Q & A with Women's Soccer Coach Denise Schilte-Brown
With practice in full swing, women's soccer Coach Denise Schilte-Brown took time to sit down with GoUSFBulls.com to answer a few questions about the upcoming season.
What have you learned as a coach? What might you do different than last year?
I think I, along with my staff, have learned a lot over the last year. I think every year you grow as a coach. For me, it was very exciting for me to jump right into a new program. I learned that you have to look at your past, successes and failures, and figure out what you have done. You sort it out and you figure out what has brought you success in the past and how to implement it here. You can't move forward without the lessons learned in the past. I tried to apply some things last season that I found successful at VCU but I had to realize that each situation is unique and be patient with the process. Having a full year to digest my experience and grow from my year here has benefitted me and has helped me develop as a coach.
What are some of the expectations do you have for you team this year?
I expect that this season is going to be a fun season but at the same time I expect it to be a difficult season. I am going welcome the opportunities that are a challenge, which I think are going to be numerous, especially with this many new players. We are going to try to get better everyday, every practice, every game which is a challenge, emotionally and physically. I'm prepared for a challenging season but I am excited for it all at the same time.
What players will you look to for leadership?
I expect a lot from of our returners. I expect them all to lead and to set a strong example for the new comers. I have high standards for all my returning players. They have had a full year with me and my staff. They know what we want from them. We hope that they share that knowledge with the new players. That helps us get on the same page and be on the same track towards our goals. I expect Jeanette Dyer to be a strong personality and a strong voice on and off the field.
Anna Lea Crowe has a good voice and Mallori (Lofton-Malachi) in goal. That is their strength as people that they are very vocal and have strong personalities.
What will the strength of this team be?
It is hard to tell. I hope that it is going to be heart. It is a younger team so we should have drive and determination. I think this is going to be resilient. We are going get knocked down but were going to get back up.
What has the impact of this new recruiting class been?
I think we did a great job recruiting. We are heading in the right direction. We feel that each recruiting class will get stronger each year. Having some time to target the players we wanted was a real benefit. I think we brought in good players. We added strength and speed and height and depth. I think depth is really important when you are playing so many games in three months. However, the biggest thing is that this team has committed to the physicality's of the game. They all came in and worked over the summer. They got in the weight room and they are passing their fitness tests. That is an extreme change from last season. This team is more self motivated and doing it on there own.
Who will be a surprise this fall?
For me, the newcomers will be a surprise. I have a lot of trust in my assistant coaches in the job they do. Randy Belli does a great job recruiting. There are players out there that I haven't seen so they are a welcomed surprise to me, not necessarily to the program. It is a really exciting time for me to see these great kids. I put my blind faith in Randy to bring in players and he did not disappoint.
What impact will the newly renovated USF Soccer Stadium have on the 2008?
I am extremely excited for the stadium this year. For me, the big change has been Bill McGillis. He has changed the culture at USF. It is very demanding and structured and there are high expectations from the bottom up. He has put a high importance on all the sports here at USF. That has been a big change here at USF in a short period. He has a high expectation for his staff. I feel we will get a better product before the game and after the game and more fans in the stands. I think along with the stadium, his work has brought a whole new look to the program.
How do you approach the BIG EAST Conference?
As a coach, I think we all want to be challenged and be challenged to the highest pinnacle that there is. That is what the BIG EAST is for me. I think it is best conference in the country. Having three teams go to the Elite Eight is incredible, If there is an arena to bring my team in and prove themselves and myself as a coach then the BIG EAST is the arena I want to be in. Game in and game out we are going to be challenged and I wouldn't want it any other way.
What impact does the loss of Lindsay Brauer as player and what will she bring to the team as a coach?
You can't replace Lindsay. You don't even try. You switch your focus. You manage in a different way. But you can't replace her, she is that good, the best in the programs history. It is motivating for me to make the most of every session and every game. Because I have the opportunity to still do it. To have her there as a reminded, she's inspirational. She has handled herself with such maturity and courage. It makes me want to face the season the same way. I hope that the players see that. The best way for them to see that is for her to be around and get to know her and get to know her as a person. What is going to happen is they are going to get to know her and be blown away by the amazing person that she and want to honor her for that. They will want to go out there and get the job done.
