It’s going to take some getting used to – this whole business of coaching a women’s team. Jason Weides spent 18 seasons leading Concordia University, Nebraska Men’s Soccer while becoming the winningest coach in program history. Mere months ago, the wheels began turning in regard to a unique approach to the opening within the women’s soccer program. Then on March 9, it became official. Weides would shift to head coach on the women’s side with former teammate Bernie Ochoa taking the reins on the men’s side.
In the couple of months since the announcement, Weides has presided over all aspects of the women’s soccer program, including spring training sessions and recruiting, while also serving as Director of Soccer Operations. Simultaneously, Weides has worked lockstep with Ochoa in ensuring a smooth transition for the men’s program.
“It’s been a whirlwind,” Weides said. “It’s been really busy, but it’s been great. It’s been a really good new challenge, new opportunity. I’m really excited about what’s happening and the future for both the men’s and women’s programs. It’s been a lot. It’s a big change and a lot to get through. I couldn’t be happier about the opportunity both for myself and for Bernie. I really believe in the vision our athletic department had for this. So far, it is materializing in the way we thought. I really like the long-term vision of it. The women’s team has really taken me in and welcomed me with open arms.”
Weides is fresh off leading the 2025 men’s soccer team to a GPAC tournament title and first ever advancement to the second round of the national tournament. He hopes to bring similar success to a women’s program that experienced a similar breakthrough on the national stage in 2024. However, the dynamics will be different in 2026, and it’s not just about the coaching staff. The 2025 roster included 11 seniors and a graduate student (Taylor Slaymaker) that have used up their eligibility. Gone are two of the top players in program history, Kierstynn Garner and Niah Kirchner.
In other words, there was no time to waste this spring semester. Even before Weides had agreed to take on the women’s coaching position, he began running training sessions to help carry the program through the coaching transition. When Weides and athletic administration met with the team to tell them of his hiring, the team responded with audible excitement. There was already a degree of familiarity with Weides.
Says senior-to-be Joey Long (Columbus, Neb.), “From the first practice with Coach, our team has absolutely loved having him lead us. Soccer is an ever-changing sport that requires adaptation, so it has been a really positive challenge to take on a new approach and learn new concepts, and we are embracing everything Coach has helped us with.”
Added Scottsdale, Ariz., native Sadie Mares, “I think everyone has responded very positively to Coach Weides and his approach. We were all so excited that he got the position. We have already learned so many new things and are all so excited to see what is to come in the fall.”
Long and Mares (2025 Honorable Mention All-GPAC) are expected to be two of the team’s senior leaders on the 2026 roster. The Bulldogs will also feature returning First Team All-GPAC honorees in Kyana Rios and Triniti Rowe and second team award winner Guadalupe Sanchez, a potentially prolific striker. In addition, Aliya Vidro returns after starting 12 games at keeper last season. Freshmen this past season along with Sanchez, Abby Haynes, Evie Keller and Charli Preister each saw extensive minutes in 2025.
The roles will grow for many of the aforementioned players, along with other less experienced Bulldogs who will be counted upon this fall. Weides has only begun to put the pieces together. He got a feel for what everything will look like on the field during three spring scrimmages, in addition to an alumni game. A talented alumni group (including May 2026 graduates) got the best of the current team. It’s just part of the learning process as Weides sees it. At the same time, expectations are high considering the program has won at least 13 games in each of the previous three seasons.
“We have an opportunity to take a step forward on the women’s side because Nick Smith (who resigned in December) and his staff have set us up really well for success,” Weides said. “This is a really competitive team that was competing for conference championships this last year and was right there. It’s a big change. It’s a much different team right now. They had a really large senior class. This spring’s been interesting in that we have a really small roster. A lot of leadership and experience has departed from outgoing seniors. It’s been a really good opportunity for others to take new roles and step up. Ultimately, we’re rebuilding culture because it’s a largely different team than it was last fall. They’ve been really good to work with and they’re coming along nicely.”
Long and Mares provided insight on what areas they’ve seen the most growth from inside the program throughout the spring semester.
“As a team, we have already made great improvements skill-wise, and a lot of girls have really stepped into leadership roles,” Long said. “It's given us the opportunity to define the Concordia Standard that Coach Weides and Coach (Nick) Holmes both emphasize, and we’ve been able to grow into what that means for us every day at practice. I've seen a great amount of growth in confidence from everyone this spring and it has been really exciting to see and be a part of.”
Offered Mares, “I have seen such a positive development in culture and in people's confidence within themselves and each other. He has taken us back to the basics and that has helped everyone grow and build a foundation together.”
The hay is not yet in the barn. As of late April, Weides was still in recruiting mode, looking to supplement the 2026-27 roster. The growth process for the returners must continue over the summer. Once August arrives, the sense of urgency will intensify. The get-to-know-you phase concluded this spring. Weides is still adapting to the new gig (as the team adapts to him), but there’s confidence that the program remains in an overwhelmingly healthy state. For Weides, there’s a feeling of reinvigoration in a new role with different dynamics on the women’s side.
Explained Weides, “The first step for us was getting to know each other individually and collectively. I think we’ve done a good job of that. We’re continuing to try to build those relationships. There’s also recruiting. We have some good recruits coming in already, but we have some work to do. We had a graduating class of about 13. We have a few signed, but we need a few more. That’s the priority right now. We’re also adding some new staffing. Those are the priorities for us over the next few weeks and months. We’ll also have some camps coming up this summer. Of course, there’s a lot of prep for the upcoming fall season.”
The 2026 season will officially kick off in August. When made public, the ’26 slate will be viewable HERE.