Women's Soccer | 9/20/2024 10:00:00 AM

BLOOMSBURG, Pa. - 132 miles. That distance is the furthest women's soccer head coach Matt Haney ever was from his hometown of Benton in his coaching career. The unquantifiable measurement is his impact at Bloomsburg and the personal importance of serving his players and institution.

Haney's athletic journey began in the small borough of Benton, Pa. Playing a variety of sports growing up, the 10th-year skipper felt most at home on the soccer field, defending the net. The influence of the person closest to him, former head baseball coach and father Matt Haney, nurtured Haney's future path and passed down the joys. Haney said of his desire to coach from a young age, "I always wanted to coach. My father was involved in my youth coaching. He became a coach at the high school level and then went on to the collegiate level."

The path to a 10th season at Bloomsburg was unconventional. The trials and tribulations along the way eventually reinvigorated his spirit for the profession. Haney got his first opportunity to work with the York College men's soccer team as an assistant and goalkeeper coach for four seasons, with a stint as interim head coach in 2001. Haney's first full-time leading role saw him follow a similar path to his late father, landing the head job at Millville Area High School. The next stop on the road led Haney to Saint Francis (Pa.) before returning for his second stint at York College from 2009-11. Haney then served as a volunteer assistant working with the goalkeepers at Bucknell, finally returning to Bloomsburg in 2014 as an assistant for both men's and women's programs. 

Before 2014, Haney had never worked at the collegiate level on the women's side. It was when his predecessor resigned that Haney again took on an interim tag. At that time, he again fell in love, this time with the prospect of leading the women's team. In his words, it just "clicked." After throwing his name into the ring for the job, Haney has not left since.

In taking the mantle, Haney leaned on the lessons learned from each of his stops, showing great appreciation for those who prepared him for the better. Haney reflects on how excellent his mentors were before guiding the Maroon and Gold, how they resonated with him as true teachers of the game, and how all their different styles helped him build a sustainable repertoire for the future. Upon his arrival at Bloomsburg, Haney was under the coaching tutelage of former head coaches Paul Payne and Stephanie Anderson. As an assistant coach, Haney predicated himself on being a willing learner, graciously encompassing everything he learned from those most influential.

One additional item that came with taking on the women's head coaching job was continuing the legacy left by his father on the baseball diamond. Haney's late father left behind a long-standing legacy of his own at Bloomsburg. His father was the all-time winningest coach, becoming the first baseball coach for the Huskies to eclipse 300 career victories, finishing his 15 years with 314 wins. His memory and legacy reside with a plaque in the home dugout at Danny Litwhiler Field. "It's been amazing," Haney mentioned about carrying on his father's legacy. Haney recalls the emotions that encompassed the moment receiving the job offer. After accepting the job, Haney trekked to the same dugout his father led for all those years. Haney's father sadly passed before accepting the job. Even still, Haney could soak in his accomplishment and celebrate with his father. "He has always been in my heart and he always will be."

Haney describes the premise of his coaching philosophy as a "hard-working, honest approach." This principle is what Haney looks for from his players, seeking highly competitive individuals who share the same passion for the game he does. Structurally, Haney builds his teams through defense; However, they do not cower from high-octane attacking efforts in the final third. Versatility factors into the scheme, blending direct and indirect play to match his team's strengths. The honest approach to the game is what Haney expects from his players to reciprocate to maintain accountability. This approach has led Haney and the Huskies to a wealth of achievements in his time, including two PSAC Championships and four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances from 2018 to 2022, featuring back-to-back NCAA Elite Eight appearances in 2018 and 2019.

Haney's coaching experience and upbringing are rooted in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, having the fortune to develop as a person and coach in the Keystone State. "We're fortunate," Haney said regarding the institution, location, and quality of local talent. Haney explains how using the history and platform of Bloomsburg is crucial to bringing in the right players and students into the program. Part of the makeup Haney looks for from prospective student-athletes is pride in the academic aspects of the process. The team's yearly tradition of garnering the United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Award is part of the classroom expectations. "It's great to see bright young minds coming to Bloomsburg to participate in a sport that they and I love," Haney said, speaking of his program. During team events, part of that love for the game stretches to local youth in the surrounding communities. In a concerted effort, the team seeks to pass down the same principles fundamental to the program and what it means to be a Husky.

In Haney's words, part of building and maintaining high-level success is surrounding yourself with the right people. Having those people in place allows Haney to sustain a culture accepted by players and parents. "Parents understand this is a new beginning for their children," Haney noted in discussing student-athletes' experiences. "We make it evident that we are going to support them in everything they need." Unity and cohesion are the final pieces of a foundation that made Haney successful in his time in charge. "We are in it together. That togetherness is what drives the success of this program." 

Last season, Haney became the third coach in program history to reach 100 wins. In the fifth game of the 2024 season, Haney added to his career achievements with win 105, making him the second-winningest coach in the team's history. Speaking on the subject, Haney joked about his longevity. "It means I survived," he quipped. "It takes time in our sport to accumulate wins with the opportunity to draw a lot of matches. If you are winning at the clip that we have, you have been pretty successful. Haney's history with Bloomsburg and the women's soccer program dates back to the inaugural 1990 season, with Chuck Laudermilch building it from the ground up. Haney's respect for his predecessors emanates from the current identity of his team. "I watched Chuck Laudermilch set the bar so extremely high and then Sandy Dickson coming in behind; I knew I wanted to honor both of them," Haney remarked. "Unfortunately, we have lost Sandy, but Chuck and I still talk. He still gives me advice. To know I passed him is an absolute honor." To Haney, having the opportunity to stay around long enough to be the winningest coach would be a tribute to those who set the standard. "I want this program, Bloomsburg, and the athletic department to succeed." 

With plenty still to play for in 2024, the focus remains on the games ahead. The day-by-day approach Haney holds will look to compel his squad to another winning campaign. Being a Husky is something long ingrained in his experience at Bloomsburg. Everything Haney encapsulates began at a young age, falling in love with the game he coaches and heeding the words of his mentors since his father coached Haney himself. Haney's coaching stops may all be within a two-and-a-half-hour drive, but the legacy he continues to build ranges far beyond a measured distance.