Head coach Kelly Findley is used to rebuilding soccer programs.
Before taking the head job for the N.C. State Wolfpack, Findley spent five years as head coach at Butler, where he transformed the Bulldogs from Horizon League bottom-dwellers into NCAA Tournament contenders.
Now in his third year at N.C. State, Findley’s formula for success is finally coming to fruition.
“The big thing is that it just takes time,” Findley said. “It takes a couple of years to get the right guys in and get them doing the right things, and then you still have to learn how to win. That takes an appetite for winning versus losing. We say to our guys that sometimes you have to lose to remember how much you hate it.”
Findley’s record through his first two seasons is a pedestrian 16-18-6. This two-season mark is oddly similar to his 17-21-2 mark in his first two years at Butler.
But in his final three campaigns in Indianapolis, Findley’s Bulldogs racked up a 43-7-9 record that included two conference championships and back-to-back NCAA Tournament berths.
Findley said he has all the tools necessary to achieve the same success in Raleigh.
“N.C. State has a lot more to offer [than Butler] as far as support-wise, facilities, caliber of player and league competition,” Findley said. “But in ACC men’s soccer, it’s hard to move up the list. That part is much more difficult than where I was before.”
Three new staff members will play a major role in helping Findley establish a winning culture in Raleigh. Andrew Scheck joins as director of sport science, Conner Burt takes the role of director for technology/social media and soccer operations, and Steve Shak comes in as a volunteer assistant.
“Andrew’s role is vitally important,” Findley said. “Guys are running anywhere from six to seven miles in a match and play twice a week, plus training and going to class. His input helps us avoid injuries by making sure our players are getting the proper rest, nutrition and warm-ups that they need.”
“Conner comes from the business field, so he’s done a good job of helping us with some marketing pieces. These days you have to be pretty into the social media and stay on top of things with recruiting, so he’s going to give us some good business insight that we’re excited about.”
“Steve Shak was the No. 1 draft pick in the 2000 MLS draft and he was a national champion with UCLA. He’s a great player and an even better person. His character is going to help our guys grow as young men, but he also gives great insight.”
Along with three new staffers, Wolfpack soccer also welcomes a top-20 recruiting class to campus this fall. The class, headlined by freshman forward Travis Wannemuehler, also includes two transfer student-athletes: sophomore midfielder Holden Fender and junior defender Clement Simonin.
“We expect Holden to be a lineup player and be a big part of our success,” Findley said. “And Clement is going to come in and give us some maturity at the back. He’s got some real quality to him so he’s been a real pleasant surprise.”
Another key player for the Wolfpack this season is senior midfielder Alex Martinez. Martinez transferred to State from High Point following the 2011 season and hasn’t looked back, leading the ACC in assists and coming in third in goals. His play earned him a spot on the College Soccer News All-America second team, as well as an All-ACC first team place.
Findley said the Wolfpack have the weapons to make the year-end NCAA Tournament.
“Our big goal is to make the NCAA Tournament,” Findley said. “We have a schedule RPI-wise that’s got exactly what we need. But other than getting into the tournament, we’re not really looking at anything else other than just trying to get better every game.”
