Eric Pogue marked more than 20 Years as a coach with Oakland, but still feels he鈥檚 got more to offer
ROCHESTER, Mich. — When the criticisms finally die, and the calls for a better performance go mute, it’s the head coach that has the last word on the direction their team takes. Behind the heartbroken players and devastated technical bench, a head coach works extra hard to restore hope and confidence.
A soccer coach teaches young athletes new skills and makes them understand how to work as a team.
It takes continuous practice to become a better soccer player. It equally takes more significant effort to be a better coach.
It’s always a demanding job, yet coach Eric Pogue has been in the game for more than two decades. Pogue is in his 21st season since he started coaching and his 13th season as the head coach at Oakland.
“Time flies when you’re passionate, borderline obsessed. Continuing to build a legacy of excellence for the Black & Gold,” tweeted Pogue just before the start of the 2021-2022 season.
Under his tenure, the Golden Grizzlies have won three league regular-season titles, three tournament championships coupled with three NCAA Tournament appearances, including advancing to the second round in 2014.
While the coaching role appears challenging and demanding, Pogue believes the role brings out the best in a person and presents the opportunity to shape the lives of their players.
“Beyond the highs and lows from game to game and season to season, you will have the opportunity to play an influential role in the development of your players, both athletically and in their 鈥榦ff the field鈥� lives as well. Many of the lessons you teach your players will stay with them for the rest of their lives.”
In his first season as head coach, Pogue emerged as the Summit League Coach of the Year. It was a generally successful year for Oakland, who posted a 5-1-1 league record and finished 9-5-3 overall while winning The Summit League regular-season title.
Perhaps in what looks like a hallmark of a good coach, the trained accountant tweeted this after conceding late in their opening game against U-M:
“The great thing from yesterday is that we now have to see that little things, attention to detail, are what make good teams great teams.”
Pogue is a Bachelor’s degree holder in finance and accounting and holds an MBA from Oakland in 2006. During his four seasons at WMU, he featured for the Broncos and was eventually named the team captain. He left WMU in 2000, having won many top honors, including being named the MVP.
As a coach, you assume the father figure, mentoring young athletes and imparting life skills. Pogue also doubles up as the head camp director for the summer program that serves more than 900 campers each year.
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