Maplewood Richmond Heights soccer coach Ryan Robertson wants to make sure he’s not mistaken for a player, as he once was during his four years as assistant coach, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He’s in his second season as head coach, and dresses more like a businessman than a soccer coach.
“I said if I ever got the opportunity to be a head coach, I would always wear a suit and tie and take away any opportunity for me to be mistaken as a player,” Robertson told the Post-Disptach. “Because I’m young. I’m unproven.”
He said the idea behind his more serious attire is to let his players and opponents know he’s professional and takes his job seriously.
When Robertson was hired two years ago, he told 40 South News he wants to set a good example for his players, and inspire them. “At the end of my tenure here, I want the hallmark of my time here to be that I got kids out of here to stretch themselves further.”
He told the Post-Dispatch his attire always gets comments.
“I don’t walk into games and people not say anything,” Robertson said. “It’s fun. I enjoy it. People notice it. People know if they see a nice-dressed coach, it’s probably Maplewood. If you know Maplewood’s coming, you’re going to have to work for your win that day.” See also: Everyone gets in on MRH soccer win
Read the full post in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
MRH soccer stands at 14-2 and is in the top ten STLhighschoolsports.com rankings for small schools.
The Oct. 9 game against Lift for Life will be the MRH homecoming game.
As a graduate of MRH I think it’s great for the coach to set the bar high. I think it projects confidence and class. In the 60’s pro football team coaches used to wear suits. Two in particular were Tom Landry of the Cowboys and Hank Stram of Kansas City Chiefs, both respected and winning coaches.
What a great role model. When you dress up, You feel up. Way to go Coach, Good luck to Your Team