Kyle Quintell is an assistant coach for the Muskies men’s soccer and has a new teaching position. Kyle is originally from Genoa, Illinois and played collegiate soccer for Marian University. The Fall 2023 semester is Kyle’s first semester teaching introduction to sports management.
Prior to the opportunity being open Kyle made his interest in getting into teaching known to Dr. Arvin. Lakeland’s interest in sports management has increased a great deal from previous semesters. This warranted opening up another section of the course to be offered, with Kyle teaching one of them.
Kyle was interviewed about his coaching career, teaching position and how he handles both similarly or differently. When asked if it was difficult to have his players in the classroom Kyle said, “It’s a little more challenging having one of your players in class and keeping that relationship from soccer and studies completely different.”
Mixing different personal and working relationships has always been a dynamic that Kyle has enjoyed He added that one reason he enjoys that dynamic in his class is “In a lot of ways it’s it’s been a very positive experience too because most are student athletes and we can relate to each other”
That familiarity has also been helpful in getting other students engaged in class after seeing how Kyle is with his players. While it may be complicated navigating these relationships, the extra benefit that comes from that increased difficulty can have a huge impact on the way everyone interacts with each other and Kyle as a teacher. Kyle also gave insight on how he started his coaching career, what he’s learned and how he approaches it. Kyle wanted to be a coach since he played at Marian for his mentor. A moment that really stuck with Kyle was from his playing career where his coach stopped play to correct him. “He came up to me one on one and told me how important it was to use the correct technique and fundamentals because if i’m going to be a coach someday I have to do the correct things as a player so that when i’m coaching I teach the correct technique”. He is firm beleiver in stressing proper technique, body shape, and seeing different pictures on the field to his players.
The lesson he learned is that while you can get away with doing things the wrong way here and there, once you create a bad habit it comes back to bite you. It may have seemed small to most people, certainly not worth stopping the practice for, but it’s that attention to detail and commitment to being the best that separates good coaches from great ones. Kyle got his start in the collegiate coaching world here at Lakeland. It all started with a phone call with current Head men’s soccer coach Rick Mobely and has continued to blossom since. In Kyle’s words: “We meshed really well, had a lot of similarities in what we believe in and what we want to strive for within the program”
Since then Kyle has helped Coach Mobley improve the men’s soccer program at Lakeland. Together they have created something special and helped the team become one that has achieved many firsts for Lakeland men’s soccer. Both have been heavily involved in writing Lakeland history with every game.
Every coach has their own philosophy and while he is the assistant coach at Lakeland he has begun to develop his own non-negotiables for what he wants in his teams, such as “Having hard working players that are willing to roll up their sleeves and play until the final whistle. Players that are coachable and willing to learn and progress. Also good people who are willing to do whatever it takes on and off the field”
Upon Kyle’s arrival at Lakeland he met the current senior class in their sophomore season. Over the last three years he has had a hand in the growth and development of this class. Kyle commented on his feeling about his first group of players being on the verge of leaving following the conclusion of the season
“It’s very bittersweet, I hate to see a lot of the seniors go because we built a relationship with all the players. Back in 2020 covid decimated us when we were already down in 2018 and 2019. Just to see the seniors stick around, really dig deep and battle for four years when a lot could have said this isn’t for me”
Kyle although had plenty to say about all of the senior class but he mentioned three players that he enjoyed watching develop. Joseph Reyes, the first player Kyle recruited, for bringing quality to the squad when they needed it. He described the relationship as both him and Reyes taking a chance on each other, a gamble both have benefited from three years later.
Kyle also praised the team’s captain Alessandro Bianchi for the huge role he played in the team’s rebuild. His heavy involvement in the program, leadership, willingness to do whatever is asked of him and presence on the field have been very impactful.
He finished off describing Andres Gonzalez’s role in providing stability, “being good voice for underclassmen as they transition from seniors to freshman” and keeping underclassmen “heads straight and on the right path when we face adversity against different opponents”. Kyle had a lot of praise for the senior class as a whole and said “I could mention everyone of these guys, and how much they’ve helped rebuild the program but I’d be here for a while!”
Kyle hopes to continue his coaching career and eventually have his own team. The experience he brings to the classroom and the pitch have benefited Lakeland a great deal. His innovative approaches to both his positions here and his willingness to mentor players and students have brought a breath of fresh air to Lakeland.
The fall 2023 season has been a turning point for the Muskies with results that, according to Kyle, are not indicative of the quality in the squad. One goal losses to Saint Norbert, Milwaukee school of engineering have marred the start of the season but Kyle had a different outlook. Having lost by double digits to Saint Norbert in previous years a 1-0 result is a substantial improvement. The Muskies look to capitalize on another opportunity to make history by making the tournament for the first time since 2009, an accomplishment that would certainly be a milestone for Kyle.