Royal Oak Names New Varsity Soccer Coach

announced Richard Thoma of Grosse Pointe has been named head coach of the school's boys soccer team. He replaces . 

at the high school, is leaving the head coach position after one year. She's getting married this summer and her future husband has accepted a job in Minneapolis.

Thoma, 27, was the girls varsity coach at Roeper High School for four years. He has also coached Royal Oak Youth Soccer Association and Michigan Sting premier teams.

Royal Oak Patch asked Thoma about his coaching style and what he expects to accomplish.

Royal Oak Patch: What are your goals for the first year of the program?

Thoma: My goal for this year is to have a winning season and build the players to become a team and part of a program. We want to build all the teams, not just at the varsity level. I want to give the players and the school some stability and have a fun and exciting season.

Royal Oak Patch: What are your long-term goals?

Thoma: Long term goals are to build a winning program. We want all the players and teams to excel and grow as players and people. I also want it known that the boys soccer program supports and wants to work with the girls varsity program. We want the all the soccer teams - boys and girls - to be one united program for our school. 

Royal Oak Patch: How is the summer conditioning going? Are the players excited for the season?

Thoma: Summer conditioning is going well. I believe the boys are being challenged and getting used to what we are going to require of them. The conditioning is going well and getting the boys to the ultimate goal. I believe that players are excited and looking forward to the season. The players all have great attitudes and are working hard to be ready for the season.

Royal Oak Patch: There have been four coaches in four years. What impact does that kind of turnaround have on an athletic program?

Thoma: I have been told about the other four coaches.  I didn't go that much into the details about it.  I believe that is in the past. I want to move forward and give the boys a new beginning.  I know that it has been hard for the seniors and juniors to have different coaches every season. We have to keep a positive outlook and have the players move forward together as a team and a program.

Royal Oak Patch: Will you mold the players to your style of play or will you modify your style based on the talents of the players?

Thoma: I believe that both need to happen. My style of coaching is to not have 11 individuals but one team.  The skills of all the players are important, but we want to have our style of playing.  Each player brings something different to the game and the team.  Our goal is to try to get the players to play together as one, while including and incorporating the the talents of each.

Royal Oak Patch: What is your best quality as a coach?

Thoma: I do not know if i have a best quality but I strive on making players believe in themselves and each other.  We want to have a team, a winning attitude, and a successful season and program. I try to find the best in each player and bring that out in them. I try to challenge and make the players want to do better on and off the field.  I listen and try to connect. I  teach in a way that the kids can understand and believe in.