Sports

Kicking off change

After 23 years of coaching experience taking him from Ohio to Texas, Jason Rich has found new home as McCallum girls head soccer coach

Sienna Martens, staff reporter

December 22, 2024

Jason Rich coaches the girls soccer team through a drill on Oct. 10. After stints in Avon Lake (Ohio), Stony Point and Georgetown, Rich inherits a program that won an area title a year ago with the athletic director stepping in to coaching in the middle of the season.

Olivia Hernandez-Eeds

After 23 years of coaching experience taking him from Ohio to Texas, Jason Rich has found his new home as the McCallum girls head soccer coach.

Rich started coaching soccer after college at Avon Lake High School, near Cleveland, Ohio. After moving to Austin, Rich worked at Stony Point High School in Round Rock, as well as at Georgetown High School. After being in contact with boys soccer head coach Nick Martin for a few years, Rich was informed that a position had opened for the girls soccer program, and Rich immediately applied.

CURLING TO THE TOP: As part of their weight room workout, the girls soccer teams must complete three sets of 20 curl ups. Sophomores Delilah Portillo and Lucia McNamara finish up their set of 60 curls ups together at the rack showing the perseverance needed to give your best up until the final minutes. “I joined McCallum soccer because I love the sport.” McNamara said. ”I love sports in general, and I’ve played most of them, but none of them have the same feel to me. I’ve played soccer almost all of my life even if it wasn’t at a very competitive level, but it’s always been my favorite part of school. Last year my experience on the team was so special, and it brought me together with some of my closest friends. So far there hasn’t been a more memorable moment then when we won our game against LASA last year and that really says something to me about the sport and the environment.” Photo by Olivia Hernandez-Eeds.

“I’ve had my eye on working at McCallum for a few years now,” Rich said.

Although Rich decided to come to McCallum because of the school’s athletic reputation, there were many other benefits to switching. The commute was much shorter and this allowed him to spend more time with his family.

Strength and positivity are both super important aspects Rich is hoping to bring to the McCallum soccer program.

“Culture-wise, we want the experiences of our players to align closely to our values as a program,” Rich said. “Everything we do as a group will be to strengthen that alignment so that all of our players can have a positive experience during their four years with us.”

As far as expanding the program, Rich has already received approval from the district to add an additional JV team. Rich said he is excited to provide more experiences for more people to be able to participate. The program anticipates having 50-55 players total.

McCallum players said they are eager for their season to start, especially after making program history last year, advancing to the regional quarterfinal. One of them is returning varsity member sophomore Maya Garwood. Garwood is coming into the season confident in the team, and thrilled to have a new coach as encouraging as Rich.

“I like how Coach Rich is detail-oriented and holds everyone accountable,” Garwood said. “He also has routines that keep us united as a group.”

Being under new leadership also gives the team hope for an amazing season and the future of the program.

“I’m excited to have a coach who is serious and has goals for the program’s future,” Garwood said.

Approaching her senior soccer season, Sofia Thatcher feels confident in the program’s future, now that it’s in Rich’s hands.

“I like that Coach Rich is very invested in the program and organized,” Thatcher said. “He also really wants us to improve and go far.”

While the veteran players have been impressed with their new coach, so too has he been impressed with his veteran players and for that matter the newer players, too.

“They’re all very hard working,” Rich said. “They’re very good at taking instruction, and the different skill levels all work well together.”

Rich has explained that the addition of the second JV team will allow the program to keep more players and give players at all levels more playing time and more opportunities. He said that he’s very excited about the season, and thinks there are good chances all around.

DEFENSIVE GLUE: Freshman centerback Ava Burns has been playing soccer since she was 5 years old and also plays soccer outside of school for Lonestar Soccer Club. So far Burns’ favorite thing about Mac soccer is the community and environment. “I just love commanding the field and being out there with the girls.” Burns said. (Wynne Pirkey)

“I’m really excited about our chances this season, I think we can be competitive at all three levels,” Rich said.

Freshman Shiloh Hendrickse said she’s had a great time practicing with the team. She’s really excited for the season to start.

“Games are what it’s all about,” she said.

Another thing Hendrickse mentioned is how great the atmosphere is with the team, and how well everyone works together and gets along on and off the field.

“One of the things I really like about it [soccer] and team sports in general is the togetherness: winning together, losing together, and getting through it together regardless of the result of the match,” she said.

Sophomore Delilah Portillo, who was on the soccer team last year, said that she likes her new coach and that it hasn’t been that challenging to adjust to this leadership. Like Hendrickse, Portillo mentioned that some of her favorite things about Mac soccer are the community aspect of it and how much fun everyone has.

“Even though people are at different levels, there is always a lot of encouragement and everyone is super supportive,” Portillo said. “In whatever drill or game we’re doing, we’re all having so much fun, and that makes it a fun environment to be in.”

Scrimmages began this month, pre-district play will start in early January, and full district play will start in late January.