Leading the Lads

Relationship between boys soccer coach, players fuels victories on pitch

For head boys soccer coach Jarrod Southern, soccer – or rather, football – is a lifestyle. Growing up in South Africa, a country enamored with soccer culture, and witnessing his father play at the professional level, his athletic disposition was practically prophesied. His love for the field began at the age of three amidst the frequent games of street soccer, rallied together by the neighborhood kids, barefoot and spirited.

“There were always kits and footballs at home,” Southern said. “When [my family] first got a TV in South Africa in the early 90s, we always had football on. It was always very much a part of our household.”

After leaving South Africa and relocating to College Station in 2013, Southern began his educational career at Pebble Creek Elementary School, where he worked as an adaptive behavior assistant. In 2015 he was hired as an assistant boys soccer coach at A&M Consolidated. Southern was hired to work full-time at Consol in 2019, where he would teach world geography and, predictably, be promoted to head coach.

“I’ve had other coaches that are passionate, but sometimes there’s not a lot of meaning behind it, because although they enjoy coaching, [club soccer] is a business,” sophomore Will Ferris said. “[With Southern], it’s clear that he coaches with so much passion and intensity because he cares so much about the betterment of the team.”

Southern gladly submerged himself in the Consol spirit, carrying with him his veteran expertise and tactical knowledge of the field, and notable celebrations. His infamous sideline reputation precedes his love for soccer.

“Southern is definitely our number one supporter,” co-captain and senior Bryce Marianno said. “Whenever I score a goal, he is always one of the first people I look for. He’s always the happiest guy on the field. He’s jumping, throwing his hands in the air, screaming, and yelling. My freshman year when I scored a goal, I remember Coach Southern [ran] onto the field and [hugged] me and [threw] me in the air. He was so excited.”

Unlike other Consol athletic teams, the boys soccer team adopted a nickname unique to their

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fraternity: Lads. This title, recognized as legitimate by both the administration and student body, can be seen on posters hung up in the hallways, cited on Twitter, and featured on the school announcements. The team wears their name like a crown – and Southern’s South African diction can be credited for it.

“I have a lot of family in England and South Africa, and there, ‘lads’ [means] a group of men,” Southern said. “One day in 2015 when I first started coaching here, I called the boys ‘lads’ in a training session. I never thought anything of it because it was just a part of my [vocabulary] growing up. One of the boys picked it up, and it just snowballed from there. Eventually, we put it on our sleeve. It’s what everyone refers to us as now. It has bonded us, really. To be able to say ‘I’m a Lad’ – it’s so rewarding as a coach.”

For the first time in Consol history, the word “Lads,” is worn proudly on the boys’ jersey sleeves this season. Perhaps it’s their strengthened unity this year, by virtue of their matching sleeves, that has driven the team to heightened success.

“Those boys intrinsically want to get better. They are unbelievably hardworking,” Southern said.

On Jan. 5-7, the Lads played at the Kilt Cup, a pre-season tournament in The Woodlands, where they were set to face a majority 6A school roster. Consol has been attending the tournament for many years, but this was the first time the Lads took home first place. With a record of 11-1-1 this season, the Lads’ success can be partially attributed to their team camaraderie, which co-captain and junior Luke Henderson believes is a major influence on their play.

“The time we spend together outside of school correlates directly to our on-the-field chemistry,” Henderson said. “[It’s] one of the reasons we can play so well together.”

Southern strives to maintain a sense of diligence and respect in his role of head coach by actively setting high standards for his players and reciprocating those expectations with compassion and support.

“I think the most important thing for me –outside of football – is giving the players a sense of belonging and something that they can be proud of,” Southern said. “I want them to build relationships with each other, and I myself build relationships with them. Creating an environment where the boys can make it their best hour of the day – that’s really important.”

Southern recognizes his team’s talent–and potential too.

“This particular group that we have now is probably the best in 10 years,” Southern said. “They’ve all really bought into what we as a coaching staff have tried to get them to do – that ‘never give up’ attitude and ability to fight for each other. It’s been really incredible. These boys have taken to the philosophy and the approach and how I want to attack the game. The intensity is unbelievable.”

Ferris notes how his teammates’ “all in” attitude has improved their performance.

“I think a huge mental feature is our positivity this year,” Ferris said. ”There is a lot less harping over small mistakes and a lot more praising of achievements and good actions. In this team culture we’ve created, everyone is always giving 100%. I’m excited for the end of the season, when hopefully we go to district playoffs because that’s something we’ve missed out on the last three years – and it’s something we’re not going to miss out on this year.”

Though he appreciates winning, much like any passionate player does, Southern’s love for his Lads far outweighs any potential losses the team may undergo as the 2023 season progresses. Ultimately, Southern feels his purpose as a coach is to lead and inspire.

“I’d love to coach soccer full time, so if the opportunity arises then it’d be something I really think about. [Soccer] has been my passion since [I was] a little kid,” Southern said. “But I’m happy here. I’ll continue to work hard and develop young men into good, hardworking men, and make them good football players.”