2021 Ohio Soccer Coach of the Year Bryan Daniel on what it means to be a Brave
The Indian Hill School District congratulates Coach Bryan Daniel, who was recognized as the 2021 Ohio DII Soccer Coach of the Year and the United Soccer Coaches 2021 Large School Coach of the Year for Ohio! What does it take to be the best in the state? We sat down with Coach Daniel for a special Q&A to find out!
Indian Hill School District (IHSD): Tell us about your soccer coaching career so far and what inspired you to become a coach?
Bryan Daniel (BD): I have now coached high school soccer for 15 years, as well as 10 years on the club side. As a player, I was never the fastest or the most skillful or the biggest player on the field, but I learned early on that I could make up for a lot of that by understanding and reading the game tactically to be in the right place at the right time. I began doing some volunteer coaching in college, and I fell in love with it. I've been on the sideline ever since.
IHSD: How have you seen your team grow?
BD: The best part of coaching high school soccer is getting to see our guys come in as boys and leave here as young men. The development on the field is important, obviously; however, the growth off the field is what we are undoubtedly proudest of. The soccer field is just another classroom, and the most important growth we see is visible in the character, grit, sacrifice, unity, and humility of our players.
IHSD: What is your greatest joy as a coach?
BD: When it comes to individual players, I love the moment that it "clicks" for a player and he realizes what he is capable of. The road to that point is often bumpy and winding, but seeing the belief and realization in his eyes in that moment is why we do what we do. As a team, nothing beats the thrill of seeing a team bond together to overcome hardship as a family. We talk a lot about how our soccer community is a family, and seeing that culture continue to grow and deepen is richly rewarding for us coaches.
IHSD: What is your greatest hope for your student-athletes?
BD: We tell the players and parents in our spring meeting each year that there is a reason they're called student-athletes and not the other way around. We obviously want our boys to have memorable experiences on the field together during their time at Indian Hill, but we also want them to leave here as great students and even better young men, with a sense of pride in who they are, a confidence in what they can achieve, and a belief in the importance of character and hard work.
IHSD: Anything else you would like to add?
BD: I just want to highlight two groups of people who are crucial to the success of our soccer family. Our parent community is the best around, and it is largely due to their unselfish work that our program is the welcoming community that it is. Additionally, our coaching staff is second to none. Coach Mees, Coach Awor, Coach Fry, and Coach Kamphaus are amazing coaches and even better human beings, and I'm honored that I get to share the sidelines with them.
Photo caption: Indian Hill School District Coach Bryan Daniel was recognized as the 2021 Ohio DII Soccer Coach of the Year and the United Soccer Coaches 2021 Large School Coach of the Year for Ohio.
Posted: Monday, May 16, 2022