Heethuis Duo Lead Soccer Programs Together
There is no coaching duo in the PAC like the husband and wife duo of the men and women’s soccer teams at Waynesburg University.
Brad and Laura Heethuis both began their head coaching careers at Waynesburg University in the 2014 season and have both just finished their third seasons with their respective teams.
Laura is the head coach of the women’s soccer team, and Brad is the head coach of the men’s soccer team at Waynesburg. Whenever Brad or Laura don’t have obligations pertaining to their own team, they are assistant coaches to one-another.
“I choose to coach with Brad because I know how smart he is with the technical and tactical sides of the game, as well as his leadership,” said Laura Heethuis. “I have full trust in what he sees on and off the field and the actions he makes.”
Brad and Laura Heethuis enter this offseason leaving an impression on players they’ve coached through their three years at Waynesburg.
“The best thing about them coaching together is that they know how to work off each other,” said senior defender Josh Hennigh. “They know where the other is going and can help split the responsibilities without losing communication.”
Josh Hennigh has been coached by Brad Heethuis on the men’s soccer team for three years.
“During practice, they are both verbal and push everyone to do the best they can and then do it better,” said Hennigh. “At games they both provide insight on what needs to be done and how that can be accomplished.”
On the other end of the spectrum, women’s soccer player, junior forward Nikki Davis has been coached by the duo of Brad and Laura Heethuis for three years now and will go into her senior year playing under them once again.
“I like them coaching together,” said Davis. “They know how to complement each other and work together.”
Despite Brad and Laura Heethuis coaching on opposite teams, they still receive the same amount of respect from men’s and women’s teams alike.
“The men’s team has a lot of respect for her [coach Laura Heethuis],” said Hennigh. “She is a great coach, but also a great player.”
“We respond well to coach Brad [Heethuis],” said Davis. “He has a different point of view on how we can improve, which is always good to hear.”
Both coach Brad and Laura’s love for soccer started at a young age.
“I started playing soccer when I was about four years old with my mom being my first coach,” said Laura Heethuis. “My dad has been a high school and college soccer official for many years, and I grew up going with him to games and just watched while he officiated. I was around the game so often that I fell in love with it.”
“[My love for soccer] started early,” said Brad Heethuis. “My dad is a high school soccer coach, so I grew up on the field.”
When coach Brad and Laura Heethuis aren’t spending time together as soccer coaches, they enjoy one another’s company as husband and wife.
“When we aren’t on the field or recruiting, we are usually relaxing at home, watching sports, TV shows or playing cards,” said Brad Heethuis. “We both have family back in Michigan, so some of the offseason is spent back there visiting them.”
The next chapter in the lives of Brad and Laura Heethuis will open in January, as they’re expecting a baby.
“We are expecting an addition to the family in January,” said Brad Heethuis. “Much of our time will be devoted to her for the next few months, and years.”