University of Hawaii Hilo Men’s Soccer – Coach Garrett Estrin

On today’s episode, I speak with Coach Garrett Estrin from the Hawaii Hilo Men’s Program. We talk about how he searches for well-rounded players both on the field and off. He describes the school’s sense of family, or “ohana.” Lastly, we discuss how they have a diverse roster that lends to their success. Learn more about the University of Hawaii Hilo Men’s Soccer.

Matt: [00:00:00] Hi, everybody. Welcome to discover college soccer. Happy today to be joined by coach Garrett Estrin from the university of Hawaii Hilo men’s program. Welcome coach. Thank you, Matt. Thanks for being here. I, uh, you know, I’m guessing maybe it was like you I’ve been to Hilo once and, uh, in Hawaii once with, with my wife.

And I think probably like everybody immediately in about the third or fourth day, you start trying to figure out, okay, what do I have to do to change my job and live here? Um, and so, so, uh, but so congratulations on the gig, which I know you, you just, uh, you kind of just got there, uh, recently, but. But let’s, um, you know, you got a long coaching career, so we kind of tap on some of those experiences as well.

Um, so what, and, and maybe, you know, you probably haven’t done a lot of this yet, but, but what’s it like recruiting to a school that for a lot of kids might be, you know, very far away and, and, and try to get that started. 

Coach: Yeah. I mean, it’s, uh, it’s been interesting so far. [00:01:00] We’ve, we’ve literally, uh, I kind of hit the ground running, um, got announced the end of may and.

With some of the summer tournaments coming up in June and July, uh, actually EC and L playoffs, um, in June, um, in SoCal in San Diego. Um, and me being from Southern California that actually played perfectly into my logistical location at that time. And so I was able to check that out and surf cut, but yeah, it’s, we’re getting emails and interests literally from, from everywhere.

Um, Every nook and cranny on the face of the earth. Uh, and we have, you know, we have some internationals here now, so there’s a lot of interest in our program. Um, you know, as you mentioned, like being on an Island’s kind of unique, so sure. No it’s a cool thing. 

Matt: Well, you mentioned ECNL. So where else is kind of gonna be on your radar for the next year, in terms of where you’re gonna gonna go to check out players?

What tournaments are gonna be kind of must see for you?

Coach: [00:02:00] Yeah, I mean, I’m originally from, uh, the desert area, Palm Springs of Southern California. And so, um, that’s where I, you know, I call home. Um, I grew up there and then, uh, moved away from college and then my wife and I relocated back. Um, but we, uh, we have good roots there.

So it’s like that’s that’s central base, right? So you can get anywhere, um, from there in about two hours when you’re talking about San Diego, LA orange county. So a lot of those type tournaments, um, silver lakes showcase is something that I’ve always been to typically coaching club. Um, and I’ve been there as a college coach as well.

And that’s always a really great event, um, over there in nor. As well as, you know, serv cup and, um, and, and now C and L playoffs when they’re in the San Diego area. That’s, I mean, all those venues are great soccer venues with so much talent and, and people from all, all different states and, and regions.

Matt: Sure. Um, what, what about camps? Is that something you guys can, can do [00:03:00] very well there? Or are you, um, do you like to do camps? Are there other places, or how does that. Yeah, 

Coach: I mean, I’ve done, uh, ID camps, um, personal ones that I’ve run with other college coaches, um, uh, a little bit during, uh, when things started to open up during COVID, um, when people started getting more comfortable, you know, about a year into it, we started, uh, hosting some locally in Southern California.

And then, um, and we had D D two D three NAI and JC level. And at the time and, uh, D one wasn’t allowed to attend those. So, you know, I. Open to, uh, being involved with those, uh, exact, uh, is a company that I’ve, I’ve done ID camps, uh, with, before. And they have ’em regionally. So, you know, whether it’s west Western region or Midwest region, um, you know, or even going south and, and east I’m, I’m open to going any direction.

Um, and I mean, at the end of the day there’s [00:04:00] there’s players literally everywhere. So it’s just about finding, you know, the right players that want to come to our program. That are a good match for our program. 

Matt: Well, you, you mentioned finding the right players, so kind of gimme an idea of, of what does that look like?

Both from an on the field and off the field, uh, aspects. What, what is it that you’re looking for when you’re either at a tournament or at a camp looking at players? 

Coach: Yeah, I mean, great question. I, I know, uh, you know, a lot of people have different, uh, variables, maybe they look at, but for me personally, um, I’m looking at players that are, you know, Maybe well rounded, um, you know, what are, what are they like on the field as a teammate?

You know? Um, are they a, a, a we before me type of guy, meaning, you know, are they more about the team, you know, and, uh, the team’s outcome, their own, other than their own individual success, um, you know, how do they treat their teammates on the field? How do they treat their staff? You know, their coaches, how do they, [00:05:00] how do they, you.

React when they come off the field, uh, during a substitution, how do they treat their family when they come off the pitch? Um, all those things are things that I look at because ultimately if they’re a jerk to their current coaches and their parents and, and their teammates, then more than likely they’re gonna be a jerk, you know, when they come into your program.

So to try and avoid those pitfalls, you know, I like to keep an eye on those, like intangibles as well. And again, like going back to, you know, well rounded. You know, what kind of student are they? Obviously they’re a student athlete and they’re a student first. And so that’ll take them a long way. Um, and, uh, you know, how well rounded are they, you know, what are their extra curricular activities?

Is, are they, are they involved in, you know, music or are, are they involved in other sports? You know? And, uh, you know, sometimes the kids are just solely focused on the one sport. Sometimes they get burnt out and, uh, you know, especially if they don’t have that outlet. [00:06:00] The end of the day, you know, maybe they’re, you know, musically inclined or they’re artistic in some other field, so, yeah.

Okay. 

Matt: Um, in terms of. You know, bringing recruits on campus and letting them see campus, you know, I, people always ask about official and unofficial visits and maybe that’s a little bit, even more important for you cuz someone’s gotta fly there. Right. So how do, how do official visits work? How what’s your budget like for that?

Or is it mostly unofficial? How’s it work there? Yeah. 

Coach: Another great question is, uh, so, so far what I’ve encountered, cuz I’ve been here such a short period of time is, um, we’ve had some people. Literally here on vacation that just cruises by the campus and wanna check out the facility. And now, you know, looking over, uh, I guess it’s my right shoulder, the new soccer facility.

It kind of lends itself. People just literally drive into that parking lot. And, and, you know, during preseason, we’re checking out, you know, some training sessions. Um, we had a family in from Germany that were just here for [00:07:00] vacation. Fun, of course play soccer. And he’s only a sophomore. You know, he is, you know, kind of perusing and checking out the field.

Um, but, but we did that, you know, even with our own daughter, we came and visited and checked out the school. Um, the end of the day, I, I think, uh, a lot probably will be end up being unofficial visits cuz I’ve, I’ve gotten email inquiries from parents and, and uh, potential student athletes that say, oh, we’re gonna be in, in town from this date to this date and hoping to catch a game.

And you know, maybe if we could meet someone. From the staff. So seems to be a lot of that currently. Um, again, you know, official visits for me. Um, it’s too early just because I haven’t had that opportunity to, um, really get my feet wet with that just cause, uh, I just got here literally before we started preseason.

So no, it 

Matt: makes sense. Um, you know, it. Lot of parents. One of the first questions they wanna know about is, [00:08:00] uh, what’s what’s it gonna cost me. So, uh, can you just gimme a general idea what the overall scholarship and financial aid picture looks like at the school? Not just on the athletic side, but, but academic and, and other scholarships and, and kind of what is an average, uh, player coming in?

Coach: Yeah. So basically, um, if you’re like living on campus in a, in a dorm. You know, you’re looking at, um, in the neighborhood of like 21,000 and change. Um, and I don’t know if these are current figures. Uh, this is from the 21, 22 academic year. So I guess that means as current as I can give you. Uh, so I mean, meals and housing, we’re looking at neighborhood of, uh, just over 8,000 and, um, we’ve got tuition in there as 7,300 and change.

And we’ve got, you know, different, uh, books and supplies, [00:09:00] the 1350. So that’s, if you’re living in one of the, the residence halls, um, obviously there’s different fees for, depending on which dorms you’re living in. We have, um, several different housing options and then there’s also, um, a breakdown for living off campus that puts it more in the neighborhood of, uh, 34, just under 35.

And again, Not with inflation. over of course 

Matt: the last don’t worry. I’m not I’m I’m not holding you to hard numbers here, 

Coach: just so, yeah. So yeah. And that’s for, uh, instate. So outstate, um, non-resident, we’re looking that, that first number I gave you living in the dorms goes from 21 to 34. And if you’re living off campus, it goes from 34 to 40.

So, um, in terms of scholarships, I think you were asking as well. Yeah. Um, to neglect that, you know, we have a combination of, uh, of good programs available through athletics. Um, whether it [00:10:00] be, um, tuition type based, um, waivers or, or scholarship based. So, um, we, we have pretty good packages that we can put together.

I mean, we have five internationals currently on the roster. Um, we only have five in-state, uh, players, so it’s not like we’re all Hawaii base players either. So that’s 10 players right there, and we have a, a bunch of California base players. And then we have some, uh, neighboring states where they get, uh, um, the WWE discount, um, for being a Western state.

And, uh, we even have kid from Michigan, you know, and talk about drastic change in weather so, and, and he’s actually, we have three transfers this year, two out of the portal. And one, uh, Juco transfer, but the two outta the portal both were, uh, um, it’s a D one and D two transfer out of, uh, the state of Illinois.

And so, um, again, I’m sure they’re enjoying this weather. Um, even with our, even with our daily rain, it’s, it’s still like a [00:11:00] 70 degree rain, you know, as a, as opposed to an iced chili, right. It. 

Matt: Awesome. Well, you know, let, let’s talk a little bit more about the school. Um, you know, I, like I said, I’ve been lucky enough to visit the city.

Didn’t get to, didn’t get to check out the school, but, you know, as a new person there to the school, kind of, what are some of your first impressions of things that are really cool, really awesome, that, that you like, and that you think, uh, recruits might like as well? 

Coach: Yeah, I’ve actually gone through this with some of, uh, well, all of our players and, uh, things that they like about being here, um, for the new ones and for the returners and some of the things that came out and I agree is, you know, there’s just a, kind of a great, uh, you know, vibe you get when you get here on campus.

The, the, the Helo community is very welcoming. Um, just, you know, everybody, you know, they talk about, uh, Ohana here, uh, you know, being family and, and whatnot. And so I think that kind of rings true. Um, when you’re in the [00:12:00] athletic department like this, cuz it’s not a huge athletic department, we don’t have football.

Um, and so we had our first contest on Sunday and we had, uh, volleyball team there. We had men’s basketball, we had women’s soccer. I mean, we had, um, you know, various other athletes, golf men’s golf. I mean, you really got that support from other sports and you really did feel like you were part of a family and.

I think that’s the, the vibe you get around here is, you know, you get, uh, that, that personal touch, I would say. No. That’s great. 

Matt: Well, in, in terms of, you know, students being students, not just athletes, you know, how, how do your players kind of balance their studies and their commitments to the sport? Uh, you know, I know it’s early in your season, but, uh, you know, I’m sure you got some, you got some long travel you’ll have to have.

So how does that all come into play and what kind of support mechanisms does the school provide to help, uh, everybody with that? 

Coach: Yeah, we actually have. An academic success lab. And we [00:13:00] have a great academic, uh, advisor for student athletes. And we actually have one as well for our international, um, student athletes too.

So they have a separate one specifically for our internationals. And so, um, you know, if you’re an incoming student, you know, you’re actually asked to put, um, hours in, you know, during the week in that academic lab. So you can make sure you, you know, you’re getting your studying in, um, you know, One more sport may vary from the other, just depending on what the coach is requiring.

Um, currently all our freshmen and all our transfers are required to put in hours during the week. And then also, um, our academic advisor. She also requires student athletes if they’re in, uh, a certain GPA range to put in hours. So that way, you know, if they’re needing a little bit of extra study time that they’re getting it done, um, because it is a time management crunch, you know, being a student.

We expect a lot of them, um, you know, their student first and foremost, like you mentioned, [00:14:00] and it’s, it’s, uh, it’s a delicate balancing act and a lot of them, uh, do a great job at it. We have some that have been, uh, past, you know, past semesters before my arrival, academic scholar, athletes, you know, through the conference and through the university.

So we really would want to promote that. And, and again, being a student athlete first and foremost, Putting student ahead. That is, is really important. So we can keep ’em doing what they’re supposed to be doing, uh, in the classroom and, and on the field. Oh, 

Matt: that’s great. Well, can I, I know you talked about, uh, your, your early morning practice, uh, this morning, but can you kind of just walk me through.

Maybe maybe this week is a good example. Just what, what was, what does a typical week look like for a player in terms of when are they training, eating, going to class, uh, travel? What does all that look like? Uh, on an average 

Coach: week. Yeah. Awesome question. Um, so, well, I’ll take last week and this week, so last week was [00:15:00] our first game, but it wasn’t until Sunday.

So we really had all week to prepare for it. And it was only the second week of school. We changed our schedule once school started for double days, obviously to going singles. And then, um, so we’re Monday, Wednesday, Fridays, we’re 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM training. Um, and then we share the facility obviously with our women’s team.

So, you know, we gotta balance that out. And um, so then Tuesday, Thursdays, we, we really drastically change it up. We go 6:00 AM to seven 30, we’re on the field and off the field, cuz again, we’re sharing the facility. So women’s soccer comes. And then we go straight from there into strength conditioning on those two days.

Um, we don’t wanna do really heavy weights here in season. We’re just trying to keep them kind of more of a maintenance thing and be able to work on, you know, different areas of body injury prevention. And we get them in and out of there in an hour, if they wanna stay longer, they can. But I mean, we’re, we’re not keeping ’em, [00:16:00] um, longer than that, cuz lot of ’em have classes to get on to after.

And then, um, you know, last week in preparation, you know, we’re doing, um, team meetings, um, you know, game planning and whatnot on, uh, Friday night in preparation for Sunday. And then Saturday was kind of just a walkthrough for like set plays and, you know, a little bit of competition, um, but nothing too crazy.

And then, you know, really prepping, um, like I said, for the competition the next day, Walkthroughs with set pieces and, and how we’re matching up. And this week is, is slightly different. You know, we had, uh, the match Sunday. So, uh, Monday holiday, actually, they got the day off. So a little bit of recovery from the game, which is necessary and, and required and, uh, so we got back at, into it today and then tomorrow, Thursday, and then we play on Friday.

So then we’ll be traveling to the bay area. So this week’s gonna be looking a little bit [00:17:00] different for all of us, me included, cuz now we’re prepping for one opponent on Friday prepping to travel the following day and prepping for two opponents in the bay area. So this is, uh, this would be a good test for all of them because now we throw in, you know, the travel to the mainland and, and how that affects us.

And, and hopefully it doesn’t, but you know, um, at the end of the day, we’ll get there. Um, a couple days before our first match and then play on the, on September 12th and 14th and, uh, and then travel back the following day. So that’s definitely gonna be a lot for them to balance, but I’m sure, you know, that’s, that’s something they can handle, especially the returners can help the, the new players.

Cause we pretty much have like a 50, 50 split right now, a returners and incoming players. And so hopefully the guys with experience can kind of lend the helping hand of the new players. Okay, 

Matt: well speak. Speaking of players, do you have a, a roster size that you are looking to hit? I mean, I understand this year may be a, [00:18:00] an anomaly since you started so early, but let’s just think about next year.

Is there a specific roster size you, you would like to have there? 

Coach: Well, I will say we, we did start at 27 this year. Uh, I, we started at 27 the summer before I arrived. and then unfortunately we had three injuries to players. One international, who was a returner and, and two domestic players that all three of ’em had surgeries.

So they did not make it on campus. And, uh, two will be here in the spring. And, uh, so you go immediately from 27 to 24, but you think, oh, it’s still an okay number. But as you know, I mean, once you start getting into it, that changes drastically. So, you know, we went from 24 and, and we’ve got, you know, Maybe 22 healthy and then you have another couple get banged up.

So, you know, I think that 27 number is a good number to shoot for. Um, uh, we travel 18 for most of our trips. [00:19:00] Um, we will travel 21 at the end of the season cause we have a huge, uh, four game in conference road trip. And because we have four games over a span of 10 days, you know, we’ll take some extra bodies, but yeah, it’s, it’s um, A little bit challenging, cuz you’re not just hopping in a bus or a van, you know, you’re hopping on a plane.

So we do have some constraints on maybe travel size. But, um, definitely, uh, if I can hover between like 27 to 30 in case, you know, what has happened this summer happens again. You’re still okay. Um, cuz right now with one game under our belt, we’ve gotten a couple of bumps and bruises and, and then again, the numbers start.

Uh, slightly, and then you start to get a little bit worried about who’s available for your road trip. So, 

Matt: right. Um, what about, uh, we talked about roster size. What about staff size? What what’s, what’s your staff look like? Uh, what support staff does the athletic department offer to help the program as well?

Coach: Yeah, so we have a [00:20:00] fairly small staff here. Uh, we have one, uh, assistant that’s been here with pretty much, most like iterations of, of the soccer program. He’s, uh, he kind of kept the program afloat until they hired me, um, Terry Imani and he’s done a great job of just keeping things going. Uh, he did a lot of the recruiting, um, until I got hired and, uh, all the logistics.

And so I’m really grateful for that because when I got here, I could just, you know, really get into things and not have to worry about like the, the minor details that he already handle. And, um, then I brought another coach in from California, um, from my area. And, um, he’s helping with tactics and technical and strength conditioning.

And then we have two volunteer assistants and one happens to be a, a business professor on our campus. And one is a, a former player and, uh, and he’s been on staff, but, [00:21:00] um, due to his work commitment, he can only be a volunteer assistant this year. It’s really, you know, the three main ones and then, um, business instructor, he’s almost like a, um, a faculty liaison, if you will, you know, for our, our program, but he is definitely, um, available and provides like scouting for us and whatnot.

And then, um, whenever they’re available, both volunteer assistance, you know, are definitely beneficial to have more, more people around. So it’s a fairly small staff in that respect, but then we have really good support. From our athletic department as well. And, uh, our associate athletic director is very hands on and our athletic director is very, uh, very interested in the sport of soccer cause uh, his past history at some other programs that he’s had success with.

So he takes a lot of pride in, in all sports, but he, I know he’s, uh, he’s really pushing to make sure soccer, uh, stays in [00:22:00] the mix and, and is competitive in the pack west. 

Matt: That’s tremendous. Well, you, you’ve given us a lot of info here and, and I appreciate the time and I always like to end these with kind of the last thing is what else would you like folks to know?

What didn’t we talk about? Whether it’s school related soccer related, recruiting, related, whatever you want. Uh, the floor is yours. 

Coach: Yeah, I would just say that. Um, another great question is we’re just in a very unique environ. And not many schools can say that they’re, uh, literally on an island. Um, and especially Burman’s soccer, you know, it’s, it’s us, um, on the big island here and Hilo, and then there’s only two other over on, uh, in Oahu.

And, uh, so not many can, can make that claim. And I would say, just come check out, you know, on your next vacation or come check out. A game of ours on the mainland, um, and see if this program’s a good fit for you. And, and, uh, I said, we’re gaining a lot of interest from all over [00:23:00] and it’s, uh, it’s really exciting times.

Matt: Awesome coach. Well, I wish you the best of luck in this first season and you’re off to a good start at one and oh, so just keep that going. And, uh, and I think I’ll have to convince my wife that, you know, I need an in person interview, uh, somehow, and, and to get back over there, that’s for sure. 

Coach: Pre and postgame interviews I think would be perfect.

Matt: that’s great over great idea. Well, if you, if you manage to find, uh, your way as far away from Hilo as possible and in Bradenton, Florida, give me a shout and, uh, we’ll do, and we’ll do it the other way. So I appreciate it, coach and best of luck. 

Coach: Thank you, Matt. Appreciate it. Thank you. Take care.