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FHS names 'defense-minded' Greg McLeod girls soccer coach
A short while back, Greg McLeod decided it was time to start ascending the coaching ladder with hopes of eventually leading a varsity squad.
It turned out to be a pretty short climb.
Just one season after taking charge of Fauquier High's JV girls soccer team, McLeod moved up. FHS athletic director Allen Creasy recently named McLeod the varsity girls coach, replacing Guy Bauer — who lasted just one year in that role.
“In order to get my own program, I needed to get into the system,” McLeod said.
McLeod's first leap into the Falcons' “system” produced some promising results.
While the Fauquier varsity limped to a 2-12-3 overall record, the JV posted a 7-3-4 mark.
McLeod will now face the challenge of transferring his success up a level. The Falcons have a boatload of returning players and should be desperate to improve on 2007's missteps.
“There's a lot of talent here and I really expect good things from these girls,” McLeod said last Monday, just after watching senior Megan Atkins sign a letter of intent to play collegiately at Shepherd (W.Va.) University. “We're going to try and make it a real soccer-friendly environment, and give these girls the opportunity to be successful.”
The new Fauquier head man has coaching stops at Cedar Lee and Warrenton Middle Schools in his past. McLeod held both of those positions while working full-time at his family's local trucking business.
But about five years ago, encouraged by his wife, Renee, McLeod decided to drive down a different path.
He returned to college full-time, receiving an associate's degree from Lord Fairfax. From there, McLeod moved to George Mason, where he completed a degree in health and physical education. “It was time for a career change,” said McLeod, whose brief time with the Fauquier JV coincided with his final days studying at George Mason.
Now, his schooling complete, McLeod is teaching at Claude Thompson Elementary in Marshall. “It's kind of made my life complete, the teaching side and relaying soccer in with that,” McLeod said.
McLeod has nearly 40 years of soccer experience under his belt. He does lament, however, that there were not more playing opportunities for him in his younger days: “It's kind of like country music — I played soccer when soccer wasn't cool.”
He still competes in adult leagues around the area. “It's always been a burning passion of mine,” McLeod said. “It's what I think about, it's what I love.”
Fauquier is banking on that passion fueling a rebirth this season. The Falcons had miserable luck offensively last year, scoring less than two goals in 15 of 17 games. While McLeod obviously wants to improve that, his personal strategy starts on the other side of the pitch.
“Technically, I'm defensive-minded,” McLeod said, “so I start from the back and build a strong defense.”
The results spoke for themselves for Fauquier's JV in 2007. The Falcons chalked up 10 clean sheets in McLeod's first — and final — term there.
He expects to utilize a 4-4-2 formation often, but said he may change depending on how early practices go. One thing is for certain, though: McLeod is excited for the test ahead.
The Falcons' disappointing 2007 came a mere two seasons after a Northwestern District championship and regional berth. McLeod believes that he is the right guy to help restore that level of success.
“With the new high school [Kettle Run], this is the last real opportunity for this team to be successful at the AAA level,” McLeod said. “We'll just see how far we can take this thing,”
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