Auburn, ME – For Rob Rodriguez, making the switch from coaching club to college was as smooth as he could've ever hoped for. He began coaching in Connecticut in 1990 with the Naugatuck Youth Soccer program focusing on the recreational level. When he relocated to Maine in 1993 and found limited soccer opportunities in his area, he created the Sacopee Valley Soccer Club (SVSC) in 1995. He would continue to grow the club and eventually serve on the board of directors for Soccer Maine until 2021. After ten years with the SVSC, he made the leap to the premier level in the early stages of the Velocity Premier Soccer Club. Rodriguez would stay involved with Velocity until 2016 when he was hired at CMCC as the head women's soccer coach.
Taking over a program can be tough in some aspects, especially being new to the college world. However, with his experience starting a program at the club level and recruiting kids to play for him at Velocity, he came in with more experience than most coaches. Rodriguez shared, "In the club world you actually work both sides of the recruiting table by looking to recruit players to your club and then after developing them, looking to get them recruited to college teams." The experience from the club environment has helped him immensely in terms of having the ability to find under valued players who are being overlooked by many colleges. Coach Rodriguez loves the recruiting process and has even expanded his range from New England to Mississippi. When he travels to his home in Mississippi, it is conveniently located close to a complex that hosts many club soccer tournaments. Now when he is out there visiting, he can also work on recruiting.
In terms of his coaching style, he is a strong believer in developing very versatile players who can step up into any role on the field when needed. All of his teams become familiar with different formations and playing styles so that they are best able to adapt well to opponents' tactics. In order to keep up with this high intensity, fitness is essential for players in his program as he trains them to become strong second-half game finishers. When recruiting players to fit into this style of play, he doesn't focus on positions. "We look for the best available and most athletic players regardless of position because we know we can cross-train them to fit our playing style, which is very fluid, move and replace system that relies more on field coverage than positional play," said Rodriguez. The relationships and connections he has with his players with the thought that maybe he can play even a small role in helping them become successful later in life is what keeps him coaching. He is not one to yell at his players and wants them to enjoy being together and look forward to practices and games. Current and former players become part of his family as watching them grow and develop as athletes and people is the most rewarding part of the coaching job.
No matter what season it is, you can bet money on seeing Coach Rodriguez at any sporting event. He is a fixture at basketball games, running the concession stand with his players and can be spotted at softball/baseball games with his two dogs. Rodriguez adds, "I'm a big believer in athletes supporting athletes and teams supporting teams." For Coach Rodriguez he is a leader by example, and wouldn't ask his players to support the other teams at CM if he wouldn't do it himself. There's no doubt that his players love seeing him here as often as they do. With some playing other sports as well, it is encouraging to know your other coach is just as supportive of you off the soccer field. The supportive environment between the teams here at CM is something that sets us apart from other colleges. Our teams look for it when they are on the road, to see if the opponent has other teams at their school watching and it just doesn't happen.
When asked what his ideal day away from soccer would be, Rodriguez laughed, "I'll let you know if it ever happens. Just kidding. Any time spent with my wife Joyce and my two dogs Bailey and Abby is valuable time whether we're hiking, walking a beach with them or just sitting on the porch watching them play in the yard." With little down time between coaching and his full-time job, Coach Rodriguez states that he does better with a full plate and more to do than even has time for.
With the 2021-2022 academic school year ending this week, eyes are on the Fall season. Before his players leave for summer break, they will be given a plan for the summer that will include workout sessions and skills/drills they can do over the break in best prepare themselves for August. With their strength and conditioning program continuing through the summer and practices once or twice a week, the tools are in place for the players to come into the season prepared. They just need to take advantage and use them to the best of their ability. Coach Rodriguez is focused on the endless potential his incoming team has for the 2022 season. The players and coaches are looking to redeem themselves after an early preliminary round exit last season. With a young, dynamic team coming in this season, they will be exciting to watch so make sure you get out to a game and cheer them on!
Coach Rodriguez said it best, "There is no better time to be an athlete or a coach at CM and it's exciting to be in the middle of all the growth here, not only with the athletic department, but with the whole school."
