Every month on the Surf Nation coaches newsletter, we aim to recognize one of our coaches who embodies our values, exceeds our standards, and leads by example on the sidelines and in the community.
This month’s coach is Ashley Herndon from Missoula Surf.
Ashley took some time to share her influences, views, and sources of inspiration with us recently:
Why do you coach?
I coach for a multitude of reasons. I have a strong passion for helping players achieve their goals and hopefully making a positive impact in their lives where they can always reach out with whatever they decide to do next. After I retired from playing, I worked as a volunteer coach at my alma mater, JMU. I remember the exact moment helping a forward for JMU understand an attacking principle and watching her excitement once she got it. It was such a fulfilling moment for me as a coach and I knew that’s what I wanted my future to be.
Who were some of your first real influences when you started your coaching journey?
I’ve had several people throughout my life that have been true influences in my coaching journey. My family specifically. I grew up in a soccer household. Mom played through her 40s and early 50s, brother played competitively, and dad coached. My first thought for coaching came from my college coach Dave Lombardo. He would make comments throughout my career that I would make a good coach someday. He was the one that made me truly believe it as a possibility and he’s been a big supporter and someone I can still reach out to now for advice.
Is there a team (past or present) that you model your playing style on?
I don’t have a specific team. As an assistant in most of my coaching roles, I haven’t had a true opportunity to show my own style yet. There are many that play this way, but I really enjoy high pressing teams that want to win the ball higher up the field and get into an attacking phase as soon as possible. I played mostly all attacking roles in my career playing the 9, 7, 11, 8, 10 and a little at the 6. So, my brain immediately wants to think of attack before defend. I work now at Montana with more defending first style coaches, so it’s been cool to see the different styles and being able to mold everything together someday.
Is there a player (past or present) that inspires you when you watch them play?
My current player that inspires me in the way she plays is Lindsay Horan, playing with her in Portland and then watching her with the national team and lead the national team has been awesome to watch. She was a true role model and supporter as a teammate, and you can see it translate to the way she plays on the field. She shows her leadership by leading by example and with her voice and that’s what is most inspiring. Her experience now with Lyon and bringing those playing styles with the US has been fun to watch.
What’s your favorite book related to coaching?
I still want to grow my realm of coaching material/books but as of right now the two that stand out that I’ve read are Sum it Up and Legacy. Sum it Up is an autobiography about Pat Summit. The way she coached and the life challenges she went through as a player and coach. Her style is definitely different than what mine would be but the way she faced adversity and became the most winningest coach was very impressive and inspiring. The second book that I am currently reading right now is Legacy which is modeled around the New Zealand Rugby team, The All Blacks. It’s made me think about my own ways of leadership as a coach and how to speak and lead our leaders of the team and how I would want the culture of my team to be.
Which professional coach do you admire and why?
Emma Hayes has been my most recent case study and person to follow. Her passion and knowledge she is bringing from England to the US has been really cool to witness. The way she already has the players' backs and also pushes them to be the best is exactly what the national team needs. It’s a big role to have and it's inspiring to watch her do it in her own way.
How would you describe the training environment that you look to create?
I would first want to make it feel as safe as possible. I grew up as a club soccer player in Virginia so scared to make mistakes that I would back off of trying something out of my comfort zone. So, the first thing I would do is make sure my team knew it was a safe environment to try new things and make mistakes. Because my end goal is to help them grow and get better. I want an environment that wants to have fun but also cares and wants to compete, which prepares them for the next level or next stage of their life.
What do you feel that Missoula does better than anyone else as a club?
As a new club, I truly believe that Missoula is doing everything they can to grow and make the club as best it can be. With the new hire of Winter and the new resources of the new indoor facility, Missoula Surf is really striving to be the best. We offer many programs to help with development even through the winter months. With the overall umbrella of Surf Nation, it has allowed us as a small town in Missoula to feel bigger than ever. With connections to Surf Select and the opportunities it brings, it has been so fun to watch what some of these players from Missoula Montana have been able to experience.
