Paul Lawrence Reviews

I had the opportunity to be coached by Paul for 2 years out of my 4-year career. Paul single-handedly turned our program completely around from being voted to finish last in my freshmen season to record breaking results by my sophomore year - undefeated season, conference champions, first MCAA tourney appearance in school history, and not to mention this year’s team inducted to the Hall of Fame. As he moved up to coach Division 2, I hear he also turned that program around as well. I’ll admit, Paul might not have the most conventional coaching style, but it worked. Paul was passionate and did his job thoroughly. I will also admit that Paul was involved in our personal lives, but I took that as someone who cared about us and his European background might have contributed to his odd social skills. Our team always had a laugh/good time about that aspect of Paul. We definitely bonded as a team over that, and Paul always included team bonding - even let us do a Paul Lawrence Roast. Paul ‘s coaching style was tough, thorough and very well planned. Any player who can’t take criticism or can’t handle being coached by someone tough, I’m sorry but you’re in the wrong sport. It makes me sad to see some of these negative reviews about him, but from my experience, if you work hard and you are talented, you’re going to get playing time - under Paul, under any coach. If you’re not getting playing time, it’s time to reevaluate your own perception of your level of skill. High school doesn’t compare to college level soccer at ANY division. Paul’s job is to win, and he does his job very well. If you want to be a part of a team that wins, I highly recommend being coached by him. If you want to be part of a team where you are constantly having fun and getting a lot of playing time without having collegiate-level skill, I recommend playing at your local recreational adult soccer leagues.

My daughter was recruited by and played for Paul for two years. She enjoyed playing for Paul. He did a great job creating a positive and productive team culture with an emphasis on the overall wellness of the players. Paul would always make sure his athletes had a voice and were heard. I never heard Paul berate or belittle any athletes on or off the field. He was the constant professional.

I did not have a good experience as a player. Didn’t learn a lot about soccer or became a better player, was lied to about scholarship money, and always asked inappropriate questions about my personal life. Myself along with many, many others transferred after a season.

Crazy reading those first 2 reviews! “If the team does poor it’s because the Coach, but if a team does well it’s because the team..” This was a group effort. Paul built his team from the bottom to a Championship team. He decided who plays and when, and the girls executed. They all worked hard. It’s clear that his recruiting made a successful team.

Watching what they achieved this past season as a former player really got me thinking. His methods and approach does work if people buy in and stop complaining about stupid things. His passion for the program, handwork and recruitment is now paying off and that is clear to former players. He is very intense on game days, his sessions very tactical, but I believe that helps get results and a reaction from players on the field. A lot of my friends enjoyed his style and funny personality. Love him or hate him, he has proven now his style and approach does work. He was always honest with me, and tried to help me with some items away from soccer, I will always remember that about him. Never did I think this program could win a championship, clearly a lot is going right there. Even to this day I connect with coach with a text now and again. He also made an effort with my family, built a relationship with them. I hope he stays and wins another championship.

This coach is unbelievable, yes he won coach of the year, but it’s not from his coaching style. It’s because of his team. That team worked their butts off just prove to everyone they were worth something. In games when they would be losing they would put everything in to get a goal. When they would be tied and he would say “oh that’s good enough just defend now” when they as a team knew they wanted more. His training sessions are the same things every time they practice. He is way too involved with his players, his players parents when we know this is our experience not their parents. He always wants to know about our friends and social life and that’s crossing a line. You’re a coach not a friend. He shows us every day that he doesn’t know what he’s doing and they just have to sit there and take it because what else are they to do. This coach needs to change or they need a new coach. Someone who will push them even when they are in a situation where they shouldn’t win or shouldn’t tie. They need someone but not him.

I don’t know how this guy even got hired but truly the most clueless, unorganized, inconsiderate coach I’ve ever experienced. I thought when I got to the college level I’d get to train with the best, but this man never actually knew what it was like to play a college sport let alone the sport he actually coaches. Not to mention he had the temper of a 5 year old and would constantly embarrass the program during games with his little outbursts. Some notable ones include punting the game ball across the field in the middle of a game, shoving a player on the other team telling her to “get out of his face”, and drop kicking a corner flag. He has no idea how to relate to his players, constantly asking them inappropriate and personal questions and never really helping with their actual playing abilities. If you’re in high school and looking to play in college, please for your own sanity do not come here. He will ruin soccer for you.