In this interview we got to speak with David Yates, the current assistant soccer coach at the University of Mary Washington. Yates will be heading into his 4th year as assistant at UMW and has previous experience at New England College and Virginia Military Institute (VMI) serving as an assistant at both schools. In talking to Coach Yates we learn more about his role on the coaching staff at the DIII level and how he recruits players to improve the program. Let's see what he has to say:
Q: When should recruits start looking to get on your radar?
A: I think for us the earlier the better. I would say, for the DIII level, I think going into your sophomore year, specifically, if you want to go and play college soccer, that's the best time. We have kids that are reaching out to us as freshmen. So the more you get ahead of it, the better you set yourself up.
Related: Rate the University of Mary Washington
Q: What is the best way for recruits to get seen at the DIII level?
A: For the DIII level the more ID camps, you can make it to the better now, I don't suggest just going to every camp possible, I think you need to pick and choose and be logistical. But that certainly is one way. [Also] sending out schedules for all showcases that you're attending. And just trying to get as much exposure as possible.
Related: Recruiting Advice: College Showcases vs. ID Camps
Q: What is the number one thing you look for in a recruit?
A: I would say for us, we are looking for recruits that are well rounded. We want guys that have good grades, we want guys that are active in their community, we want guys that, obviously, are top tier players and are going to make an impact at our level.
Q: What is the best way for you as an assistant coach to help kids get settled in freshman year?
A: So if you're present, and you're there at the school every day, it's just finding a way to be connected and really get to meet the players. I think that's super important getting to know what they're into outside of soccer, getting to know kind of what gets them ticking.
Q: How do you help players improve on their previous season if they've played well? Or if they played badly?
A: The more individual sessions and things you can do with guys outside of the normal Fall season, obviously you have your limitations [at the DIII level]. And then again, I think having an open door policy is really [important], people should be able to come in, be able to chat about what they want to improve on. Giving them good constructive feedback in positive ways [so] that they can actually achieve those goals.
Related: Rate your Coaches, Facilities, and Campus Visits
Q: What is your main role as an assistant at UMW?
A: I think my main role is just to kind of be able to do whatever [head coach] Kilby and [whatever the players] need help with is the biggest thing. Whether it's film analysis, whether it's planning training sessions, whether it's recruiting, whether it's, you know, organizing meals, whether it's getting stuff set up for fundraising, activities, banquets, etc. It just depends on what the most important task is at that moment.
Q: What is the hardest thing or about being a coach at the DIII level?
A: The biggest difficulty I think is just time management. It's a grind, man, especially if you're doing the club soccer stuff on the side, which I have been, from probably August to December you don't have any days off. You know, for myself, this past year, I was going Monday through Sunday, no breaks.
Q: What is the most rewarding thing about being a college coach?
A: I think the biggest thing and the most rewarding thing as a college coach is at the end of the day, seeing that every player is enjoying the program or just enjoying the camaraderie that happens within these different colleges and universities that I've been a part of.
Coach Yates has seen success at multiple different colleges and brings a high pedigree of coaching experience. We were so lucky to be able to speak with him and learn more about his role and how he recruits players.
Have an idea for a story or a question you need answered? Want to set up an interview with us? Email us at [email protected]
* Originally published on October 17, 2022, by Max Brown
