Article by Brynn Kolbrek
Northwestern welcomes Danny Brandt in his first year as Head Coach for Women’s Soccer (UNWWS).
Having grown up watching his dad coach soccer at the collegiate level, Brandt started playing the game early and still loves it. His passion for the game and dedication to coaching shines through in his commitment to the UNW athletics credo, “Compete with purpose.”
Coaching is an investment.
Brandt was drawn to Northwestern because of its Christ-centered mission and joins in its community’s desire to serve Christ in all that they do. With deep care and attention to detail, Brandt models his belief that whatever he does is an investment. This is clearly evident in the structure of practices, warmups, recovery, and games, as well as his recruiting process and conversations with the team.
Never unprepared.
Brandt knows how to prepare a team! To best prepare and equip the team to win, he watches and studies all of the games of the opposing teams. He considers being prepared a skill that can be controlled – a skill critical to effective coaching. And, most of what he knows, he learned from his greatest coach and biggest influence in his life, his father.
“My dad is a collegiate coach as well, and I’ve worked with him at two different universities, so he is the main influence on my coaching,” says Danny. “He taught me to pay extreme attention to detail. He taught me how to build a specific team culture. He’s also shown me how to build the identity of the program.”
There’s new energy and excitement on the team! Assistant coach Neidermeyer says, “It’s good having a new perspective and a new leader of the program.” It’s exciting to see where all his energy, passion and commitment can lead the team!
To learn more about Brandt’s time as a player and coach prior to Northwestern, check out his biography on the University of Northwestern – St. Paul’s Athletic website. UNWWS
