The Solon boys soccer team has had four new coaches since 2013. Each year they have changed their ranking in the state, moving up in placement or down. From 2013 to 2022 the team has had two different head coaches for multiple seasons. Until the 2023 season, with a coach only staying for one season. The Athletic Department of Solon dealt with this change and hired a new head coach for the 2024 season, Eric Ingerman.
Eric Ingerman was hired prior to the 2024 season as the JV boy’s team coach. Athletic Director James McQuaide later promoted Eric Ingerman in the 2023 season to the position of head coach after a “very unique situation,” McQuaide said.
“Well our coach that we had, he had to resign for personal reasons during the season,” McQuaide said. “So we had to get a coach…the season has already started, so that was the coach that we picked, we had to keep moving, we couldn’t delay the season.”
There are many requirements needed when looking for someone to coach a team.
“[We needed] somebody who cares about the players and cares about the program, and wants to build the program and wants to get the all out of the guys in the program and help them get better,” McQuaide said.
After playing soccer during his time at Mayfield High School, Ingerman formed ideas of what values are important to possess as a coach.
“I am most looking forward to creating a winning culture both on and off the field,” Eric Ingerman said. “I want the kids to learn to work hard to achieve their goals and overcome adversity. I want the program to be a source of pride for the school, the community and help propel the kids to success beyond high school.”
Eric Ingerman has been coaching his two sons Jake Ingerman and Brian Ingerman for the past couple of years, Jake Ingerman is currently a freshman on junior varsity and varsity. Jake Ingerman says he likes having his dad as a coach.
“Not just because he’s my dad but also because I like the way he coaches too,” Jake Ingerman said. “And that’s just the most important thing.”
Varsity soccer senior captain, Fasi Embacher, said he really likes Coach Ingerman as head coach this year.
“He really pushes us to the best of our abilities,” Embacher said. “It really feels like he cares about us a lot more than our previous coaches.”
Junior Malec Jirari, a two-year varsity soccer player, said he agrees with Embacher and Jake Ingerman that Coach Ingerman is a good choice for a head coach.
“What I look for in a good coach is someone that has the ability to and puts in the effort to make the team the best it can possibly be,” Jirari said. “I’m positive that Coach Eric is trying his hardest to make that happen.”
The boy’s team has 16 games scheduled for the 2024 season. They prepare for these games by practicing and watching films of their plays.
“Coach Eric really likes to make practice active, alive and as close to real game situations as possible,” Jirari said. “He likes us to always go all out, no matter how easy a task we are performing, which is the easiest way to improve. His coaching style is very hands-on in directing us of what to do.”
Embacher said he thinks the practices are a big factor in the team’s scoring.
“The practices are a lot more intense, they actually push us,” Embacher said.
Ingerman has set goals for the team to work on throughout the season.
“We were a little lesser of a team on defending corner kicks last year, so one of our goals is to only allow in two corner kicks this season,” Embacher said. “Also, we didn’t score much last season, so another one of our goals is 32 goals this season.”
Freshman Goalkeeper, James McMeechan, adds on Coach Ingerman’s other goal for the season.
“Win two playoff games, which are coming up,” McMeechan said.
Regarding the advice Coach Ingerman gives the team, the focus is teamwork.
“We need to have each other’s backs and not get angry at each other when times are tough,” McMeechan said.
Jake Ingerman also agrees that Coach Ingerman’s focus is teamwork.
“[Coach Ingerman wants us to]move off the ball to create options for other players.”
Currently, the team’s score for the 2024 season is 8-7.
“When we win it’s much more enjoyable and that’s partially because of the coaches and partially because of my teammates,” said Jirari.
