Welcome to Interview #27 with Patrick Henry Community College Men’s Soccer Coach!
Enda Crehan is the head men’s soccer coach at Patrick Henry Community College. He is also the Director of Coaching for Piedmont Youth Soccer and a member of the western ODP staff.
Coach Crehan brings an international perspective to recruiting. He was a soccer player recruited from Ireland. He successfully recruits a mixture of American and international student-athletes to Patrick Henry Community College.
Coach Crehan’s full bio is at the end of the interview.
How do you find players for your team? What type of student and athlete do you focus on?
Like everyone else, I attend tournaments and events to watch players. I also have a heavy international population here and being an International myself I have lots of connections to attract these players. I have a great balance between Virginia kids and International kids here.
Why do you think athletes should consider a NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association)? What are the benefits of an NJCAA school specifically?
The benefits of a NJCAA school are endless. Many students don’t know what they want to study so coming here helps them decide before it’s time. Also, many players develop even more after High School so having a year or two could mean them getting noticed by a bigger or better college than they were getting looked at in High School.
What effect does social media have on your recruiting? Can you talk about players who you have stopped recruiting or become more interested in based on their social media use?
For me I am not on there looking at their Social Media but if I am told of an account, once they join me I will address this.
Could you share, in whatever detail you are comfortable with, what the athletic scholarship breakdown looks like on your roster?
Our Students only get academic aid.
On your current roster, you have players from 8 countries plus the United States. Can you talk about how you recruit international players?
As a former International student who came to the USA to play, I have many connections around the world that help me attract players. I believe I have the right balance of American and International players.
What advice do you have for international players who want to play at a college in the U.S.?
Be patient and pick the right spot based on Academics and Soccer.
What is it like on your team with young men from all over the world?
Always we have communication issues and sometimes this can bring up funny moments, especially with my Irish accent trying to explain stuff.
What do the off-season, fall season, and summer look like for a NJCAA soccer player?
We have a strict weight program for all players to follow. In the spring we have 4 play dates. We try to schedule teams that are interested in recruiting my guys. Over the summer we have guys play PDL and NPSL which is great exposure and training for them and the program.
What are some myths or misconceptions about junior colleges?
To be honest I have never heard any. The level is high and it gives players a chance to develop and mature.
You came from Galway, Ireland to get a college education in the U.S. and play soccer. Can you tell us about how coming to the U.S. and playing soccer collegiately has impacted your life?
It changed my life forever. By coming over I have gained an undergraduate degree and an MBA via soccer. I have also made lifelong friends within the game. I got to travel and play a game I love and I have got to play for two fantastic coaches and people who have helped me out so much in life.
First at Long Island University-Southampton with Andreas Lindberg and then at Post University with Ted Haley. Both men have been huge influences in my life since leaving Ireland. I owe so much to these guys and I believe this is the way for most former college athletes.
Bonus Question: Is there anything important that you would like to share directly with high school athletes or soccer players in particular as they navigate the recruiting process?
Make sure you take your time and research the school, program, and coach. As I said, my old coaches are great friends of mine so I think it’s important to know who you will play for and their background. Also, be patient with a program if you’re not a starter right away and don’t let this ever affect your academics.
Profile:
Enda Crehan is the head men’s soccer coach at Patrick Henry Community College. He is also the Director of Coaching for Piedmont Youth Soccer and a member of the western ODP staff.
Coach Crehan brings an international perspective to recruiting. He successfully recruits a mixture of American and international student-athletes to Patrick Henry Community College.
Coach Crehan holds a FAI level 1 diploma, USSF Youth License, NSCAA National, Advanced, and Premier Diplomas, and is currently working on the NSCAA master course in conjunction with the University of Delaware. Educationally he has an MBA.
Previously Crehan coached at Averett University and was an assistant with the PDL team, Carolina Dynamo. He got his start coaching for Noga soccer on Long Island in 2008 and has progressed to coaching stops in Utah, Idaho, Arizona, and now Virginia. These stops included high school soccer at Cactus Shadows High in Arizona and Carlisle School in Virginia.
Before his coaching career, Crehan played growing up for Shiven Rover FC in the west of Ireland. He also played League of Ireland U21 with Mervue United and Connaught U17 school boys.
Coach Crehan Came played for Long Island University-Southampton College and Post University, both NCAA Division 2 schools.
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