OTB chats with South Carolina Women's soccer head coach, Shelley Smith about her winning strategies and insights.
On this week’s episode of "Over the Ball," Kevin and Dave dive deep into the beautiful game, beat up on USMNT for their loss to Columbia, and speak with Shelley Smith, the esteemed head coach of South Carolina Women's soccer. With an impressive track record and a wealth of experience, Coach Smith has led her team to numerous victories and has been a pivotal figure in collegiate soccer. Kevin, Dave, and Coach Smith discuss the challenges of coaching in the South, building a program from scratch, the rivalry with Clemson, the development of women's soccer, and managing player motivation. Coach Smith shares her experiences and insights as a coach, highlights the growth and competitiveness of women's soccer, explore the differences between men's and women's soccer, and pinpoint the unique challenges faced by women's teams. She emphasizes the importance of balance and family in the lives of female players and explains why playing games in the spring is beneficial for their development. The conversation also touches on the lack of protection for star players in women's basketball and the impressive qualities of coach Dawn Staley. The interview concludes with a lighthearted rapid-fire question segment.