Spring 2021 Northwest Herald Boys Soccer Coach of the Year: Jacobs’ Colin Brice

To say that Colin Brice has had a nice run coaching boys soccer at his alma mater would be a huge understatement.

In Brice’s three seasons at Jacobs coach, the Golden Eagles are 37-14-8, with two Fox Valley Conference titles and a Class 3A Sectional championship.

Jacobs did not get another shot at a sectional this year because the COVID-19 pandemic pushed soccer to the spring and the season was shortened to six weeks.

The Eagles won every game except their last one, a 1-0 loss in overtime shootout to Hampshire in the FVC Tournament championship game. Even though Jacobs did not finish the way it wanted, Brice was selected as Northwest Herald Boys Soccer Coach of the Year by the sports staff in a close vote over Hampshire’s Richard Schuster.

Brice, a 2007 Jacobs graduate, played college soccer at the University of Dubuque, where he was a three-year captain and All-American Rivers Conference player.

Crystal Lake South coach Brian Allen, who was Coach of the Year in 2018 and 2019, lauded Brice for his team’s success, pointing out that the Eagles lost goalkeeper Josh Allen to injury before the season, had a target on their backs as defending FVC and sectional champs, yet still put together a defense that allowed less than one goal a game.

Brice answered a few questions from Northwest Herald sports writer Joe Stevenson about his Jacobs memories, including those about his best friend, Olympian runner Evan Jager.

What are your fondest memories of your high school playing career?

Brice: Getting to represent my school with all of my friends I grew up with. I was really big into club soccer, but the feeling I got competing for my school, nothing could compare to that.

What is it like to coach at your old high school?

Brice: Coming to Jacobs has been a goal of mine for a long time. When I was in college, I wanted to get a teaching and coaching job back at Jacobs. The support the community has for soccer at Jacobs is super-unique and a big reason we have been so successful. There is always a student section at our home games and kids get excited around school about our guys. It just make it a great place to call home as a soccer coach.

Who is the best speaker you have ever heard?

Brice: Notre Dame men’s soccer coach Bobby Clarke. I was coaching at the University of Dubuque at the time and we were both at a showcase recruiting players. I had no idea who he was when we started talking and the knowledge that he had about the game was incredible. Just from a simple conversation has had an impact on how I look at things as a coach.

You are best friends with Olympian runner Evan Jager. How good was Evan at soccer when he was young?

Brice: Evan was actually a really good soccer player. He debated, his freshmen year, on whether or not to play soccer or run cross country in the fall. I think he made a pretty good decision on running. But he is very supportive in my coaching and a guy I can count on for some advice.

What are your three favorite sports movies?

Brice: Three favorite sports movies: ‘Remember the Titans,’ ‘Miracle’ and any of the ‘Rocky’ series.

What is your favorite aspect of coaching?

Brice: It’s getting to work with some tremendous kids. It’s so great to see their growth throughout the year and after they graduate. That, to me, is so rewarding for myself and my coaching staff. If you see improvement in your kids mentally, physically and their character, that’s the best aspect of coaching for me.

If you could hop into a time machine, what sporting event would you go see?

Brice: I would most want to be at is a World Cup final. Any of them would be such an amazing experience. There is no other sport where there is so much passion in the players and the fans. Two teams battling for their country and wanting to reach that final goal.

What musical group would you most like to see this summer?

Brice: At this point, any country band would be great to see live, but if I had to pick one I’d have to go with Luke Combs.

What is one of your biggest pet peeves?

Brice: As a coach, it’s effort. Effort is something you can control each and every day and if you’re not giving it, that can drive a coach nuts. I try to establish that early on in our program at Jacobs and so far these boys give their best each and every day.

What was something funny that happened in a game this season?

Brice: I think our funniest moment this season wasn’t in a game, but in practice. We have a practice every year where players must come dressed in a costume. They were all pretty good but I don’t think anything tops senior captain PJ Hopkins’ squirrel costume. He had a blow up tail and it was so hilarious watching him try to run around and play soccer in it.