Gwynedd Mercy University Women’s Soccer – Coach Michael Nelms

In today’s episode, I speak with Coach Nelms from the Gwynedd Mercy Women’s Program in Pennsylvania. We talk about how he recruits attitude, effort and commitment. Coach also shares about the investments being made in the school with growing enrollment. Plus, we discuss how he adjusts his style and formation based on the players. Learn more about Gwynedd Mercy University Women’s Soccer.

Matt: [00:00:00] Hi everybody. Welcome to Discover College Soccer. Today I’m lucky enough to be joined by Coach Nelms from Gwyn Mercy in Pennsylvania. Welcome coach. 

Coach: Hey, Matt. Welcome. It’s what a privilege to be here. 

Matt: Ah, thank you. Glad to have you. I know we’ve, I’ve talked to your, the other side of, of the soccer program over there, but it’s nice to talk to you on the women’s side, so, um.

You know, we were just talking, you know, last weekend was, was huge. You had the RL showcase, the NL Showcase and the DPL Showcase all here in the state of Florida. A lot of recruiting going on. What, where do you guys stand right now as a Division II school? You know, I mean, you, you went to the conference final, you have, you’ve had a great year.

So kind of where do you guys stand right now? Class of 26. And how much. Are you looking at 20 sevens? What’s that all look for you guys? 

Coach: Well, it’s, it’s, it, Matt, you know what, it’s, um, starting this program five years ago and really starting from the ground up where, where I took a beating or team took a beating for first couple years where I begged for players, uh, just to, so I had enough, [00:01:00] uh, players so we weren’t, uh, you know, we’re gonna lose our, um, you know, our program.

And, uh, and we built that really well. So it’s really nice. I was in Harrisburg, uh. Last weekend and I did an ID clinic there, and it was all 2020 sevens and 2028, and it was my first time doing this program, five years that I’m, I’m not just looking for 2020 sixes. I’m, I’m, I’m where most schools are, where you’re looking at 20, 27, 20.

That’s why I feel like I, I’ve, I’ve made a lot of ground, I’m catching a lot of ground up, if that makes sense to you. 

Matt: Yeah. 

Coach: Uh, am I in the division three or you’re always looking for, uh, a another 2026. Listen, I’m a 19 goal scorer. That is graduating in May. So, uh, they don’t just, uh, pluck off a tree, especially at our level.

So, uh, and, and our two goalies that were phenomenal this year were seniors. So, um, I’m really, uh, I’m really focusing on getting goalkeepers this year and next year. Yeah. And, uh, but, but we, we’ve come a long way [00:02:00] and, and, and Coach Bon tempo on the men’s side, he’s been a great mentor towards me. And, uh, it’s been a great, great situation.

Uh, the, the tough part is being a part-time coach, uh, and working full-time hours just to make this happen. And, you know, I’m, right now I’m. I’m outside of my Core four science class right now, getting this, uh, having this opportunity for this interview with you right now, which is awesome. But, uh, so you’re, I’m always trying to make it, uh, available.

I want our program to make it to that next level. And, uh, that’s, that’s what, that’s what gets me energized and ready to go. It’s, uh, ’cause I, I know this, I, ’cause I used to coach at a, at a NAI school and ended up being a Division II school called Holy Family University, and that’s where I played. And you know what it’s all about.

Uh, you know, believe in yourself and believe in your program because I’ve seen great teams, individual one, two, and three really doesn’t matter, you know? And, and I think what I like about our school, we’re really heavy in the, um, in the scientists with nursing and occupational therapy [00:03:00] and, uh, now pe which is great with the health sciences.

That gives us a great situation. ’cause a lot of the females wanna go in for our program that is ranked one of the highest in the, in the state and in the country in nursing. So, um, we’re trying to make it, make it happen and it, uh, division three is not as stressed out as division one and two and, uh, so I think today’s athletes, they can have both, uh, at, at my level.

So I think that’s the only advantage I get because it’s all academic money. It’s not, there’s no athletic money there. So, but I really tell ’em, I said, listen, you have great academics. You can, you can go to school. I have a girl this year that is basically gonna to school for $500. And, uh, because her academics are, uh, uh, superior, you know, so it’s, it’s a nice situation.

I’m, I’m always learning. Listen, I’m 60 years old, Matt. I’ve been coaching for so long. Started when I was 15 years old, never stopped. And uh, I tell you, I’m always learning. Today’s athletes are so much different than they were when I started coaching 30 plus [00:04:00] years ago. And that’s, and you have to adapt to it.

Listen, I’m a teacher too for 34 years and I’m always adapting to today’s world. And part of it, Matt, is my key, is my assistant coaches. I have two young females. One played for me, the other one played for the program years ago. They help keep it balanced, you know what I mean? Which I really think you need that, especially in the women’s program.

And because, you know, listen. I like to think I’m young, but you know what? I still have those old school ways about me, and that’s part of the deal, you know? 

Matt: Well, we’re, we’re us old folks are guilty of that sometimes. And, and yes, we are. But, uh, you know, you, you, you gotta do what? You gotta do that. Right, 

Coach: right.

Matt: Well, you know, and. In, whether it’s at one of these, uh, clinics that you’re, that you’re going to or, or an ECNL event or something. Anything like that, kind of, well, what makes, what makes up the hierarchy of things you’re looking for in a player, both on and off the field? 

Coach: Well, you know what, Matt, it’s, it, it, it’s really clear.

It doesn’t matter what Division I I’d be coaching, uh, attitude, [00:05:00] effort. Commitment and, and, and listen. Do you love the game of soccer? You know, do you, do you want, do you wanna be there? Because that’s the bottom line. A lot of these kids, they played so much soccer at early age, by the time they’re, they’re juniors and seniors in high school, they’re burned out.

So I just wanna reassure them that, listen, um, it’s gotta be. You gotta want it. You got, it’s gotta be, I, I hate to say the word fun, but you want it to be fun for them. Enjoyable, let me say enjoyable experience. Uh, I’m all about creating memories and making it like a family, uh, environment and, uh, and as. My players that I have recruited, um, come about.

We, we really gained, listen, last year was my favorite year because the, the players stepped up. They were the ones that were sit, uh, doing the, the, uh, get togethers instead of me, the the coach setting up. The players were doing that. And, uh, like even right now, it’s, you know, I, I don’t have contact with them, you know, in [00:06:00] terms of, uh, training, but, uh, you know, a, a player will text me, Hey, coach, there were seven of us in the weight room today.

I love that. You know, they’re motivating themselves. Now. It’s the key to the success. Um, I, I, I teach with passion. I coach with passion and, um, and I think. That is what I’m looking for. Do you wanna be here? Listen, if you’re sulking and you don’t wanna be here, then don’t please. It’s really, everyone has choices, but I, I do listen.

It, it, it’s, you know, when I see a player with drive, it, it just, it just, I just, it eats me up inside. And you know what, and I love. I love players when they’re, they can tell me, Hey, coach, uh, Mary Wood’s playing today, or They’re, they’re doing the research. It’s not just a coach. And I think the foundation of it all is where you have a combination with the player and, and the coaching staff combined.

You’re gonna be successful. 

Matt: Yeah, absolutely. Well, you know, the, as we’ve said, the, the landscape has changed a lot over the years. Yes, yes. And, and you’re building a [00:07:00] program still. It’s only, you know, like you said, five years old, so Yeah. In terms of your recruiting, are, are, are you, are you looking at the transfer portal?

Are you looking at internationals at all? Is is, there’s a, there’s a big push to that across all divisions these days? 

Coach: No, Matt, that’s a great question. Um. And the T portal is, it’s so crazy now because I think, uh, and it’s, it’s trickling down. It is helping division three, but the problem is, uh, division three has that stereotype.

All it’s division three, you know, uh, um, some players think they’re better than that, and you know what? And so I try and avoid that. Listen, again, why I just said in, in your last question, you gotta wanna be there, you know? Uh, you mentioned your daughter’s going dead south, you know. You gotta wanna go to a place that is the suburbs of Philadelphia.

It’s about 35 minutes from the city. Um, you’re close to King of Prussian mall. You’ve listen. The first day of train of, of my training camp in the summer. I worry about the freshmen not doing practice and not doing [00:08:00] the two days. But when they’re heading up the hill and they’re heading together, their dorms, you know, I, I have a daughter and I can.

I get, like my chest gets like all, all congested because I’m worried that they’re, they’re not gonna know what to do with themselves. So it is, it’s, it’s, I think it’s the, it’s the first transition that you make as a young adult is going to college and then everything else, you get married, you buy a house, your new job, I think.

But that first thing is go into a university and you’re, and we have, we have the, uh, luck that they come in before all the other students. So. That is, that’s huge. That’s a great icebreaker for these players. And, but you know, they live in the, a lot of these kids that I recruit, they live in these really nice homes and then they come and they’re in these dorms, and guess what?

The dorms are not like. It’s where they’re at their homes. And I always share this with them. I said, Mike, my two boys went to Temple University and, and. You should see the dorms. It was like cell block H and I said, I said my boys survived it. It was the best thing for [00:09:00] them. It made them more well-rounded and they appreciate other people.

And I try and say that to my players too. But getting back to your, your original question is like, uh, with the recruit recruiting it, you go to these ID clinics, you go to ’em. The best thing for me is, uh, I, I’m a talker, as you can tell, Matt, you know, uh, I, I sell the PRO program, but then I always say to them, Hey, listen, come to the school.

Do an overnight shadow a player and see if you, this is really the right fit for you. And I tell you what, when I get players that come and they stay overnight, I’d say about 75 to 85% of them, I get them then. Because they say it’s not just the coach, but it’s the culture and the environment, and that’s the credit of a small school.

I’ll take the players to a, uh, a basketball game from the school and it’s like, it’s like something outta Hoosiers, you know? You have the small environment. It’s great. I’m like, man, I wish I would’ve played basketball. It’s, you know, it’s a, it’s a really nice setting. So, but it’s not for everyone. You know, it’s, I mean, you know, you’re talking, you know, under [00:10:00] 3000, uh, students and, and, but the cool part is about 75 to 80% of them are athletes.

And, uh, and they build on that. Like, I have the lacrosse guys coming to our soccer games. Um, the men’s soccer team, um, Dave and I try and do back to back. So we support each other, but unfortunately, a lot of times when we’re home, they’re away. 

Matt: Yeah. 

Coach: Uh, but, but even that with the lacrosse and the field hockey and the softball.

We all have a common bond with each other, and I love that. I really do it. It’s, it’s a great situation for us all. 

Matt: No, for sure. Well, and you’ve touched on it a little bit, but, uh, you know, for the folks that, that haven’t been, uh, up to suburban pa to, to see, to see your school, uh, kind of what makes it stand out, what, what are some things maybe we wouldn’t even know just by going through the website?

Coach: Well, Al Safety and Matt, it’s, um, you know, unfortunately in this world, uh, a lot of these, um, small schools are closing. Yeah. And, uh, a good sign is they, we put in a whole brand new sports complex with brand new softball [00:11:00] fields, baseball fields. Um, they just put in a whole new thing in the, in the basketball arena.

And, uh, we have, um, a. Uh, uh, on our campus, on the other side of our campus, St. Charles Seminary, which was, so the Archbishop of Philadelphia, um, uh, Nelson Perez. He put the building there. And to me, if you’re gonna put a, a building like that right next to going to emergency university, uh, it we’re, we’re, we’re staying.

They just built a state of the art health. Building. I, I took a tour with a couple of recruits the other day. I felt like I was in a hospital. I mean, it is, it’s unbelievable. It’s nice to see that they’re paying and listen, college is expensive, so they need to kick back and put it back into the programs.

And, uh, so, so we stand out other than, than, than these other schools because it’s, it’s one of the safest. Schools in a country, our, um, security is, is topnotch. It really is. And, uh, it’s just a really nice thing. And you think small, but you know, I did [00:12:00] recruiting just the other day and you’re walking around.

I’m like, it, it’s a lot bigger than you think. So you got the trees, you got the deer, uh, and then you’re close to the city if you want to, you know, you’re 45 minutes away from downtown Philly. You’re 20 minutes from, from King of Prussia mall. Um, so it’s a nice, it’s a really nice setting for, um. For everyone.

And, and they really, since COVID, they did a great job with the dorms. Um, they’ve made them, they put the money in to make it look nice. You know, it really, I’m, I’m really thrilled. I’m really happy with Gwyn Marshall University and our president because they’re, they’re making an emphasis for them. As, as opposed before it was like, you know, just survive and, uh, ’cause a lot of these kids were staying at home and, and taking online classes.

Now it’s starting to our, um, uh, population’s growing each year, which is phenomenal. 

Matt: No, that, yeah, rising enrollment’s always a good thing for a college, that’s for 

Coach: sure. Yes it is. Yes it is. 

Matt: Do me a favor, while pretend we’re back in October in the middle of that conference season. Walk me through what does a typical [00:13:00] week look like for the girls in terms of winter practices, classes, game cadence, all.

Coach: Sure, sure. Um, you know, uh, our, our, our, in October, our games mainly are Wednesdays and Saturdays. Uh, our practices are, uh, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, uh, Friday, uh, they’re off. Sundays every Sunday they’re off. That’s their, that’s their day off. Some of the girls work on those Sundays, but it’s a great situation for them.

And, uh, the um. The, the, uh, because I’m a school teacher, I get, our practices are probably three 30 in the afternoon, uh, or sometimes a little later. Um, it’s interesting, Matt, uh, years ago when I was a young coach, I would give them the day off, uh, after a game ago, uh, a Wednesday night game. I don’t now because, uh, I feel like our practices.

On Thursday are not grueling, but they are recovery. And I really feel like they need that. And, uh, our trainers are doing such a great job with the ice bands and, and all the, all the, uh, [00:14:00] stimulation stuff and, and the stretching stretch therapy. It’s, it’s really making it, uh, their whole, because I tell you.

As you go through October, like my September’s really grueling with non-conference games. October, it’s a little bit easier, but it’s conference games, so you, you have a lot of focus, a lot of pressure on it, but it’s, um, they, they, they are relatively healthy this year. So, um, I think nutrition plays a big role of it.

Uh, and, uh, and they, they, they help out each other. And now on Thursdays after our late practice, um, they have, um. Every Thursday they have, um, study halls and that makes ’em accountable. And we had the highest GPA in the conference last year. Um, but you know, my five years there, uh, we have been awarded the, you know, all academic team each year.

And to me. Uh, listen, there’s no one going the pro soccer, uh, in our division, but I, uh, it’s really important for them to graduate on time. And, um, and that being said, because we have so many people that are in the [00:15:00] medical field, I work in concert with the nursing professors, the OT professors, and, uh, they know that I’m, that I really want them, uh, to succeed.

It’s just not me being just a coach because, uh, I tell ’em, listen, I’m an educator just like you. I, I don’t want anyone dropping out. It’s just too much money. And you know what, it’s, listen, if you wanna change majors, that’s fine, but it, it really, it balancing out is a key. And, and, and I find that the, our student athletes on our team, they score so well academically because they have the balance of the sports.

You know, I, I, I just, I’m a firm believer in it too. And then our, uh, one assistant coach Dennis Kennedy, he was a CEO for Johnson and Johnson. And, uh, he retired at a very young age and he’s, and he alls he wanted to do was coach with me. ’cause we coached our, our guys when we were little years ago, his.

Bringing him aboard is just amazing. So you have this corporate exec guy and he has so much insight to, uh, to [00:16:00] people. He’ll tell the players, he goes, listen, I hire many people and hit the most successful ones. Were the student athletes. ’cause they can manage your time, handle difficult, challenging situations and be successful.

And that always resonates with me. You know, when you’re a student athlete, you have to manage your time. Hey, guess what? You’re, maybe you’re not making that, that party that you wanted to go to, you have to manage it. And, uh, it is, it’s, it’s a, it’s a, it’s a, it goes by quick, the, the fall season, but then again, it really takes its toll on you too.

And I try to be cognizant of that too. Any player, if they say to me, Hey, coach, I really need some time to, to study for this final, I, you know, I’ve, I’ve never said no to that, you know, and um, and like I said, the professors are all on board and it really works out really well too. 

Matt: Yeah, that sounds like it.

So, coach, uh. Talk to me a little bit about your, your coaching style and the style of play you guys look to play there. 

Coach: Uh, it’s great. Um, and, and I’ll, I’ll, I’ll delve into my coaching staff, [00:17:00] uh, real quick. I am an offensive minded coach. Uh, Dennis is defensive minded, bri’s defensive minded, Ashley’s defensive minded.

Uh, coach Petrosky is offensive minded. Uh, for five years I wanted to put in this offensive thing. I, I, I couldn’t, we, I had to play defensive minded just because I wasn’t the better team. Uh, we played four in the back. We have two in front of them in our first two years, you know, it was like a brick wall and just to, to keep the scores down.

Uh, this year I played four in the back, one in front of the four. Then I played two, and then I’d have. Another two up top. I’m always trying to change it up. And, you know what, um, style of play has to do with, um, the players? I have, uh, the, the one player I had this year, uh, Kira Bradley, who scored the 19 goals, um, she, uh, the other team had her number so she couldn’t play up top.

So I had a player from, from the midfield [00:18:00] and um, and once. She figuring out how to scheme. We tried to figure out how to scheme it. She, she started putting the goals for us. Uh, it’s, I would love to bring our outside backs up and be aggressive, uh, but because, uh, uh, most of these players that play my defense and my defense is awesome.

I, I will tell you what the. My defense and my goalies, uh, they are so defensive minded, they don’t wanna push up. And I’m yelling, no, you gotta move up. You gotta move up. Um, so again, I’m, you know, it’s a comfort level and because I have death now, uh, last year was the first year that actually had a bunch of people, can you shut the doors Please?

Uh, that I had, uh, a bunch of players that can come off the bench. I, Matt, I never had that before and it was such a, a great. Situation. I think that’s why we were healthy at the end of the year. Uh, listen, I’m not a coach. I’m gonna have 40 players on the roster. I don’t believe in that. Uh, and especially at division three [00:19:00] level, I want my players to play and it’s up to me.

If I, if I recruit you, you’re gonna play. And that’s why we play non-conference games and sometimes we lose those non-conference games. ’cause I put a freshman in the game in a very challenging situation. And you know, of course as a coach you don’t wanna lose any games, but you know what, uh, you gain so much growth by giving them the opportunity to learn and grow.

And you may not win now, but you win down the road. 

Matt: Yeah. 

Coach: And, uh, hey, coach gave me this opportunity to play and that’s what I really try and do. But everything’s earned and throughout the season, uh, I say this all the time, you can win. These spots if you work hard in practice and you know, a lot of people say that, man, I, I moved two midfielders and a defenseman in the game right before a playoff time because they earned a spot and it was really challenging for those.

Older players who had to like, take, you know, time away from them. But listen, it was earned. It has [00:20:00] nothing to do with my personal, I like everyone, but you know what? They certainly didn’t like me at that moment. Yeah, but you know what, uh, you can’t argue with the, with the success we had this year, you know what I mean?

Uh, it was the first time in 15 years that we made it to the finals. And, and our goal this year is, you know, we’re, we’re, we’re going all the way. You know, that’s, uh, how can you not, you made it to the finals, you know, uh, uh, we have, we have a Philadelphia Eagles team here that, you know, they made it to the finals, uh, to the, uh, uh, super Bowl and then, uh, then they came back and won it afterwards.

So I hope that we can follow that lead, not necessarily follow the lead that they did this year, but it’s, it’s all good. Uh. The, uh, the challenge is, uh, getting people to believe in the roles. Matt, you know, and the role of a player can always change. Uh, I think some, sometimes they think, well, I’m only gonna play this amount of time.

And I had a player that ended up leaving, uh, last year, which, and she was a very good, dedicated player early on, [00:21:00] but she didn’t buy into. The new players in the system and we parted ways. Uh, I, I felt in a, in a very respectful way. Um, but you have to buy into it and you have to listen. I, I say to my players all the time, whether I give you 15 minutes, 20 minutes, 25 minutes, you have to give your all because I mean, why would you work so hard not to give your all, whether you’re in a classroom or on the, or on the soccer pitch?

Matt: Yeah. Well, so as we say, we’re talking in January. You’re, you’re the girls are. Yeah. If they’re not back in school, they’re coming back soon and Yeah. What does your off season, springtime look like for them? 

Coach: Yeah, it’s great. This, this part is like, um, they will do a lot of things on their own. Uh, right now, in January, February, March, we go back and, uh, listen some of the, some of the players they’re playing in, um, indoor right now, which is great.

And, um. Sometimes I’m, I pop up and I get to see them play. I can’t coach, but I’m there looking at them and, and just give ’em a [00:22:00] thumbs up from the stands. Like, yeah, keep it up. Keep it up. And a lot of times when I’m in my office, I’ll walk, I’ll walk past the, um, the weight room and I see six or seven girls in there lifting weights.

That’s everything too. Matt. Uh. Today’s women’s soccer. You have to be strong, you have to be physical. This is where the transformation has changed so much. It’s a strong physical game. And, and they have to play that way. And I love seeing my players develop that way. You know, not just, uh, you know, uh, endurance, but you gotta have strength too.

And so they’re doing that. You know, this is stuff that I used to have to beg them to do. Couple years ago, now they’re doing it on their own and it just, it makes my job a lot easier. It makes me look good, but you know what? It makes them look good and they play better that way. So we’ll get into March and it’s, it’s our, uh, you know, our off season that technically, um, we’ll practice two to three days during the week, maybe one day in the weekend.

Um. Tops and we are building two. We get to do like a, we’re gonna do a round robin [00:23:00] tournament at Arcadia University where we’ll play four different teams from. A better conference. So it’s a challenge for us, and I love that, you know, and so we may lose four games in a row, but you know what? It makes us better.

You know, listen, we, we now, we’re not the bottom of the barrel. Next year we’re gonna be probably ranked either one or two in our conference. We, I’ve never had that. We were always ranked the worst team in the conference. Now, to be ranked either first or second man, I, I am like, I’m so joyful of that and I wanna keep, I wanna keep that going.

So it inspires me. It really does. 

Matt: Oh, that’s great. Well, coach, you’ve given us some, some great insights, uh, some good stuff about the school. I’m gonna leave you with one last question and that is, sure. Matt, if you had a piece of advice for somebody going through this college recruiting process right now, what would that be?

Coach: Okay. You know, the thing is be honest, straightforward, and, and, um, and, and tell them, listen, uh, come to our school. See what we’re all about. And, and, and, and if you. Believe in it, [00:24:00] then you come. But if, if you, if it turns out, no, I don’t want a small school. I want to go, uh, Penn State, a big school or, and play club, there’s nothing wrong with that.

But again, being honest, um, talking about your grades, how important they are, you’re not gonna play if, if you’re academically ineligible. Yeah. You know, you’re, this is not a party school. You know, this, this is where you get your education, uh, uh, uh, and play for pride. Matt, the one thing that gets me, and I know I sound like an old fart, but I’m gonna say it anyway, I get excited every time they play a national anthem.

Uh, it just, it just, it’s, it’s riveting. It really is. And I say to my players, I said, you know, I’m gonna give you a stat. I’m only about statistics. And I’ll say, you know, what, 3% of all high school, uh, soccer players, uh. Uh, uh, there’s only 3% of all soccer players from high school that plays are playing college level.

That’s pretty special. That’s pretty special. You, you’re on it 3% in the whole nation. So [00:25:00] again, it’s no joke to play at the college level, to play in the ncaa, to play in the Atlantic East Co conference that we play in. And, uh, it’s just building, uh, memories. And that’s why I say too, Matt, you know what, uh, know my nickname’s Nelms, right?

And, uh, and they’ll say, Nelms z what’s the great thing about soccer? And I mean, this. It’s relationships. Matt, I feel like I built a relationship with you just today, man, and uh, just you sharing your experiences and, and getting ready with your daughter. My daughter’s a junior in high school in college now, and it just seems like yesterday I was going through that whole process with her.

Uh, I wish you luck with that and I appreciate the time that you gave me today. It means so much for, for me and our program. 

Matt: Well thank you coach, and uh, hopefully we will see you in that America East Title game in the fall. 

Coach: Matt. I hope so. I’m calling you, you know that buddy. 

Matt: That’s right, that’s right. I love it.

Alright. Hey, 

Coach: good luck with everything you’re doing too. You’re uh, this is a great service and I really appreciate it. 

Matt: Thanks coach. 

Coach: Thanks for your time.