The new Head Women's Soccer Coach at the University of Southern California is a long way from his childhood days in Alabama. Keidane McAlpine, the 2013 PAC-12 Coach of the Year, reflects on his coaching career, his current USC team, and the World Cup. Follow McAlpine on twitter @Kmcdane
Soccer Banter: This past offseason you traded jobs within the Pac-12, going from Washington State to USC. What made this the right move for you?
Keidane McAlpine: The main reason for my move didn’t have anything to do with either institution. It was a good move for me personally. I really enjoyed my time at Washington State and the administration was fantastic to me. I am very thankful and proud of my time there!
Having said that, USC feels comfortable to me. I'm from the south and love the warm weather. I went to a private school with a good academic reputation and loads of tradition. Many of the schools I've been involved with have a great family-like fan base. USC is all of that, but at the highest end of the spectrum. It's exciting to have the ability to attract the kinds of highly motivated and talented women that USC draws. It is a challenge that I wasn't thinking would come at this point, but very happy to have.
SB: Six months into the job and integrating your ideas within the program, how has the transition been and what are your thoughts on the team heading into preseason?
Soccer Banter: This past offseason you traded jobs within the Pac-12, going from Washington State to USC. What made this the right move for you?
Keidane McAlpine: The main reason for my move didn’t have anything to do with either institution. It was a good move for me personally. I really enjoyed my time at Washington State and the administration was fantastic to me. I am very thankful and proud of my time there!
Having said that, USC feels comfortable to me. I'm from the south and love the warm weather. I went to a private school with a good academic reputation and loads of tradition. Many of the schools I've been involved with have a great family-like fan base. USC is all of that, but at the highest end of the spectrum. It's exciting to have the ability to attract the kinds of highly motivated and talented women that USC draws. It is a challenge that I wasn't thinking would come at this point, but very happy to have.
SB: Six months into the job and integrating your ideas within the program, how has the transition been and what are your thoughts on the team heading into preseason?
KM: It has been a amazingly fast 6-7 months. This group of women has been so incredibly open and hungry for what we are trying to do. There were nerves and some tough moments, but they have really been welcoming. We have a talented group that needs to have some experiences together, so that we can create the chemistry and habits for consistent performances. We will be competitive from a talent standpoint, but have to learn how to do the small things.
SB: You have climbed the proverbial coaching ladder from NAIA assistant coach to one of the top women's positions in the country - what advice would you have for young coaches hoping to mimic your ascent?
KM: Number one - there is no right way to get here. I have been incredibly blessed by the teams, people, and breaks along the way. This is what I tried to do:
SB: With recruiting happening earlier and earlier in the women's game, what are you and your staff looking for in players?
KM: We are looking for good character kids with a special quality that stands out. I really don't care what that quality is. It could be heading, speed, passing, tackling, communication, or whatever. After that, we choose the players whose quality, best fills our team's needs.
SB: You have climbed the proverbial coaching ladder from NAIA assistant coach to one of the top women's positions in the country - what advice would you have for young coaches hoping to mimic your ascent?
KM: Number one - there is no right way to get here. I have been incredibly blessed by the teams, people, and breaks along the way. This is what I tried to do:
- I tried to constantly work on my craft.
- I coached under-nine. I did skill sessions. I coached good teams. I coached bad teams. I was searching for my method and voice.
- I studied coaches of all sports.
- When I was an assistant, I took notes as if I was the head coach. What would I do? How would I do it?
- I constantly searched for even the smallest things to add to my coaching. Coaching is plagiarism.
- Most importantly, I relied on a lot of great mentors and people that gave me advice and guidance along the way.
SB: With recruiting happening earlier and earlier in the women's game, what are you and your staff looking for in players?
KM: We are looking for good character kids with a special quality that stands out. I really don't care what that quality is. It could be heading, speed, passing, tackling, communication, or whatever. After that, we choose the players whose quality, best fills our team's needs.
SB: New school, but this will be your third year coaching in the PAC-12, what are your thoughts on the league and the upcoming season?
KM: We have some amazing coaches and players in the PAC-12! Last year had some great and exciting games. This year looks like it is going to be even better. We are all chasing UCLA, the defending National Champions, but there are many teams in this league that can make a run. I encourage people to watch as many games on the PAC-12 network as possible. You will be entertained!
SB: Looking back at the World Cup - anything in particular that you took away from it? Teams, tactics, coaches, players?
KM: I love the fact that so many teams played attacking soccer in this World Cup. The way that the teams attacked differed, but the willingness to take the risk made this World Cup one of the best ever. The goalkeeping was very good and still we saw goals and more goals. I like my teams to play with that mindset, and the World Cup was a great teaching tool for them. It also brought many new fans to the game. I just hope that we can keep people excited about the game!
2014 College Soccer Interviews
Neil Stafford - University of Cincinnati Head Women's Soccer Coach
Eric Da Costa - Quinnipiac University Head Men's Soccer Coach
David DiIanni - University of Iowa Head Women's Soccer Coach
Ian McIntyre - Syracuse University Head Men's Soccer Coach
KM: We have some amazing coaches and players in the PAC-12! Last year had some great and exciting games. This year looks like it is going to be even better. We are all chasing UCLA, the defending National Champions, but there are many teams in this league that can make a run. I encourage people to watch as many games on the PAC-12 network as possible. You will be entertained!
SB: Looking back at the World Cup - anything in particular that you took away from it? Teams, tactics, coaches, players?
KM: I love the fact that so many teams played attacking soccer in this World Cup. The way that the teams attacked differed, but the willingness to take the risk made this World Cup one of the best ever. The goalkeeping was very good and still we saw goals and more goals. I like my teams to play with that mindset, and the World Cup was a great teaching tool for them. It also brought many new fans to the game. I just hope that we can keep people excited about the game!
2014 College Soccer Interviews
Neil Stafford - University of Cincinnati Head Women's Soccer Coach
Eric Da Costa - Quinnipiac University Head Men's Soccer Coach
David DiIanni - University of Iowa Head Women's Soccer Coach
Ian McIntyre - Syracuse University Head Men's Soccer Coach
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