By Craig Morgan, thesundevils.com Writer
Graham Winkworth spent the last four seasons transforming the South Alabama women's soccer program into one of the top mid-major programs in the nation. The Jaguars achieved new program highs including qualifying for four straight NCAA tournaments, winning four straight Sun Belt Conference Championships, and earning the program's first top-25 national year-end ranking.
A two-time Sun Belt Coach of the Year (2014, '15), Winkworth's student-athletes won four straight Sun Belt Freshmen of the Year awards, three Sun Belt Player of the Year awards, and three Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year awards.
As Winkworth takes over the Sun Devil women's soccer program, replacing Kevin Boyd, professionalism, preparedness and a penchant for international recruiting will be his calling cards. TheSunDevils.com caught up with Winkworth on Monday for a quick Q&A.
Having grown up in England, how did you end up at North Alabama for your master's degree?
Winkworth: "I was offered the head coaching position at the tender age of 24 and decided that I wanted to continue my own education while undertaking my coaching role. Before arriving at UNA, I was the assistant at Central Arkansas where we were fortunate enough to transform that program pretty quickly."
In what subject did you earn your master's degree and why was that the choice?
Winkworth: "Health Promotion and Human Performance. I have always had a massive interest in the psychological and physiological performance of athletes and in particular soccer players. This was the closest master's degree UNA offered at the time."
What convinced you that ASU was the right choice and this was the right time for a change?
Winkworth: "The people on my visit without question. Mr. [Ray] Anderson's vision for the department and specifically the soccer program really excited me. Everyone was so inviting and helpful that I felt at home on my initial visit."
How would you characterize your coaching philosophy?
Winkworth: "I like to use the word professionalism. I want to create an environment where the student-athletes are prepared for the next level of playing if they have that potential and it is something they dream about achieving. I want players to feel comfortable enough to make mistakes and enjoy playing this beautiful game."
Who or what shaped that philosophy?
Winkworth: "I was a huge fan of a keeper named Peter Shilton as a kid. I studied how hard he worked to achieve all that he did as a player. That is the mentality I will hope to create within the ASU squad.
"Regarding the style of play, I enjoy watching some of the greatest coaches in the profession at work in the English Premier League. The art of excellent defending or the way teams control possession with quality movement off the ball are areas I love to study."
Did you play the sport? If so, what experiences in your playing days have helped you as a coach??
Winkworth: "I played for St. Barts, which was my school from 16-18 years, and had the opportunity to play in college but decided to move into coaching at a very young age (16). I have always wanted to be the greatest at something and I knew that I was not blessed with the ability to make it to the top as a player. While studying my first degree, I volunteered at a professional club in England where I was lucky enough to coach with and watch some coaches who have worked at the very highest level."
What were some of the keys to building a strong program at South Alabama?
Winkworth: "Creating an environment where the team believed they could be successful was very important initially. Obviously, recruiting is a big factor in this profession and I was fortunate enough to find some very talented young ladies. It was about creating a second family for everyone involved."
What is your approach to building ties with the local soccer community and what benefits do you envision coming from those ties?
Winkworth: "It may take me a little time as I have so much to do but I cannot wait to get out and meet the local soccer community. I am very sure that within an area like this there are thousands of kids playing from toddlers to college and I hope that we can meet as many as possible over the coming months. It is my vision to fill our stands with soccer fans for huge matches down the road.
"We will also offer camps on campus to enable local kids in the community to come and see our facilities but also meet the coaches and players."
You've shown a penchant for recruiting internationally. ASU has two Canadians, but no other international players on its roster. Do you expect that to change and where do you expect to focus your international recruiting efforts?
Winkworth: "It is definitely a possibility. I want to get out locally first and see who is interested in being a future Sun Devil. I really do not mind where top players come from though and can potentially see internationals added."
Have you had a chance to meet with any of the players yet, and what was your message to them coming off a couple difficult, injury-riddled seasons?
Winkworth: "Yes I was lucky enough to meet them briefly. I just explained that my expectation of them is to act like professionals. They need to look after themselves physically and come into spring training with a hard-working mentality. I said that I can forgive bad passes and even encourage mistakes, but I will not forgive anyone who does not give their heart to ASU Soccer."
?
What are your expectations for Year 1?
Winkworth: "This is a very tough question to answer as I have not been fortunate enough to watch much film of my new team or our future opponents. I know that we are not sitting where anybody is comfortable in the league right now and that is something we must address. I know we are 150th in the current RPI National Standings and this is again something we must look at.
"Like you stated, last year the squad was hit hard with injuries and so right now I want to look at how we train to hopefully limit the number of players out in the future. I will hope we get these players back as soon as possible without putting them at any risk.
"I am excited to get to work with these young ladies and hopefully work toward eventually emulating [national champion] USC and the success they have had this year."
Graham Winkworth spent the last four seasons transforming the South Alabama women's soccer program into one of the top mid-major programs in the nation. The Jaguars achieved new program highs including qualifying for four straight NCAA tournaments, winning four straight Sun Belt Conference Championships, and earning the program's first top-25 national year-end ranking.
A two-time Sun Belt Coach of the Year (2014, '15), Winkworth's student-athletes won four straight Sun Belt Freshmen of the Year awards, three Sun Belt Player of the Year awards, and three Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year awards.
As Winkworth takes over the Sun Devil women's soccer program, replacing Kevin Boyd, professionalism, preparedness and a penchant for international recruiting will be his calling cards. TheSunDevils.com caught up with Winkworth on Monday for a quick Q&A.
Having grown up in England, how did you end up at North Alabama for your master's degree?
Winkworth: "I was offered the head coaching position at the tender age of 24 and decided that I wanted to continue my own education while undertaking my coaching role. Before arriving at UNA, I was the assistant at Central Arkansas where we were fortunate enough to transform that program pretty quickly."
In what subject did you earn your master's degree and why was that the choice?
Winkworth: "Health Promotion and Human Performance. I have always had a massive interest in the psychological and physiological performance of athletes and in particular soccer players. This was the closest master's degree UNA offered at the time."
What convinced you that ASU was the right choice and this was the right time for a change?
Winkworth: "The people on my visit without question. Mr. [Ray] Anderson's vision for the department and specifically the soccer program really excited me. Everyone was so inviting and helpful that I felt at home on my initial visit."
How would you characterize your coaching philosophy?
Winkworth: "I like to use the word professionalism. I want to create an environment where the student-athletes are prepared for the next level of playing if they have that potential and it is something they dream about achieving. I want players to feel comfortable enough to make mistakes and enjoy playing this beautiful game."
Who or what shaped that philosophy?
Winkworth: "I was a huge fan of a keeper named Peter Shilton as a kid. I studied how hard he worked to achieve all that he did as a player. That is the mentality I will hope to create within the ASU squad.
"Regarding the style of play, I enjoy watching some of the greatest coaches in the profession at work in the English Premier League. The art of excellent defending or the way teams control possession with quality movement off the ball are areas I love to study."
Did you play the sport? If so, what experiences in your playing days have helped you as a coach??
Winkworth: "I played for St. Barts, which was my school from 16-18 years, and had the opportunity to play in college but decided to move into coaching at a very young age (16). I have always wanted to be the greatest at something and I knew that I was not blessed with the ability to make it to the top as a player. While studying my first degree, I volunteered at a professional club in England where I was lucky enough to coach with and watch some coaches who have worked at the very highest level."
What were some of the keys to building a strong program at South Alabama?
Winkworth: "Creating an environment where the team believed they could be successful was very important initially. Obviously, recruiting is a big factor in this profession and I was fortunate enough to find some very talented young ladies. It was about creating a second family for everyone involved."
What is your approach to building ties with the local soccer community and what benefits do you envision coming from those ties?
Winkworth: "It may take me a little time as I have so much to do but I cannot wait to get out and meet the local soccer community. I am very sure that within an area like this there are thousands of kids playing from toddlers to college and I hope that we can meet as many as possible over the coming months. It is my vision to fill our stands with soccer fans for huge matches down the road.
"We will also offer camps on campus to enable local kids in the community to come and see our facilities but also meet the coaches and players."
You've shown a penchant for recruiting internationally. ASU has two Canadians, but no other international players on its roster. Do you expect that to change and where do you expect to focus your international recruiting efforts?
Winkworth: "It is definitely a possibility. I want to get out locally first and see who is interested in being a future Sun Devil. I really do not mind where top players come from though and can potentially see internationals added."
Have you had a chance to meet with any of the players yet, and what was your message to them coming off a couple difficult, injury-riddled seasons?
Winkworth: "Yes I was lucky enough to meet them briefly. I just explained that my expectation of them is to act like professionals. They need to look after themselves physically and come into spring training with a hard-working mentality. I said that I can forgive bad passes and even encourage mistakes, but I will not forgive anyone who does not give their heart to ASU Soccer."
?
What are your expectations for Year 1?
Winkworth: "This is a very tough question to answer as I have not been fortunate enough to watch much film of my new team or our future opponents. I know that we are not sitting where anybody is comfortable in the league right now and that is something we must address. I know we are 150th in the current RPI National Standings and this is again something we must look at.
"Like you stated, last year the squad was hit hard with injuries and so right now I want to look at how we train to hopefully limit the number of players out in the future. I will hope we get these players back as soon as possible without putting them at any risk.
"I am excited to get to work with these young ladies and hopefully work toward eventually emulating [national champion] USC and the success they have had this year."