Anatomy of a coaching staff: The men behind UVU soccer: Part 2

Photo by Brad Curnow

In the first part of this series outlining the coaching staff of the Utah Valley University men’s soccer team, we detailed the responsibilities of associate head coach Matt Ellinger. Working alongside head coach Greg Maas and Ellinger is Jonny Broadhead, an assistant coach. Maas says Broadhead is invaluable to have around, particularly for the impact he has on the players.

“He is a good, young, ambitious coach who comes with experience at the Division II level. I’ve been fortunate to work with Johnny in years past at our Olympic development program so I know firsthand what he’s like as an assistant coach,” said Maas. “He’s eager, he’s energetic, he’s real positive with the players. He’s not afraid to get his hands dirty.”

Broadhead has the same responsibilities on the field as the other coaches, including leading practice and pre-game warmups. Ellinger describes him as a players’ coach. While Broadhead agrees with that assessment, he’s cautious about the label.

“Everyone wants to be at times a players’ coach and at times you want to be a leader. If you look at it as a parent to a kid, you want to make sure they make the right decisions,” said Broadhead. “But [Maas and Ellinger] do a good job with it and I’m not going to speak up over them. When it needs to be said they’ll clear it up right away, so my job is to read players’ reactions and make sure that they still feel worthwhile and important, which they do. I think it’s important that they have me as a bridge at times, but I’ve got to make sure I am a coach too.”

Broadhead also organizes the team’s activities on the road. It’s important that the staff knows one another well and are comfortable with each other so they stay on the same page. Broadhead and Ellinger try to plan meals and activities they know Maas would approve of without having to ask him.

“Coach [Maas] doesn’t want to deal with much other than game plans,” said Broadhead. “We make sure there’s no errors or anything. That’s kind of a small bit other than practice and games.”

In regards to his expectations for the young season, Broadhead maintains a narrow focus on his job, which he sees as setting the players up for success.

“I expect us to do our part and give the players the proper game plan and the proper training they need to be prepared for each situation,” said Broadhead. “These players are so hungry and so talented, it’s just…having a plan that they all come together and agree to. If we go further than last year that won’t be a surprise to me.”

Rounding out the staff is volunteer assistant and goalkeepers coach Eric Landon, who is entering his first season with the team. Landon brings a lot of experience as both a former player and a coach, as he is currently the director of coaching for the Utah Youth Soccer Association.

“He’s been a tremendous friend and colleague of mine ever since I moved here to Utah in 2001,” said Maas. “His ability as a former professional goalkeeper is something that will be a tremendous asset to our goalkeeper corps.”

Landon’s work with the goalkeepers is already paying off. This was evident when redshirt sophomore Elliot Rubio made some incredibly athletic saves in the closing minutes of the Wolverines’ season opening 2-1 win over No. 20 Washington.