The Coker men’s soccer team (7-1-1) made history this season, ranking No. 21 in Tuesday’s National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) poll and earning a No. 3 ranking in the Southeast region. Both are the highest rankings in the program’s history.
Head Coach Paul Leese is a big part of that success, but he said the team’s strong work ethic and team spirit led to that success.
“We have a very strong team unit,” said Leese. And he feels more success will come.
“We are young and yet to reach our potential,” he said.
This is Leese’s first season as head coach at Coker. He served as assistant men’s soccer coach at Coastal Carolina University for the last three seasons and served as an assistant coach at Furman University where he coached U.S. National Team member Clint Dempsey.
He has been coaching soccer since he was 17-18 years old.
“I’ve always loved the game, and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else,” said Leese.
Leese guided academy players in the School of Excellence at Chester F.C. in the English 2nd Division and represented Major League Soccer Camps as a coach throughout the United States. He was color commentator for the Furman Sports Network broadcast of the NCAA Southern Conference Men’s and Women’s Soccer Championships in 2000.
“Soccer’s the only sport for me,” said Leese.
He was named Big South Rookie of the Year in 1997 while at Charleston Southern University, was a member of the 1999 British University National Team and played soccer at Furman University and professionally in the United Soccer League for Greenville Lions and Carolina Dynamo.
Leese earned his undergraduate degree in business administration from Furman in 2001 and received a Master’s in business administration from Elon in 2003. Born in Liverpool England, Leese graduated high school in Spain and played for C.D. Cultural de Marbella under the coaching tutelage of Jaime Molina.
Today, Leese and his wife Janeane reside in Hartsville where he enjoys the laid back lifestyle and friendly Southern people.
“What they say about Southern hospitality is true!” said Leese.
He said he has been impressed by youth soccer on this side of the pond.
“Youth soccer in the United States is producing very talented young players, and the college environment is doing a better job now of developing that talent and preparing it for the professional level,” he said. “We have many players at Coker that want to play professionally after graduation.”
“Americans greatly appreciate soccer right now – what is needed is more high level soccer on prime time TV,” said Leese.
As for the highly-rated and televised American football, Leese won’t be hosting any Superbowl or Clemson-Carolina parties. He doesn’t watch it at all.
“I still cannot watch American football,” he said. “There are too many stoppages during the game.”
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