Sarah is the Assistant Women’s Soccer Coach with Saint Leo University located in Florida, and she is a fellow member of the United Soccer Coaches 30 Under 30 Class of 2019-2020. During our conversation, we discuss her transition from coaching high school to college while the program was in its inaugural season, comparing recruiting to completing a puzzle, and the joy of session planning.

IG: @coachsarahleiby; @saintleowsoc

0:25 background in soccer and current role

2:00 Sarah’s ability to balance soccer and a career in forestry

3:08 soccer in Alaska is limited

3:45 introduction to coaching as an assistant coach for a high school boys’ team

5:30 experience as a female coach coaching male players

8:50 lessons learned from the Head Coach at the high school

10:30 advice to coaches to develop a culture where the leaders within the team are empowered and can pass on those skills to teammates

11:20 transitioning from the high school to college level of coaching

12:40 types of challenges encountered during the inaugural season

14:50 changes perceived moving from year 1 to year 2

16:25 surprised by the knowledge gap between the diamonds in the rough vs. those better off with soccer IQ

18:00 the demand of the role changed from one assistantship to another

19:15 favorite/ most challenging part of the admin job of college coaching

23:00 describing Sarah’s time with Saint Leo’s

23:55 key lessons learned from her mentors

26:20 the enjoyment of session planning

28:05 thoughts on the 30 Under 30 Program

31:45 going into the blended version of coach education – blended being online and in-person

33:15 positive outlook for remainder of 2020

35:00 final three coaching points

37:59 one piece of advice for any coach

--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/full90coaching/support