By John A. Fantino
Free Press Staff Writer

September 22, 2006
Wade Jean had a sweet gig coaching men's soccer at Duquesne University, not to mention a ton of success.

But the Georgia, Vt., native made a promise to his wife, Marcella, at the beginning of his career.

"I told her that if I ever had a chance to come back to Vermont then we would," the BFA-St. Albans and Johnson State College graduate vowed. "She's followed me all around the country doing this coaching thing."

He made good on his word, and St. Michael's College is reaping the benefits.

Jean, 40, took over SMC's men's soccer team in January, pulling the plug on an eight-year run as head coach of Duquesne, a nationally ranked Division I program in Pittsburgh.

The Green Mountains beckoned for a guy who accumulated an 82-54-14 record with the Dukes, earning Atlantic-10 Conference Coach of the Year honors an unprecedented four times for his effort.

Jean has wasted no time making an impact at St. Michael's. The Purple Knights are 6-1-2, the best start in the program's 46-year history. Not bad for a team that hasn't finished with more than seven wins since 1988 and was picked to finish 11th in Northeast-10 Conference coaches' preseason poll.

"It's unbelievable what's he's done with the program," SMC senior striker Glenn Sherman said. "He's changed our mentality 100 percent. To tell you the truth, it makes me wish I was a freshman again."

Jean admits that the shift from the Division I level to a Division II program with no scholarships has taken some adjustment. While he's patient with the development of his young personnel, there's one thing he demanded right from the jump.

"He made it very clear when he met with us in the spring that if you don't pass a series of fitness tests, you don't play," SMC junior goalie Tim Williamson said. "So everyone came into preseason in much better shape.

"There's no more laziness, no more being average," Williamson added. "We all work hard in every practice and every game."

The Purple Knights are coming off three consecutive shutout victories and they've yielded just two goals all season. But Jean isn't overly concerned with wins and losses at this point.

"The wins are nice and I'm proud of the guys for getting them," he said, "but my main focus is developing some core values and a consistent attitude. I want to develop a culture where a freshman that comes in here picks up on the work ethic."

Jean was a four-year starter as a defensive midfielder at Johnson State, serving as captain as a senior. He led the Badgers to three straight Mayflower Conference titles and received the Bryan Wendall Award, given to the player most dedicated to the program.

Quickly rising through the coaching ranks, Jean steered Duquesne to a pair of Atlantic-10 regular-season championships. These days he's relishing the proximity of his large family, which often flocks to Doc Jacobs Complex to cheer on the Purple Knights.

As a coach, Jean likes to jot down on a dry-erase board in the locker room the number of games his seniors have left in their college careers.

"I talk to the guys about being conscious of everything they do while they are here," he said. "It goes quickly. We want them to seize the moment."

Contact John A. Fantino at 651-4851 or jfantino@bfp.burlingtonfreepress.com