team culture this year, um, from what I understand was really good compared to other years. Um, obviously I can only speak from this year. So the, the important thing for those, obviously with, with oncoming incoming players this year is, is to try and maintain that and increase it where we can.
Um, and just making sure that, you know, one, everyone’s on the same page. We wanna make sure players are pushing each other. Um, it’s not, nothing’s given. Um, even to our seniors and our juniors, we make sure that, you know, you know, we, we do have, you know, freshmen coming in, looking to, looking into, you know, play and whatnot.
So the, for the juniors and the seniors, it’s important that, you know, the maintaining a high level and setting a standard for the, for the incoming players, and it just really pushes everyone to be a better, a better soccer player in the field. Okay. [00:13:30]
Matt: Well you mentioned yourself and the head coach. H what does the rest of the staff look like?
How big is the staff and what are, are there support staff in the athletic department that helped the team as well?
Coach: Yeah, so we obviously Ryan’s our head coach. Uh, I’m the first assistant coach and then we have uh, second assistant coach, which is ka, and we have a Goalkeeping coach Marco. Um, we have a strength and condition coach who doesn’t travels with us, but he works with the ladies in, in the, uh, in the weight room.
Um, obviously we have a sport nutrition issue we work through as well throughout the season, uh, to make sure, you know, we’re maintaining some good nutrition. Um, we have a sport therapist who works with some of the girls as well. Um, again, that’s more on a. Need basis. But we, we do tend to check in with student athletes every two weeks or a month.
Um, obviously in season it’s a little difficult, but in the spring season right now, I know some of the girls have been utilizing, um, you know, these, these staff more accordingly and whatnot. But, um, yeah, that pretty much makes up, you know, the support staff for us. Um, And we also, we have a full-time trainer who travels with us as well, and works with, uh, works with the student athletes.
Matt: Okay. What, besides, um, the, the, the normal things that everybody’s gonna say, but how would you guys describe kind of the staff style of coaching and the team style of play?
Coach: Yeah. Um, you know, I’ve tried a lot of different formations in my time. You know, I, I, right now I think we have a really good fit, uh, for players in, in a 4 33.[00:15:00]
Um, it’s. You know, what we recruit for. Um, it’s what we identify players for. You know, we, we do like that formation. I know obviously there’s different formations which are getting a little bit more popular now. 3, 4, 3, 3, 5, 2, 3, 6, 1. Um, you know, the 4 42 is, is tend to be gone right now, you know? Um, so I think the way the game, the modern game’s going is.
You know, we, we identify players and I think players have also been developed in these formations, in the club philosophies. Um, so, you know, you do have your win your, you know, your center forwards, which maybe only be one. You have the false nan, you have so many different ones. But going back to our style of play, I’d say, you know, we do tend to, you know, we like to build through the thirds when possible.
And we’re not afraid to go long if, if, you know, if we don’t like to overplay, let’s say. Um, but it, it also depends on, Different opposition as well. I’m, I’m a big believer in, in, you know, identifying opposition and, you know, if the, if they are a team that, um, you know, physically strong or, you know, they are heavily technical, will, will tend, won’t be afraid to press, um, and try and, you know, push out some mistakes there if possible, or, You know, we are going up against more of a physical side.
We’re not afraid to maybe, you know, keep it out the center and maybe play down the sides with, with combinations and whatnot. Um, so it just kind of depends. But our standard is 4 33. But in terms of different styles, like I said, we do like to play through the thirds ball. We’re not afraid to go long and, and look to play, um, our, our center forward and of wings as well.
Okay.
Matt: Do you [00:16:30] guys use any sort of, uh, technology in either training or games, whether that’s film, gps, any, anything like that?
Coach: Yeah, so we, we film all our practices on Vale. Um, so the good thing is we, we give all our student athletes Ave account so they can go in and have a look at practices. Um, it’s not mandatory, it’s just something if you want to come in and look.
Um, sometimes, uh, you know, we work on a, a, a Pacific, uh, Pacific topic. You know, I’ll tend to. Re-watch it for self-reflection with, with Coach Ryan is anything that we’ve seen or we like to, you know, highlight to the team we we’ll pull from and whatnot. Um, in terms of games, we we’re lucky enough to have this, uh, this tool called Instart.
It’s, it’s an amazing tool, which, I dunno if you’re familiar with it. Mm-hmm. It just breaks down so many different components of the game. Um, and each one of our student athletes have an in-stat account as well, so that’s one. One of the tools that I, that I tend to use a lot, it’s just such an amazing resource.
Um, cause like I said, it breaks down so many different things and it’s good for scouting report. It’s good for, like I said, making our players better, um, in certain levels of the game. So, uh, they, they’re the two main tools that we tend to use. Um, I would say so, yeah, we don’t have any test trackers, anything like that, but we do, we do tend to use like the, like I said, the VE and the INTA account.
Matt: Okay. Well, we’re, we’re, we’re talking to Springs. It’s the off season. So can you just gimme a brief insight into what your typical off season looks like?
Coach: Yeah. So, um, you know, we, we give, we give, we had a bit [00:18:00] of a hectic season just, uh, this past season, you know, um, so we, we give the girls, uh, some time off at, at the end of November, right through December.
We got started back up in the middle of John. Um, we were back training, uh, You know, getting the girls moving again. And so our schedule right now is, is Monday we, we train in the mornings, uh, Tuesday lift. Wednesday we train Thursday lift, Friday we train, and then some Saturdays we, we, we do lift or you know, depending on how we feel the output being in the week, we will sometimes give them the weekends off.
Okay.
Matt: Yeah. Well, we’ve talked about a lot of different things, but I’m gonna leave you with one question, and that is, if there was one thing. Uh, that you could communicate to either parents or players that are going through this college recruiting process, uh, that you hope that they would, they would know going in and, and any sort of golden nugget of information, piece of advice, what would that be?
Coach: Um, are you talking more in terms of like recruiting or are you talking about someone coming into like a freshman class? During the recruiting process? The recruiting process. If you want to catch a coach’s attention, I would say you need to make your emails as personal as possible. You know, speak about, you know, different.
Different things that a general email just wouldn’t, you know, maybe speak about the seeds, speak about some of the programs that you’re interested in, speak about what you’d bring to the team. Speak about, you know, obviously positions. I’d say try and make your emails as more personal as possible just because that’s some of the things that really catch my [00:19:30] attention.
Um, you know, you’ve done your research on the school, you’ve done your research on the team. Um, you’ve watched one of our games, um, You know, I would say try and make it as personal as possible. They just some of the things that catch my eyes, and I know, you know, with Coach Ryan as well, there, there’s some of the things that, um, tend to catch, you know, our attention.
Um, obviously it’s always important to share as much information about yourself, you know, obviously recruiting, class position, highlight videos. Um, just speak as much as possible about yourself as well, you know.
Matt: I couldn’t agree more. In fact, if you go to discover college soccer.com, look at our resources page, you’ll see our sample coach email template and it says everything that Coach Collins just said.
Uh, so definitely take a look at that. But Coach, really appreciate the time. Wish you guys the best of luck in the fall, and if you get to any of the uh, ECNL events down here in Bradenton, give me a shout and we’ll get together. All right.
Coach: I appreciate it, Matt. Thank you so much for having me. Thank you. All
right.
