ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Now two weeks into preseason practices, we take a moment to sit down with the new head soccer coaches for the Eckerd Tritons.
What attracted you to Eckerd College?
Women's head coach Danielle Fotopoulos: I've always wanted to be a head coach in Division II. The Sunshine State Conference is a very good soccer conference; all the teams are very strong and competitive. That's what really what attracted me to come to Eckerd. I feel like Eckerd is a place where I could come and our team could be competing quickly.
Men's head coach Steve Magee: I think the fact that Eckerd is a smaller college; it gives the chance to work with people and to focus on building relationships. Obviously the opportunity to be a head coach at a Division II institution was a big part of it. I feel at Eckerd we can be successful on the field and off it. More so than anything else I think it was the family atmosphere that I felt when I came here that attracted me the most to this position.
Describe how you want your teams to play and what fans can expect to see from Eckerd soccer.
DF: Our fans can expect to see hard working athletes, and a lot of organization on the field, and see the girls giving all that they have every time they take the field.
SM: We will be a hard working team, a disciplined team. We want to play attractive soccer. It's just a matter of building the blocks to get there, and I feel we have already begun doing that. Our fans can expect to see a team that when they cross the line they will be giving 100 percent every time; win, lose or draw for ninety minutes. The values of our team are going to be based a lot on that.
What are your first impressions of the squad a week into practice?
DF: I'm really impressed by their attitudes. They are definitely trying to impress and doing their best, and I think they really take pride playing here at Eckerd.
SM: I think they are a group that's coming together. Everyone is working hard right now. Fitness levels are improving daily. We are working towards being ready for September 3rd against Georgia Southwestern.
Can you describe the transition of going from a player to a coach and what you've learned during your coaching career?
DF: Being a player I had control over myself. Going into the coaching realm I am not able to make those changes in the game (as a player), that all has to be prepared and done before hand. I think that transition from player to coach is the hard part about it. The part that I really enjoy is the leadership aspect, and getting to inspire these athletes and to share my experiences as well as my knowledge.
SM: When I was a younger coach I approached the game with the mentality of a frustrated player. As I've matured and gotten more educated, I'm more of a thinker. I feel I can take a step back and look at situations, analyze a little more before jumping in with two feet. You do a lot of things on gut feeling from the sideline, and I've learned to trust that (most of the time). The passion I have for coaching certainly stems from my playing career. I feel privileged to be selected to lead the program at Eckerd. I think the coach has to have a good relationship with his players, and I think those relationships and team chemistry are big contributors to a team being successful.
