New Wisconsin women's soccer head coach Paula Wilkins, who arrived in Madison last week, was introduced to members of the media Monday at the UW athletic department's weekly press conference. Wilkins was named the 2005 National Coach of the Year and won six Big Ten Championships in six years at Penn State.
Wilkins said there were several reasons behind her decision to move to UW-Madison after a highly successful stint at Penn State.
""I've always loved Madison [and] the university here is doing a great job with their athletic department right now,"" Wilkins said. ""The other part is to challenge myself as a coach.""
Her immediate goal is for the team to compete for a Big Ten championship and put themselves on the map as a national soccer power.
She listed the strong support from the university, academics and the athletic department as factors that would propel Wisconsin back amongst the nation's soccer giants.
""They've been very receptive,"" Wilkins said after meeting the soccer players. ""I think it's very important that they embrace change and the different culture that I'm going to bring with me in the sense of work rate and [a competitive] attitude.""
When asked about what the team needed to compete for the Big Ten Championship, Wilkins said: ""I think the biggest thing is consistency and making them competitive in everything.""
She also cited the need to instill confidence and a stronger mentality in the team so they would be able to thrive in high-pressure situations.
Wilkins made clear her intentions to build a successful culture around the team, much like the football, hockey and basketball teams. ""I want the program here to understand that's what they're representing all the time.""
The building of culture has already begun. ""It starts the first day in practice. We're doing that every day,"" Wilkins said.
Wilkins added that she expects her players to take ownership of their program and she challenged them to improve and make the difference for the team.
""I was a little concerned that I'd have to play my former team,"" Wilkins admitted when asked about making a career switch in the same division. ""But it's once a year, and I know how to beat them, so I'm pretty excited about that.""
Her two main priorities for now are the team and recruitment for 2007 and 2008. She is currently interviewing staff and hopes to have a full staff in place in a week or two.
