Seattle University Men’s Soccer – Coach Nate Daligcon
On today’s episode, I speak with Coach Nate Daligcon from the Seattle University Men’s Soccer program in Seattle, Washington. We discuss the recruiting process at the Division I level, including the importance of players proactively reaching out to coaches and how Seattle approaches building its recruiting lists. Coach Daligcon shares what makes Seattle University unique, from its downtown Seattle location and World Cup training facilities to the close-knit atmosphere created by its smaller, private-school environment. Lastly, we talk about balancing high school recruits with transfers and internationals, while emphasizing culture, player development, and finding the right fit both on and off the field. Learn more about Seattle University Men’s Soccer.
Matt: [00:00:00] Hi, everybody. Welcome to Discover College Soccer. Today, I’m lucky enough to be joined by Coach Nate at Seattle University. Welcome, Coach.
Coach: Thank you. Yeah.
Matt: Yeah, thanks for being here. And y- you and I couldn’t, couldn’t be much further apart, uh, Bradenton, Florida, to Seattle, but, uh, but, but the good news is it’s the first day of the World Cup, so we both have something to be excited about, right?
Yes. So, uh, I mean, that being said, you know, it’s, it’s June, um, almost June 15th. Mm-hmm. Uh, the, the fabled day for a lot of folks. Uh, what, what are your plans for June 15th? Do you have a list ready to go of the people you definitely wanna hit on day one? Is it like a three-day process? Like, what, what do you do when this magical s- starting gun goes off?
Coach: Yeah. So we, uh, myself and the, the assistants were talking about that today, just kind of getting a list, making sure we have, you know, phone calls, you know, um, phone numbers ready. So I think, yeah, w- I think we’ve seen what we’ve needed [00:01:00] to, to see from these players, um, over the course of, you know, the year.
So I think, you know, it’s just, um, getting them onto campus, getting them, um, you know, as- uh, associated with the program a little bit more and, and a lot of them are from Washington, so, uh, they know about the program as well,
Matt: so yeah. So, so let’s… then let’s, uh, uh, let’s just take it a step further ’cause, I, I mean, the, the women’s side tends to move super fast, right?
I mean, that June 15th and people are committing on the 16th, and y- you know, whatever. Whereas it seems, especially over the last couple years, that the guys have… it’s, it’s just keeps getting later and later and later in terms of the actual signings, you know, because of the portal, because of international, because of just l- whatever it is, right?
So if we’re talking the folks that are, you know, gonna be… the folks that might get that call on June 15th for, for your, for you guys, wh- when is that, when is that commitment happening? When are you sure? When are they sure? When, when is that [00:02:00] timeline for you guys of late?
Coach: Yeah. So, so basically once, you know, being able to talk to them directly, being able to, to have them on campus and, you know, then it’s probably, you know, probably not until this time next year sometimes too.
So, you know, we’ve… I mean, we only have one, uh, one 2027 commit right now, so, so it’s not like we’re rushing things. I think it’s more of, um, getting to know the player and making sure, you know, it’s the right fit for, for both parties involved, so.
Matt: Yeah. Well, I mean, I mean, it makes sense. And, and so what it…
you know, the question that people always ask me, “Okay, well, I’m a sophomore, a freshman, h- how, how do I get to that list that’s gonna get that call on the 15th? I can’t, you know, I can’t- Have these conversations with the coach, so, so what, how does that happen? How, how, how does your list get made?
Coach: Yeah. So I, I think it’s, you know, contact from that player in, in showing an [00:03:00] interest.
Um, you know, we really want players that really wanna be at the school, um, and the program. And so, uh, the more that, uh, they, they contact us, and the more that they’re, um, making sure that we know their schedules, how they’re doing, um, you know, I think that’s, that helps a lot for the, that freshman, sophomore class, so.
Matt: Yeah. No, I, and, and I’m glad to hear you say it. You know, it’s one of those things I, I always… Part of the reason we did this, do this podcast is so people hear directly from the coaches. Look, you still gotta send the emails. Even though they can’t talk to you, you still gotta do it.
Coach: Yeah.
Matt: Yeah. So, so where, you know, uh, being, uh, up, up in the Pacific Northwest, like where, where are you looking, uh, where are you watching players play?
Where are you getting folks? Where are you seeing them? What, what are some of the events you like to go to?
Coach: Yeah. So, I mean, as a, as a private school, there’s no in-state, out-of-state tuition, so private university, everyone pays the same. [00:04:00] Um, you know, we’re at a lot of the events, ECNL, MLS, um, you know, different events.
Um, you know, the, Canada’s been a, been in a good opportunity for us in terms of Vancouver being so close. So, um, so I think it’s, y- you know, we, we try to get out and see as many players as we can. Um, and, you know, obviously, the Pacific Northwest has a lot of great players as well, and so, um, making sure that we have a, a good bead on the players kind of in this area as well, so.
Matt: Um, we, we, I mentioned it a little bit earlier, but, you know, there has been a massive rise in, in transfers and internationals and all that kind of stuff. How, how does that, that… Let’s just call it the non-traditional route of recruiting. H- how does that factor into, to what you guys are doing there at Seattle?
Coach: Yeah, I think, um, you know, for the internationals and transfers and, and, [00:05:00] um, you know, there’s, for us there’s, you know, definitely a, a place for that in our program. I think, um, you know, this year we’re bringing on, I think, eight freshmen, and so, you know, now you’re kind of building again in terms of, you know, making sure that, uh, you know, having guys for four to five years, and building, really building a culture, um, I think is, is very important from kind of the ground up, and not just having someone come in for one year or two years or whatever it is.
I mean, there’s still a need for that, um, you know, but I think that’s one of the things that we’ve kind of talked about as a staff is, um, how do you make sure that there’s not too many transfers, and that you do have some young, young players coming through as well.
Matt: Yeah. Well, whether it’s a freshman or juco or any transfer or whatever, w- what makes up that hierarchy of things?
You’re looking for in a player both on and off the field.
Coach: Yeah, I think, you know, just, [00:06:00] uh, how they are, you know, as, as a person as well. Um, you know, are they the right fit for the university, for the team? Um, I think it’s, you know, very important to kind of get that right, the, the right balance and the, and the best mix.
Um, and so, you know, sometimes you get to see players a lot more. Sometimes, you know, with transfers, sometimes it’s more difficult. Um, you know, sometimes we play against guys that are transferring in, so we’ve been able to see them play firsthand, so… or sometimes we’re bringing a transfer in that went somewhere else, and now he’s coming back.
So yeah, there’s a lot of different, different avenues in terms of, like, when we’re, how we’re looking at players, and, you know, how we evalu- evaluate players as well, so.
Matt: Okay. Well, let’s talk a little bit more about the school. You’ve, you’ve been there a few seasons now. What kind of, what, what are some of the things you find that are, that stand out about the school?
Maybe some things we wouldn’t even know by going to the website.
Coach: Yeah, so I mean, [00:07:00] it’s, uh, right downtown Seattle, which is g- um, great, great facilities. And, uh, our, uh, um, our game, game field is a training site for the World Cup, so we’re not sure who, but it looks fantastic right now. So, um, uh, you know, I think, uh, being a private school, the class sizes, um, and I think the athletic department as well, I mean, it’s not a, a very, a huge athletic department, so a lot of the athletes- Know each other.
Um, the athletes hang out, um, from other teams, they hang out together. So it’s a, it’s a, it’s a nice, um, atmosphere in the athletic department for the athletes. Yeah.
Matt: Yeah. Very cool. Well, one of the hard parts of making that transition from high school into college is really balancing the demands of being a, especially a D1 athlete and a student.
Kinda w- how do your players really make that, that balance work, and, and what are maybe some of the [00:08:00] support systems the school offers to help them be successful?
Coach: Yeah, so y- I, and I think that’s, that’s one of the things, being, being a smaller, um, private institution in terms of class sizes, and you, you really…
Class size is, you know, 15, 20, 25, um, students, uh, in class. So you kind of have more of that hands-on experience. The professor knows you. The, we know a lot of the professors on campus, so, um, y- we have a, um, obviously a, uh, person who works with us with, uh, academics. Um, he has a, a great relationship with, with the guys and, um, just making sure that there’s that trust factor between them, um, and making sure that they’re getting the resources that they need.
And we, we talk about that. You know, sometimes athletes don’t want to ask for help, but all the resources are here to help them be successful. Um, so I [00:09:00] think that’s, that’s the most important piece that we try to stress to players coming in, especially new players, so.
Matt: Okay. Well, let’s fast-forward, uh, say, October, heart of that conference season.
Walk me through what’s a typical week look like for a player. What’s the schedule, classes, meals, game cadence, all that kind of stuff?
Coach: Yeah, so that’s a, uh, an interesting… You know, it kind of depends on, you know, are we one game a week, are we two games a week? Um, you know, kind of the conference, I think our schedule just came out today for the conference, but, you know, we have some Wednesday, Saturday, um, Saturday weeks.
So usually it’s, um, you know, basically we’re playing on a Saturday night. Um, you travel on Sunday. You’re probably off on Sunday, weights on Monday. If it’s a one-day week, then, um, you know, we, we’ll train Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. We try to train in the mornings. Um, and the guys like that. Gets them up, [00:10:00] gets them going, and then, um, they kind of have the rest of the day to, to focus on class and, um, study hall and treatment and everything.
So yeah.
Matt: Okay. Well, uh, you mentioned the schedule, and this is something I’m just very curious. You’re, you’re, you know, right now you’re on social media and you’re starting to see the schedule drops, right? Uh, at first it was the conferences, and then some folks have the, uh, their full schedule W- for soccer, when, when are these scheduling conversations happening?
When are schools, especially the non– obviously you don’t control your conference schedule that, that is what it is. But for your non-conference stuff, who– when are the conversations happening? When are these games getting locked in? Why, why does it seem to be going to, you know, June, July? You’re wondering when, when are these next games coming up?
What’s, what’s, what’s that like?
Coach: Yeah, it’s, it’s kind of interesting because the first year I came in, our schedule was already done, and so it’s like, okay, perfect. And then, you know, then the next year I kind of got it done earlier, but then [00:11:00] this year’s been pretty late, just trying to find games and trying to schedule in between things.
And I mean, we’re, we’re pretty lucky up here because we do have Washington, Oregon State, um, you know, Portland’s in our conference. But we’re– you know, we, we have teams that we play every year, which is nice. Um, but yeah, th-this year was a little bit more down to the, down to the end of, end of things, just trying to get– make sure things, you know, kind of, uh, fit in terms of where, where we wanted.
Um, but yeah, we, we have some big gaps this year in our schedule in terms of… I know it’d be nice to have quite a few days off. But, um, but yeah, it’s, uh, it’ll be interesting to see how the guys go.
Matt: Mm. Sorry, one more thing on, on the schedule. W-when, when do your guys report? Like, when is… when do they come?
When is the first game? When’s first classes? What’s that like?
Coach: The w- uh, so August 3rd, [00:12:00] um, is report date. They’ll probably get in July, like, 31st or somewhere around there. Um, uh, we’re on a quarter system, so we actually don’t start school until kind of the third week in September. Um, and so they’re on campus just playing soccer and, um, you know, for probably a month and a half, so which, which is nice.
Next, in 2027, we’re switching to a semester system, so. But, uh, um, but yeah, the, you know, a lot of them stay around here, and they play in the USL2 League, so, um, a lot of guys will already be back here, so.
Matt: Okay. All right. Well, speaking of the team, what, are you guys opted in? Are you at the 28 roster size? Is that where you guys are at?
Yeah.
Coach: Yeah, so we’re opted in, so.
Matt: Okay. And then who else is on that roster? Talk to me about your staff, support staff, who all helps out with the team, and what roles do they play?
Coach: Yeah, so we have, um, [00:13:00] you know, the, we have three staff here, two, um, two full-time, and then one more of a volunteer. Um, we have a video analyst.
We have, um, strength and conditioning. We actually have a nice program where we work with kinesiology as well, um, with their grad programs, so they do all of the GPS units. Um, we have a full-time trainer that works with us. Um, so yeah, we have, like, all the resources are here. Um, I think it’s, you know, just making sure that, uh, you know, the, the guys take advantage of that and, um, and work, work to develop and improve, so.
Matt: Okay. Well, what about you? Talk to us about your coaching style and, uh, the style of play you do there.
Coach: Yeah. So, um, you know, this will be my fourth year as head coach. So, um, and it’s been great, great so far, great. Love the guys. Um, you know, the, the team, uh, staff’s really, [00:14:00] really great as well. Um, I think, you know, coaching style-wise, you know, it’s letting the, the players be creative, um, you know, free-flowing on the field in terms of how they play.
Um, and, you know, just really working to, to help them develop and, and be the best player and person that they can be. And, um, you know, I think played, uh, played college, played professionally, and so, you know, you kind of, kind of look through- Their eyes at some, sometimes, but then also you’re looking as a coach as well, and I think, you know, when, when I was a player, you just wanted the coach to be honest with you, honest with where you were, where, where you’re at, um, you know, what you need to improve on, um, or what you need to keep doing, um, to stay in the team.
So,
Matt: yeah. Yeah. Well, what about that spring, that non-traditional season? What does that look for you guys? [00:15:00] Uh, h- what, what’s, what are you guys doing then?
Coach: Yeah, so th- this past year, I mean, we graduated probably about 12 guys, so we have a huge class coming in, but we– sometimes in the spring, you know, you’re trying to get transfers in maybe mid-year.
Um, we didn’t get as many as we, we wanted to get in, so spring was, you know… When you’re training with 12 guys, so i- it was a… It was good. Everyone got to play, but one of the big things was yeah, i- it’s a little bit more difficult when you have injuries or, you know, um, if there’s, there’s any issues with, with guys.
So yeah, spring, spring was a little bit different this year. Um, but, uh, you know, hopefully we can get moving towards the full-year model, and, um, that will kind of be a moot point, so yeah.
Matt: Yeah. When, when, uh, when are we supposed to hear about that? Is that- I
Coach: think it’s- Has that
Matt: got a date on it yet or no?
Coach: I, I think the end of this month, I think so, yeah.
Is that
Matt: part of the June 22nd vote?
Coach: [00:16:00] Uh- Or is it a different
Matt: vote?
Coach: Yeah, I’m not sure. I know- Okay … I just know everything’s supposed to be at the end, end of this month, so somewhere. So yeah.
Matt: Yeah, so ’cause, uh, you get the, the five and five vote- Yeah … is the 22nd, and then the possible change in- In
Coach: season
Matt: playing season. I mean, that, that’s gonna… H- how do you think, how do you think those two– Let’s say both of those get put in, how does that- Yeah … change what, what you guys do?
Coach: Yeah, I mean, it, it, it does change things. I think, you know, for, for me, I mean, h- we, we had some guys, um, you know, that went to MLS two teams or s- um, USL championship teams, so it keeps them there for a full year so they can graduate, so I think that’s a…
You know, it’s always difficult once, once you leave and you’re playing to come back or, you know, at our school, we don’t have a ton of online classes, and so it makes it a little bit more difficult. But, um, but yeah, I think, you know, m- [00:17:00] making sure you have these guys for four years, um, you know, m- maybe even five, I think, uh, is, is great.
So…
Matt: Yeah. Okay. Well, Coach, I’m gonna leave you with one last question, and that is if, if you had one piece of advice for, you know, any player going through this college recruiting process right now, what would that be?
Coach: I think, you know… Yeah, that’s an interesting question. I think, you know- The process is the process, and, and it’s different for everyone.
So you can’t look at, oh, here’s this timeline or this timeline. Um, everyone’s gonna be different, and just, uh, you know, don’t get too stressed out about it. Don’t… You know, it, it is, it is what it is. And, you know, try to enjoy, enjoy it as well, and, and making sure that, you know, whatever school you pick, you can kind of– you can see yourself there, you know, even if s- if soccer wasn’t a part of it.
Because that’s where, [00:18:00] um, you’re gonna be able to, to flourish if you really enjoy the school, really enjoy the atmosphere there, and, and even the social side of things and the classes, so.
Matt: Yeah. For sure. Well, Coach, I really appreciate it. Uh, wish you the best of luck this fall, and, uh, if you, if you get to any of the recruiting events down here in Bradenton, give me a shout, all right?
Coach: Wonderful. So. Thank you very much.
Matt: Thank you.
