Johnson & Wales University Women’s Soccer – Coach Chris Flint
On today’s episode, I speak with Coach Flint from the Johnson & Wales Women’s Program in Rhode Island. We talk about his overall recruiting timeline each year. He describes their picturesque field location. Lastly, we discuss how their program lead the region in scoring. Learn more about Johnson & Wales 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 Chris from Johnson and Wales up in Rhode Island. Welcome coach. Thank you. Good morning. Hi. Yeah, thanks for being here. I, I was, I’m getting ready to go up to Greensboro for the east C N L R regionals and I was like, I wonder if it’s the Johnson and Wales in Charlotte, but no, you, you, you are up in Rhode Island.
I think, uh, we won’t tell the Charlotte guys you’re probably the bigger, better program. Right.
Coach: But, uh, well it’s funny cuz we had four program, we had four campuses. Oh, wow. Pre, pre covid, uh, Denver and North Miami. And, and they were closed coming out of Covid. But quite often I get emails, um, confirming games and I’m like, uh, I’m in Rhode Island.
I’m not Charlotte. I get invited to go to clinics in North Carolina all the time, and I’m like, I’m in Rhode Island. I’d love come down to North Carolina, but I’m not in Charlotte. So it’s all good.
Matt: Yeah, well, we’ll, we’ll, we’ll talk about Rhode Island. Uh, but right now we are, uh, you and I are talking here.
It’s June 14th. Uh, I mean, for a lot of division one and two folks, they’re probably getting ready to, to dial up their fingers, start tomorrow for, for their other class. But, but. You guys have the, uh, fortunate, uh, spot to, to be able to talk to folks whenever. So in terms of your recruiting calendar, um, I’m assuming you’re your 20 threes as you’re done and dusted and you’re working hard on 20 fours, but about how far [00:01:30] out are you looking?
What does your normal recruiting calendar look like?
Coach: Yeah, I mean, it’s definitely a little bit different for us at the Division three level. And, and I have coached at Division one, division two, and, and remember the days I used to tell people that, uh, Kids would know where they’re going to school before they get their driver’s license, you know, and, and uh, for us it’s a little bit more delayed, but at the same time, you know, we’ve certainly completed our 20 threes, 24 already have a commit typically.
Um, our, our incoming, I mean, our recruits wanna know where they’re going before the fall of their senior year. Most of the kids we recruit are in a seven to 10 hour radius, and a lot of them have a fall, um, high school soccer season. And it just be crazy to try to continue to do visits and, and things like that in the fall.
So, so our timetable is really a lot of visits in spring, um, junior year. And even continuing into this, into this month, we’ve had a, a lot after the Memorial Day tournaments that we went to and, and so, um, but yeah, by uh, September things are usually starting to take shape and every once in a while you get a, a straggler or someone who’s changed their mind or was holding out hopes, thinking that they truly were a division one or a division two.
Player. And then as those schools, you know, ultimately let them know that they weren’t gonna be in the mix anymore, then, uh, then they might circle back and, and, and reach out. So every, every year we probably get a kid [00:03:00] in February, March, April of their senior year saying, oh, I wanted to go to, I wanted to go south.
Like, we have a kid this year. I wanted to go. She wanted to go south. Florida, Florida, Florida. Looking at schools, talking to schools, and then. You know, Hey, I’m not going south anymore. I’ve decided it’s too far away. So, uh, that’s kind of our process.
Matt: Okay. Makes a lot of sense. Well, you mentioned Memorial Day tournaments just overall throughout the year, kinda what, what events are on your, your hit list?
Where do you’d like to go? Uh, to watch players?
Coach: Yeah. I mean, it’s certainly changing. I mean, there’s just so many opportunities these days. It’s like you gotta pick and choose, but just for an example of the past six months, um, Was at the Florida D P L event, the Florida E C N L regional event, the Florida E C N L event, Arizona Del Sole in February, Jefferson Cup in March.
Um, some of the local tournaments, n e ffc and, and, uh, the Scorpions run up here in, in Massachusetts area. And then, uh, Memorial Day weekend was at pda, uh, for a day. And then FC Delco in Pennsylvania for a day. Um, Some of these tournaments have become such a sprawl, um, that it’s, it’s no longer efficient to go to some of these events because of just how much time you spend in your car, to be a perfectly honest with you.
And that’s a little bit frustrating. It used to be nice, there were some events where one stop shop, park the car, get out, have 10 to 15 fields and spend the day. And now I feel like [00:04:30] it’s just a rat race cuz these tournaments are enormous.
Matt: Well, although you mentioned a couple near me that are, that are pretty good locations there, uh, Tampa and Bradenton here, so, uh, but yeah,
Coach: it’s beautiful and, and we had the best weather ever.
I think it’s the first time I’ve ever, never even gone to the jacket for like six days. Like I’ve, I’ve been in Florida in my winter coat and the, and, uh, you know, when a northern school is wearing a winter coat, it’s not, uh, not ideal.
Matt: Well, I always tell people 50 down here feels different than 50 up North.
But anyway. Yeah. Yeah. Uh, what, so when you’re going to these events, uh, you know, a lot of people ask me, you know, oh, I wanna be seen, you know, this, that and the other. But in reality though, what’s the mix would you say, of players that you’re going to see at an event because you’ve had contact with them or their coaches or, or you know, that player versus.
You know, uh, a happy coincidence that you’re gonna get seen watching a game.
Coach: Yeah, I think it’s, you know, for me it’s like you evaluate the emails and the correspondence that you did get, and then see if it makes sense in comparison to the games that you think are gonna be more beneficial. So, you know, honestly, it’s, it’s probably like, 60 40, um, 60 being games that I’m just gonna go to because I know that that’s a past, we have a pa past history with kids from that club or coaches in that club.
And then, and then it’s a matter of, you know, like I [00:06:00] said, evaluating of those 40% that the emails that came in, is it, is it, does it make sense to go watch and, and you know, and then also like what is the grad year for us? Um, I really, I’ve gotten to the point where if I like a kid who’s a grad, a grad year ahead of the cycle, more often than not, they’re probably going D two or D one.
Um, and, and so we definitely kind of weigh, weigh that as well. Cause you know, sometimes we’ll get 20% of our emails will be for a whole grad year out in, in advance of what we’re really looking at. Okay. That makes sense.
Matt: Well, what about camps? Do you guys do your own ID camps? Do your staff work? Other camps?
Are they a part, is that a part of your recruiting mix at all?
Coach: Yeah, we certainly, um, so we try to hold an ID clinic, a one day event, like every three months. Uh, we, we didn’t this year in May, just because of the timing. Of some of the other events that were being held. Um, but we had an indoor event in February where we had about 40 kids.
We don’t, we’re not looking to blow it out and have a hundred, you know, we really like to try to keep it a good controlled environment where there’s a good ratio of my staff to, to the, to the players. Um, and then I certainly work multiple events in the summer. Um, we, I co-host, uh, an event with, uh, With a couple other colleges in Connecticut that’s, it’s a good, [00:07:30] a good two day event.
And there’s like five or six division three schools involved, and then we invite, um, other coaches in to come and observe and things like that. So it’s kind of a variety, you know, some is, uh, a lot of one day, a lot of one day events nowadays, you know what I mean? And then it’s a matter of, you know, once again, it comes back to what’s the quality like, and then you know, which events are typically good because.
Everybody’s doing ID clinics now. You know what I mean? And there’s so many companies that are running ID clinics that you know, and you, and you don’t even know sometimes who’s attending until a day or two before. So then you’re making a last minute decision because all of a sudden you found out there’s actually 10 to 15 kids at this one versus that one that, um, are, uh, are are worth going to see.
Yeah. Yeah.
Matt: Well, Whether it’s at a camp, clinic, tournament, wherever you’re, you’re watching games and evaluating players, what’s your, your hierarchy of things that you’re looking for in a player, whether that’s on the field stuff or off the field stuff.
Coach: I mean, certainly I think just a good solid base technically, um, uh, speed of play is, is critical.
Uh, we have a number of players on in our program that, you know, due to their, their club situation was one thing, their high school situation was another. And, and I love, I love that when their playing center mid, like I got a, I have a great defender who is center mid for her high school team, but a center back for her club team.
And now she plays outside back for us. So [00:09:00] I really always say that it’s just a matter of the soccer player first. Like what’s, you know, what’s, what’s their versatility? Like, what’s their first touch? How’s their technical ability, speed of play, um, athleticism, you know, and then, uh, and then, you know, obviously that’s just kind of like what piques your interest.
And then you gotta start to dig deeper in terms of the academic profile, character and background and, and things like that. And so it’s kind of, uh, the, the initial is, Do they have the ability to play the game in, in my opinion, at the level that we’re looking to try to play and, and then go from there.
Matt: Okay. Well, let’s talk a little bit more about the school. Uh, as you mentioned it used to before campuses, now it’s two. It’s uh, you know, I think there’s some people who maybe heard the name Johnson Wales, but you know, you, you’ve been there a few years, so you get some good perspective for us. So what do you like most about the school?
What are some great things about it that maybe we wouldn’t learn just by going through the website?
Coach: Yeah, I think the biggest misconception is that it’s a culinary school. Um, and I think obviously that that’s, you know, uh, the history of it and, and. The notoriety of it is that, but it, we actually are down to a situation where I think it’s like roughly 25% of the, um, students are culinary.
Uh, we have a variety of majors, which is great because, um, you know, we have, we have kids who. You know, come in thinking they want something and then they can bounce to something else or add a minor. Um, so we just have, everyone always asks, what’s, what’s your [00:10:30] popular majors? And, and we really have probably across a roster of roughly 30, we probably have 10, 10 different majors across the roster.
Um, which is, which is nice. And, and, uh, health science is a big one for us. And then we do have a lot of, we do have a lot that are involved with culinary, but culinary is such a, a diverse. Academic area that I think people don’t realize that I had someone who just graduated in December, was nutrition based.
And so she works for the Boston Celtics in, in, in their kitchen. And I have a former grad who works for the New York Giants football team in, in their kitchen doing meal prep and helping the athletes stay on track. And then I have culinary that’s running restaurant and culinary that’s running a bakery.
You know what I mean? And so, but we just have, uh, We have a lot of different majors. The, uh, the athletic facilities are really nice. We have a split campus so that, um, some of the academics are right in, in the city of Providence, which has got tons of things to do. Um, you know, just, you can go to the theater, you can go to a concert.
There’s five other colleges in the immediate area. So it’s a very young and kind of, uh, thriving, uh, city that’s manageable. Um, And then our, our athletic facilities are on Narragansett Bay, so we’re literally a hundred yards away from the ocean. And so, you know, during preseason we’re on the field and there’s sailboats out and, and, uh, a lot of activity out on the water.
So it’s [00:12:00] just a kind of a, it’s kind of a neat dynamic to have both of those settings for the students. Um, and you can live down city, we call it, or you can live on the harbor side. Campus as well, so you have a variety of dorming situations as well. Oh, that’s cool.
Matt: Yeah, it’s Rhode Island’s, one of those, one of the few states I haven’t visited yet.
I gotta get up there and check it out. Uh, yeah, well you, you mentioned the academics and, and obviously Johnson Wales’s so well known for its culinary programs, but, but just overall in terms of academics, A lot of times that’s the big transition, trying to balance your studies with playing a college sport.
So specifically, how do your students really balance the, the pull between the two? And what kind of support systems does the school offer to help students be successful in both?
Coach: Yeah. Well, certainly, I mean, one of the things that we do focus on is trying to, uh, recruit the, the best academic students that we can.
Um, it’s kind of twofold. One is that in my experience through the years, those who thrive in the classroom, Typically have a little more sense of responsibility and, and, and want to continue that academic quality. Um, and it also translates out the field. So, um, it also helps with financial aid. As a division three school, we, we give really strong academic merit.
Um, Scholarships. So that’s, that’s a big part to, to help keep things somewhat affordable in the high cost of [00:13:30] college education. But, uh, you know, academically the interesting thing for us, and it continues to hold true even this year. We had a 3 84 GPA in season and a 3 56 in the spring. Um, and I think that the structure that’s provided by being a fall student athlete when you come in is fantastic for our, for our new students.
And they just kind of fall in line with the upperclassmen and, um, you don’t obviously get a 3 84 if, if, if the team as a whole isn’t, um, dialed in academically as well. So, you know, if, if we target. A class or two or something that might not be, um, where the student wants. Then we have tutoring and, and, and other academic support areas.
So, you know, it’s really, I mean, that’s the goal. That’s the, that’s the, you know, the reason they’re, they’re there is to get a good education and stay on track so that they can ultimately have whatever they, you know, wanna do in the future as an option. And so, This spring I wrote, graduate, you know, recommendations for like six of my seniors and, uh, three of ’em are going to graduate school right away.
A couple of ’em are taking a year off and then gonna, um, get some, get some more experience and then go to graduate school in 2024. So I think that that’s, that’s about com. That’s common. You know, roughly 30 to 40% of our graduates are, you know, going into a graduate study, um, pretty quickly. So, oh, okay.
Matt: Well, let’s. Either rewind or fast forward, whichever you prefer, but go [00:15:00] into a fall season. Can you walk me through what a typical schedule? Would look like in a, in an average week in terms of, you know, winter classes, uh, the games, practice, meals, all that kind of thing?
Coach: Yeah, sure. So most of our students are in class, depending on if, you know, they’re early risers.
They could be in class as early as eight. Um, some of our culinary labs are actually start at 7:00 AM and go till 1:00 PM. But the a the normal academic for us is like in the eight to 2 33 o’clock range, roughly. Um, we actually have a four day academic week, so it’s, it’s great. No classes on Friday. Um, so Monday, you know, in class, maybe eight to two, let’s say get out of class.
We usually lift on Monday and Thursday at roughly three 30. Um, we have a, a varsity weight room that’s a hundred feet, a hundred yards away from the soccer field. So we’ll, we’ll lift. Pre practice and then go over to the field. And our training sessions are usually in the four to six 30 range. Um, and then depending on what we’re trying to accomplish, we’ll dictate the length of that session.
Um, so then post practice, it’s a matter of, uh, are you going to the training room or are you just going to the dining hall? And then, you know, and then where do you do your academics, whether it’s in the. In the library or in your room, or, you know, another place on campus. So that’s, that’s a typical, you know, Monday, Tuesday is usually a [00:16:30] pre-game practice, you know, once again, roughly four to six 30 in that range somewhere.
Um, and we typically play Wednesday. Saturday is our schedule. So Thursday we do get back in the weight room kind of as a recovery lift after, after the game, and then on Friday. Because we don’t have academics, um, our practices will rotate and, and sometimes we’ll go at nine in the morning or 11 in the morning or one, so, so we’re done at a nice time on Friday.
It gives them a little bit more recovery time before Saturday’s game. Um, and then Sundays typically our off day. We do have a couple weekends where we go either like Friday, Sunday or Saturday, Sunday. Just trying to simulate. Our goal is to, to win the conference. And if you win the conference in, you’re in the NCAA tournament.
The format of the first weekend is Friday, Saturday. Or Saturday, Sunday. So we do try to simulate that just so that they have an understanding of what that might look like in terms of physically the demands on them. So to play back to back is is, is a lot. And so we don’t do it every weekend, but we definitely sprinkle a few in just to kind of give them a, Hey, this is what it could look like in November.
Matt: Yeah. No, that’s a good idea. Well, let’s talk a little bit more about the, the team, you know, well, let’s talk about roster size. Is there a roster size you feel is ideal that you try to hit each year?
Coach: Yeah, that’s another popular question. Now, certainly coming out of Covid, I think that our, our roster has swollen a little bit higher than what I would [00:18:00] typically, uh, have, but we’re still in a situation through the, through the 24.
Year of having kids, are they, are they coming back? Are you gonna use your year? Um, and then you, you know, graduate, graduate transfers, reaching out, stuff like that. So, so we, we had 33 on the roster for the 2022 season. Um, we have 31 projected for the fall of, uh, 23 and pre covid. I think the roster size on average was, you know, 26 to 28, 29 maybe.
We like to try to have. Three to four gks. Um, you know, and, uh, that, you know, even with that, sometimes you get an injury of a gk and now you got a field player as your backup to the backup, which is never a good situation. So, uh, but that’s kind of how we, how we shape the roster. And, you know, you just never know.
Like last year we thought we were gonna have eight kids graduating, and then three. Kids had had taken extra classes during covid and decided that they were ready for the real world. So we had 11 graduate. So the, the roster issue is, is just such a challenge as well. Cause you never know the kids coming back from surgery, we had three kids have surgery, this’s passed off season.
How are they gonna be, are they going to fully recover from that surgery? And then how to, you know, so, so the, so the number on the roster doesn’t always indicate who actually can participate. Um, And, uh, so it, it [00:19:30] is a little bit, uh, a little bit tricky. Um, you know, I know I have some peers that have 35 plus on their rosters, you know, and it’s just, uh, um, some of that is driven by admissions or a college philosophy, but I just, I think there’s a certain point at which.
It becomes hard to, to run an effective training session.
Matt: Yeah, for sure. Well, what about, uh, your staff? How big is it? Who, uh, who do you have? What other, what roles do they play? Is there other athletic department support staff that help with the team? What’s that look like?
Coach: Yeah. So for the past couple years I’ve had, I have, I’ve always had at least one assistant.
Um, there was a time where I had two, uh, the second assistant sometimes was a volunteer. That’s what, that’s what I’ve had most recently that, that juggling act of. You know, assistant coaches that are part-time, we don’t have the, the good fortune of having a full-time assistant coach. So, you know, it’s, it’s really a matter of, uh, you know, when, when can they be there trying to coordinate when, when they’re both there versus just one.
And then what are we trying to accomplish on that given day? More often than not, my assistant coach, uh, he’s been with me since I got the job. In 2015, he’s, he’s at 95% of, of, of everything. And he is, you know, in Florida recruiting and, and doing, you know, everything that, um, you would want an assistant coach to do.
Um, and, and it’s just a matter of, you know, his availability. So, um, so that’s kind of how [00:21:00] the staff works. I mean, I, I, I’m a big believer in. You know, give the assistant coach as much responsibility as they want and, and see how they do. And then also it prepares them if in fact they wanted to, to, to go on to that next step.
Becoming a head coach. Um, some of my assistants don’t want that. Um, and they just like, like the role they’re in and, and have a full-time job elsewhere. So that’s kind of how, how I have it now. Um, in the past, you know, I’ve, I’ve had assistant coaches go on to be head coaches elsewhere, stuff like that.
Matt: So, Okay, well how would you describe your style of coaching and, and the team style of play?
Coach: Yeah, so first and foremost, I think the style of play is, is definitely possession based. If, if, if we’re doing well, the ball’s on the ground, um, moving side to side, obviously here and there, balls are gonna get flighted in for service or clearance, you know. But, um, we really like to attack, um, we. We have 80 schools in, in the region.
Last year we led the region in scoring with 85 goals. Um, we’ve been in the top three in scoring in each of the last three years. And, um, you know, so I just, we play a 4, 3, 3 for the most part and just try to get everybody into the attack. Um, and, and that’s why, as we mentioned beforehand with the versatility in recruiting, you know, you just never know or you might end up cause, uh, Forward might struggle at the collegiate level, but she becomes a great outside back cuz she has that [00:22:30] mentality to go forward.
Um, and, and just needs the field in front of her a little bit, whatever that might look like. But um, in terms of my coaching style, I mean this fall will be my 28th year as a head coach. Um, and certainly I’ve changed over the years, but I definitely, I feel like my role is to. To help the players get better and accomplish things that they might not have thought that they could, you know, by having a certain standard.
Um, definitely intense. And, and I’m gonna, I’m gonna ask you to do certain things and to do them well, and we’re gonna rehearse them. We’re gonna do the review on the film. We’re gonna review things on the, on the dry erase board and, and, and, and then also do walkthrough type of stuff so that you’re, you’re prepared, you understand it, and then it’s a matter of me.
Creating the environment to get the repetition so that you can get better at what we’re asking you to do. We do a, we do a fair amount of position specific training, which a lot of our players really enjoy cuz they have typically gone to club practice or high school practice. And it’s been the whole unit doing the same thing over and over again.
And my philosophy is, A defender might not be in the final third very often, so why are we gonna give them 25 repetitions that the midfielders and the forwards could benefit more from? You know what I mean? And so, we’ll, we’ll oftentimes split, split our, uh, our groups up positionally. Um, and, and do some 20 to 30 minutes of, you know, position specific [00:24:00] training in the area that they’re gonna be, you know, whether it’s, you know, gks and defenders breaking it out, midfielder working on combos forwards, you know, working on finishes or final service runs, stuff like that.
So, um, but that’s, that’s my belief. I’ve just gotten to the point where, Um, I think they have to get more repetitions because so many clubs today, like I, I haven’t coached club in a while, but it’s, you know, two to three teams on a field for practice, so they never get to do anything big field, you know what I mean?
And, and it’s just like, It doesn’t do about anybody any good because now, now they have no idea how to, how to deal with the space. They were really good at doing what they were trying to do in a third of the field, and then you get to the big, big picture and it’s like, wow, there’s just a lot more space.
So we do a fair amount of 11 B 11 stuff as well, just because that’s the game. And we also want. Our players to be going at each other in that full field environment. So, um, last year we had the offensive player of the year and the defensive player in the conference, and I’ll oftentimes put them on opposite sides, so they’re both challenging each other to get better, if, if that makes sense.
Matt: Yeah, no, I, that’s great. I know, I know. I wish we had the, uh, It’s the wherewithal to train on a full field for our club too. Uh, yeah. Some, some get it, some don’t. It’s, it can be challenging, that’s for sure. But, well, coach, we’ve covered a lot of ground. I really appreciate your time. I’m gonna ask you one last question, and that’s, if you had one piece of advice, one nugget to share with [00:25:30] anybody, parents, players, going through this college recruiting process, what would you wanna let them know?
Coach: I just think you gotta be an advocate for yourself and, and you gotta realize that, um, This is a huge decision. I, I have two adult children who both went through the process and, you know, I experienced everything that you can experience as a parent that we talk about as a coach from, from the injured athlete to the head coach, leaving the school that you committed to, to the decision to transfer.
Um, and, and so I just think that no matter, no matter what decision you make, you still might have. Second thoughts. So be as thorough as possible. Like I always encourage people to, to go to as many visits as possible and to ask, ask the tough questions, put the coach on the spot. Ask the questions that, that are relevant to you and be prepared when you do meet with coaches so that you can ask those questions, um, and, and find out like what your role might be or what, how do that, how does that staff envision you?
Helping, helping the program. Cause um, four years is a long time and it’s a, it’s a big decision. It’s, it’s not something that should be taken lightly and, and just, uh, I always tell recruits, you know, you need to let us know everything you’re doing in terms of, because you just never know. Like, I’ve, I’ve gone to visit family for something in New Jersey and there’s a kid playing an hour away and I pop out and, and, and go watch.
That, or, you know what I [00:27:00] mean? And, and just every opportunity is, is an opportunity to, to continue to be seen, to, um, continue to provide that information to the coaches that you’re interested in so that they know what’s going on. And then lastly, the biggest thing I, and I say this as well, not everyone’s coming the Johnson and Wales.
And if you’re not interested, let me know. And it, it’s not the end of the world. Um, we’re gonna move on. You’re gonna move on. And so be upfront and honest, because stringing a college coach along is, is, is not advantageous for anyone. And, and, and likewise ask the questions to find out if the college coach is stringing you along.
You know what I mean? And, and so it’s a two-way street. Um, and oftentimes I, uh, you know, I know based on the recruit’s answer, About certain schools that they’re looking at that they’re not really being recruited, but they don’t know it. But I’m not gonna be the one to tell ’em that, if that makes sense.
Yeah,
Matt: yeah. I understand. So, awesome. Well, coach, really appreciate it. Wish you the best of luck in the fall and uh, and the next time you get down to any of the Bradenton area, uh, recruiting events, gimme a shout and we’ll get together. All right. Sounds great,
Coach: Matt. I appreciate the time. Thanks. Thank you.
