A Concordia alum, Jason Weides has served as Head Coach of Concordia Men’s Soccer since 2008. Weides has led the program to at least 10 wins in 10-straight seasons. As the winningest coach in program history, Weides led the Bulldogs to a GPAC tournament title in 2015.
Q&A with Coach Weides
Which athlete(s) did you idolize growing up?
Roberto Baggio, Paolo Maldini, Ozzie Smith, Michael Jordan, Roger Craig.
Who are your favorite professional sports teams?
The whole English Premier League, St. Louis Cardinals, KC Chiefs and the Phoenix Suns.
What is the most memorable sporting event you have attended as a spectator?
#3 Nebraska vs #2 Oklahoma football game in 2001. Heisman winner and quarterback, Eric Crouch, caught a TD on a reverse pass trick play to secure the win. The reaction from everyone in the packed stadium was unforgettable. It was the loudest and most celebratory moment I’ve experienced as a spectator.
Which person/people were most influential in your career choice?
Not sure if there was one person but a lot of influential people.
What is one book you would recommend to others in your profession?
Raise your Game by Alan Stein.
What’s the best coaching advice you’ve received?
It’s better to lose out on a recruit that you will battle once every year than to bring on a recruit that you will battle every day.
What do you find most rewarding about coaching?
I enjoy being a part of our players’ journey to compete, overcome, succeed and grow on and off the field. It’s also really rewarding to see their lives beyond college.
What has changed the most about the profession since you started coaching?
The data and technologies available to utilize for individual players or teams. Also, the influence of social media.
Beyond athletic talent and ability, what is the No. 1 trait you’re looking for in a prospective recruit?
Mental toughness.
Name something your own student-athletes have taught you in your time as a coach.
If I’m paying attention there is something to learn from them all the time. Listening and digesting that info have helped me as a coach.
What athletic achievement of your own are you most proud of?
I once scored a goal from 70 yards out on a free kick in college. Full disclosure, it was just a hopeful ball into the box but with a little luck it hit the back of the net. Being a center-back, moments like these are memorable.
How are you most likely spending your free time away from work?
Hanging with the family mostly. I enjoy doing things outdoors.
What would you choose to eat for your last meal?
Adobada tacos at Tacos El Gordo. Maybe every meal if I could.
What’s your favorite Lincoln (or Lincoln area) restaurant?
Vincenzo’s. Great Italian food.
Which movie or TV show do you quote from the most?
Seinfeld. Great comedy show from the 90s.
Where have you gone (or are planning to go) for vacation this summer?
Going to Seattle later this month.
Which social medium (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, etc.) do you use the most?
Twitter, but I’m not very active on social media personally.
What genre of music do you prefer?
I have a diverse music collection but would go to Classic Rock or Alternative as the favorites.
What was the first car you drove?
Chevy Celebrity. It wasn’t as exciting as the name might suggest.
Name a famous person you’ve met.
Jake Knabel (editor’s note: this is not a famous person).
If you had to choose any band or musical artist to perform at Bulldog Stadium, who would you choose?
The Beatles. Just need a time machine.
What is the No. 1 thing that makes Concordia a special place?
The people. It really is a family.
What is it that keeps you excited about your job as you look ahead to the 2021-22 academic year?
A new year always brings about new possibilities. This year I’m particularly excited about returning to pre-pandemic operations.