The University of Akron Athletics
Coach's Corner: Herlihy's Reflection
December 15 | Women's Soccer
AKRON, Ohio – Head coach Noreen Herlihy took over the Akron women's soccer program in 2015, and although the team is not where she wants it to be just yet, the team has shown significant improvement since last year and Herlihy believes the future is bright for the Zips on the pitch.
Rebuilding a program is no easy task, it takes work. Just ask any coach that has been faced with a similar situation. Despite wanting to win, when attempting to revamp a program, Herlihy knows it will take time.
"As a coach, of course you want to win immediately. But I believe when you are brought in to rebuild a program, you must be patient and put things in place that are going to sustain over time. There is no quick fix," said Herlihy. "When someone new comes in, and changes are taking place (even if for the better), sometimes that change can be an adjustment for players and even the immediate support staff, so you have to be mindful of that."
In Herlihy's short time here, you can see a difference that she and her coaching staff have already made on and off the field.
"I have been very pleased with the response we have received from the players and those around us because it shows me they too, want to win," stated Herlihy. "Akron women's soccer did have some success in the past, but that hasn't been the case for a while now, but I am absolutely confident we have all the tools in place here to be successful."
No matter what division or conference you play in, there are things that any coaching staff has to overcome, and that is no different especially when recruiting players.
"I think one of the biggest challenges when you take over a program is when a recruit may look at your record and draw a quick conclusion. While leagues standings don't lie, it doesn't present the whole picture," said Herlihy. "The Mid-American Conference is very competitive, for example, of the four teams that made it to the 2016 MAC Final Four, we lost to one, the 2016 MAC champions, tied two of them, and beat one, so we know what can be achieved. We know we can compete and we are extremely ambitious, so we want to recruit players with a drive to be part of our exciting future and want to play an integral part in the future successes of the Zips women's soccer program."
There are many colleges across the nation that a student-athlete can attend to continue their education and playing careers. But coach Herlihy truly believes that the University of Akron is one of a kind and can draw the attention of many athletes.
"There are many universities out there that have great academics just like Akron. However, as a student-athlete, to complement our excellent academic programs, we have our state-of-the-art athletic facilities that include an amazing indoor arena," said Herlihy. "Plus we can genuinely boast about having the premier soccer stadium in the league, and one of the best in the nation. It is a soccer specific facility with all the amenities and an impeccable natural grass playing surface. Playing at home at FirstEnergy Stadium on a Friday night under the lights is special for any player."
When coach Herlihy began career at Akron, she wanted to instill a new culture to the program. Like any coach, Herlihy wants to bring a winning culture to the Zips, just like she built during her previous tenure at Slippery Rock University that included 18 winning seasons, multiple conference titles, and numerous national rankings. Although a winning culture is important, coach Herlihy said that there is so much more to creating a positive culture.
"Primarily, it's about creating a culture that aligns with your core values," said Herlihy. "I'm fortunate that I do have the experience of building a program from my previous university and looking to utilize those experiences to rebuild the Akron program. It takes a collective effort and it's also important to have good people that compliment you, so that together everyone is working for the common goal. Creating a winning culture doesn't happen overnight, it must evolve over time."
Herlihy is very passionate about the game of soccer and about helping make the Zips program great, but when you see her on the sideline or at practice she is as easy going as anyone.
"I do have high expectations, but it starts with having those high expectations of myself, first and foremost! I do, however, believe in having a training environment where we can have a bit of a laugh also, and we do, but everyone is still expected to be working hard. It is made very clear that if we don't have a basic good work ethic, we will never be successful. Hard work is a minimum requirement for everyone associated with the program and we must commit to it every day. If we want to be successful in the future, we must succeed in our daily efforts."
Despite the early results on the field, Herlihy and her staff have made great strides so far. The future of the Akron women's soccer program is bright and will only grow as Herlihy and her staff continues to instill their experience and develop the culture within the program.
"There's been a lot evaluation and work being done since I got here last year, and we keep adding layers of improvement to all facets of the program as we see it and that takes time," said Herlihy. "I have a clear vision for the future and know this is a process, I always look to the future. With putting a proper foundation in place which includes high standards, expectations, and developing a culture, it paves the way for future successes and results will follow."
Herlihy believes a program that is built in the right way and wins, but can actually sustain it, that is the true measure of success.
"I am very excited for the future and am confident in due time, Akron women's soccer will be one of the top teams in the MAC," stated Herlihy. "We have a great men's team here, one of the best in the Nation, and so it is a positive thing that our players are able to watch that success and be up close to it. We are ambitious and I have no doubt future players that will be joining the Akron women's soccer program next year, and after that, will benefit from the work being done right now and will be a part of the success to come."
