Lincoln University Women’s Soccer – Coach Leah Stringer
On today’s episode, I speak with Coach Stringer from the Lincoln University Women’s Program in Missouri. We talk about what it’s like recruiting for a team that is a year away from playing. She describes the sense of community and the school’s history as an HBCU. Lastly, we discuss how she will look to implement her dynamic coaching style. Learn more about Lincoln 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 Leah Stringer from the Lincoln University women’s program in Missouri. Welcome coach.
Coach: Yes, sir. Thank you for having me.
Matt: Well, thank you. I, this, you know, it’s funny. Every, I keep getting new, new firsts. Uh, on this podcast and I have talked to coaches who are new to programs and I’ve even talked to some who are starting programs, but you’re actually 12 months away from your first season.
So this is, this is a first where, and kudos to Lincoln for giving you time because I know there’s some people who, who do not have that much time starting a program. So what’s it been like, uh, cause I guess you’ve only been there a month, huh?
Coach: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So, uh, been here about a month, honestly. It’s just been a lot of recruiting, getting, getting out there, uh, and making sure people know, Hey, there’s, there’s another option out here in Jefferson city at the division two level.
And yeah, just trying to promote the university and then the soccer program as well.
Matt: Well, and normally on these, I like to start with recruiting and usually people are, you know, they’re working on at least the next year and maybe two years and those kinds of things where, so you’re really looking at class of 24.
Um, and. And perhaps even 25 already, you know, and really working that less. So how are you approaching recruiting for a program? That doesn’t start for a year where, you know, what, what is your focus been? [00:01:30]
Coach: Yeah, honestly, right now, I’ve been trying to focus hard on a 24 class. Initially, I did try to do 2 classes at once, and it kind of turned into a lot to handle.
So, right now, I just focus on a 24 class, whether it’s, you know, incoming freshmen transfers. Juco transfers, yeah, just is anyone, you know, that that’ll be available for me this upcoming fall for our start of the season. So,
Matt: yeah. So, what is what is your goal roster size for for year? 1 of a brand new program?
Coach: Uh, yeah, good question. Right now. I’m looking at probably. Wanting to roster around 30. I think that’s a decent number. Obviously, with the women’s game injuries, a very big factor to have to factor in. So I think if I, if I set my number at around 30, maybe have around 3 to 4 keepers within that. Keeping me keeping me around 26 to 27 field players, you know, the try to account for those injuries or mishaps anything like that.
So, yeah, I’m trying to keep it around 30 at the same time. I’m not going to lie if I get to that 30 number and another girl comes across and wants to join what we’re trying to build here. Not going to deny that.
Matt: So, yeah, well, and then within that kind of what’s your goal? I mean, you mentioned, you know, transfers and junior college and all that kind of stuff.
So what is your hope in that first roster of kind of break down by class? You see it? Yeah. You know, how freshman heavy do you expect it? That kind of thing?
Coach: Yeah. So [00:03:00] honestly, I’m expecting to be very freshman heavy outside looking in. That’s probably not what. Yeah. Many coaches would want, but if I can get that core group and actually have them for about 4 years, it’s like, you’re, you’re not only in my 1st recruiting class, but you’re helping me sit down the groundwork.
You’re helping me create that culture and that identity and family environment that I’m wanting to bring here. But at the same time, I would like to have, you know, maybe a hand hand for you, maybe 1010 to 12. That are about, you know, transfers and everything like that, because I think the older maturity and the experience of the college game will will help me a lot.
But, you know, ideally looking to have majority of that class be freshmen’s just because it’s like, they don’t know what they don’t know. And it’s like, you know, we go in new conference, new team, new everything, you know, like I said, it’s like, just building in building them and molding them to be what it is what we’re trying to build.
Matt: Well, and be in division 2 and even in the conference, you guys are going to be in, uh, there is a good mix of international players, usually on a lot of those rosters. So are you looking internationally at all to fill some of those slots too?
Coach: Yeah, definitely open to the internationals. Obviously, just like, you know, the.
Kids from in the States, it’s just a matter of that right fit and fighting the right, right players, right student athlete and everything to come in. Um, internationals, obviously it’s a little more tricky unless you’re able to, you know, get out there and go watch them live, uh, depending strictly on highlight film and just the, the connections that I have, trusting [00:04:30] them in the, you know, just trusting in their word that these players are actually, you know, worth, uh, bringing over and things like that.
Matt: Okay. Well, You’ve got a year, right? So what, what’s on your calendar in terms of events? What, where do you, what tournaments do you plan on going to? How far, wide are you going to be looking? What’s that going to look like for you?
Coach: Yeah, to be fully honest, I’m not trying to leave any rock unturned. I will go anywhere.
The ballers are, I mean, I actually, I think I put it out there on Twitter a couple of days ago. Like, hey, I’m trying to get my August recruiting schedule together. Shoot me some events and there’s a couple of events. Some some individuals put out there. I had no idea. We’re going to be going on really close to me.
So I added them to my my calendars, but, you know, I’ll hit up the typical, you know, events, you know, with me being really close. To let the St. Louis and Kansas City area, there’s going to be a lot of league games in my area. So I’ll attend those. I honestly plan on, you know, taking advantage of not having my own season and worrying about preseason and stuff.
So, it’s like, all right, let me go to some junior college games as well. So, yeah, I honestly, I plan on being on the road all fall taking advantage. Like I said, of having that time to be able to attend events. I usually wouldn’t be able to because of my own games.
Matt: Oh, that definitely makes a lot of sense.
Well, whether you’re at a junior college game or an ECL tournament or any of these events, kind of what makes up the hierarchy of things that you’re looking for in a player that you want to bring into that first class, whether that’s on the field stuff or [00:06:00] off the field stuff.
Coach: Yeah, honestly, I think the easiest part of my job is finding a good soccer player.
I think the difficult part and the part that can get tricky is finding out who they are off the field with me having this year to be able to recruit. I really want to take my time and get to know my recruits and get to know them who they are as a daughter as a friend and everything like that. So that that’s really the key.
He’s for me, just finding out who they are off the field, because, I mean, with the being a startup, it’s like that that 1st recruiting class is going to be really big for me and every recruit that I’ve actually had the honor of discussing things with and, you know, recruiting right now, I tell them that I’m going to depend on you to come in, help me create the culture, the identity, basically what we’re going to be known from from day 1 and moving forward.
Matt: Okay, awesome. Well, let’s talk a little bit more about the school. Uh, you know, I think there’s a couple of Lincoln’s that are out there in the wild.
Coach: So I always had to add that Missouri, like we’re the one in Missouri, not Pennsylvania. One has memorial after the name.
Matt: Yeah, I guess. So, um, obviously you’re new only being there a month, but what was it?
About the school that really made you say, Yes, I want to be a part of this institution. What are some of the cool things that you found out about the school already? Maybe some things we wouldn’t even know by going through the website.
Coach: Yeah, for me. Um, we are HBCU, um, one of the I want to say one of the first and oldest in [00:07:30] Missouri.
So that was one of the things that really stood out for me. Um, just just the amount of pride in traditions and culture here. Like I said, I’ve only been here a month, but, um, Within my interview process, I met with the booster club and the support I got from that. Day until now has just been unbelievable.
I’ve had local club coaches, local high school coaches, and again, boosters reaching out to me saying how excited there they are about, you know, the, the program and everything like that. So I said, just to support me. Obviously, every university has support. I would like to think within athletic departments, but to be a startup program and already have the excitement around the team and I have yet, you know, scheduled a game is very exciting.
So that that was 1 thing I was happy to learn that I have the support of not only the community, but the university as well.
Matt: Okay, that’s great. Well, speaking of support, what kind of support does the school offer the student athletes in terms of really helping them balance the rigors of being an athlete and the rigors that come with being a student?
Coach: Yeah, yeah, that’s a good question. I know, I know for sure we have like a academic success center, obviously to help with like tutors, um, help with like, you know, whether it’s, um, Improving like study school, studying skills and things like that. Uh, but yeah, those are, those are just a few of the resources. I know off the top of my head that they do there.
Um, [00:09:00] but yeah, then, uh, within our department, I mean, we have advisors that will assist our student athletes with their schedules and everything like that, making sure they’re on track to graduate and everything like that.
Matt: Okay. Well, in terms of other support, kind of what. Folks are there maybe in the athletic department, whether that’s athletic trainers, strength and conditioning coaches, what, what kind of ancillary services do you see your student athletes being able to take advantage of?
Coach: Yeah. So actually both of those that you just mentioned, uh, our athletic trainer, actually, I just met with him a few minutes ago, um, our strength and conditioning coach, he’s already, you know, been in talks with me as well. Uh, just, you know, trying to get an idea of what it is I would like from him on that side of things.
Um, and, and the fact that he. Has admitted to me, he probably doesn’t have the best soccer background, but is willing to, you know, reach out to some resources that he has and everything that means a lot to me. Because obviously, usually at the college level, your strength coaches, you know, the football guy that that was given soccer.
So, just the fact that he’s willing to do his resource research and make sure he’s doing everything possible to help me out with my team is great. But. But yeah, the, the, the resources, like I said, the, the training staff, the, the strength and conditioning, um, from our SID, uh, media people, every, everyone’s been very hands on and ready for me to get that first commit because that, that once I get that first one, man, we’re, we’re going to blast it all over the place and it’s, it’s, it’s going to be up from there.
Matt: Awesome. Awesome. Well, I know it’s. Really [00:10:30] forward looking and I’m not, I’m not holding anything, you know, rock solid here, but do me a favor. Let’s fast forward. Maybe 14 months. Let’s say it’s October of your first season. What do you envision? That’s a week in the life of a student athlete going to be when it, when his practice is going to be game schedules, classes.
What’s it normal week going to look like for them?
Coach: Yeah. So, um, from what I know, the GLVC, their games are Friday, Sunday. So we’ll be, you know, participating in our games on Friday, Sundays. Uh, for me, I usually give that Monday. That’s your, your day off, relax, chill, catch up on some homework. Uh, those, those Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursdays, I mean, we’re practicing trying to get everything in.
Um, and then, yeah, I mean, practices ideally, I would love to practice in the morning, um, just because. I’m a person, you know, early bird gets the worm, plus, I mean, why sit around and wait all day and have practice at night? We can just go ahead and knock it out. Plus, it’s a little cooler, but nah, yeah, practice is, you know, perfect, ideal world would be in the mornings, uh, so they can, you know, do the rest of their stuff in the, in the day, classes, homework, and stuff like that, but yeah.
Okay.
Matt: Well, in terms of, you know, obviously you’ve only been there a month, but do you know what your overall staff is going to look like in terms of assistant coaches? And is there a plan for that before the season starts?
Coach: Yeah. So I actually just posted my assistant position, uh, role. I want to say it was posted last week, actually.
Um, so I’m hoping to have someone in maybe by [00:12:00] September. To help me out, because again, right now, it’s just me and it’s a lot a lot going on. So I can’t wait to have an assistant. Ideally, I would love to have a staff of about 4, whether that’s, you know, a volunteer and then, like I said, my assistant position that was just posted, but ideally perfect perfect world.
We will have a staff of 4. So, yeah.
Matt: Okay. Well, I know you’re no stranger to college soccer. So, um, but in terms of, you know, this role, how would you describe how you want the team style of play to look and how would you describe your style of coaching?
Coach: Yeah. As far as the style of play. Honestly, I feel as if that’s going to be something I truly determined once everyone’s here and I see them together.
Ideally, I was a goalkeepers. I’m very defensive minded. I would like us to be good defensively before, you know, we start wanting to throw everyone out there into the attack and, you know, want to score goals. But yeah, once once I get everyone here on campus and see how we, you know, gel and work together, I think I’d be able to figure out exactly You know, uh, our style of play and everything as far as formations and just, you know, how we attack things.
Um, but, but yeah, that’s, that’s something I, I, I think about every day, honestly, I kind of try not to get too far ahead of myself and fast forward to, to this time next year when I’m hopefully, you know, starting my own preseason, but yeah.
Matt: Okay. And. Maybe thinking [00:13:30] about to your former players or anything else, how would they kind of describe you and the way that you like to coach the team?
You as a coach?
Coach: Yeah, so hopefully they’re saying I’m very dynamic. Try to try to adjust on the go. Um, I try to prepare them as best as possible. I will always have a game plan in mind. But at the same time, I am not ashamed to be like, Okay, that didn’t work or it’s not working. Let’s change it. Um, I’m very big on asking my players what they think and what they see.
Um, so I think it’s important for me when in the recruiting process to know that I am able to, you know, get players here that are able to think for themselves and read the game and be able to answer those questions because I will honestly ask you at halftime like. What do you guys see? What, what’s going on in the field?
Because I mean, it’s easy for me to sit there on the sideline and think I know what’s going on, but you’re in it, you’re playing it, you’re running, you’re running around trying to figure things out. So what do you guys see? What do we think is going to work? So, uh, just making sure I have players that are able, like I said, just answer that question.
And I promise it’s not a trap question, but, uh, yeah.
Matt: Okay. Well, several times you’ve mentioned, you know, the support of the, of the school, which is fantastic. So, of course, parents and, and players are always hoping to get that, uh, athletic scholarship money. Yeah. Um, so, has the school given you a decent bit of support in terms of scholarships and what’s available and, and that sort of thing?
Coach: Yes, they actually have, I’m actually very proud that the budget I’ve been given, [00:15:00] especially for a startup. I think I have everything I need within my grasp to do what I plan on doing and setting things, setting the groundwork, like I said, do have scholarships available. I have a few offers out right now, so hopefully, you know, we’ll get some verbal commits here pretty soon.
But, yeah. If we do have some scholarships, which like you said, would it be in the startup? I’m very happy with that. So yeah,
Matt: awesome. Awesome. Well, no, normally I, I, the, the, the question I end on is about what advice would you give families and parents and stuff, but I’m going to skip that this time. Uh, because you’re in a unique situation, you got a year left and by the time this, this airs, it’ll probably be about, I don’t know, September or something, but I’m going to give you the last word.
And that’s, Go ahead and sell your program, sell it to anybody listening who you want to see, give them the pitch and hopefully it’ll draw some interest for you.
Coach: Yeah, no, for sure. I mean, hey, anyone out there still looking for a home? Lincoln University. Yeah, we’re located in the capital of Missouri, Jefferson City, uh, Division II Women’s Soccer.
We will start competing, uh, in the GOVC come fall 2024. Uh, basically for me, I’m looking for players out there that are willing to grind and put in the work. Uh, that are open to that unique possibility of being part of something, you know, special, you know, part of history. Uh, and yeah, just ready to get out there and win some games.
Matt: Well, coach, wish you the best of luck. If you get down here to Bradenton, [00:16:30] Florida, where we have ECNL events all the time and other tournaments, please let me know. Uh, love to show you around and we’ll grab a cup of coffee or something and try to load your roster. All right. All
Coach: right. Sounds good. Definitely need to get down to Florida, man.
Yeah. Thanks
Matt: Awesome. All right, coach. Thanks and good luck. Thank
you.
