Mike Bartley has enjoyed plenty of success.
His teams have won league titles and qualified for state tournaments. He fields consistent winners year after year.
But this season was different. In just his second year as the head coach of the Jackson High School girls soccer team, Bartley took the Timberwolves to the Class 4A state semifinals for the first time in school history. The achievement is remarkable considering Jackson won just three games and scored just six goals in 2002, the year before Bartley’s arrival.
For directing a season that included a District 1 championship, a Wesco South title and his first trip to the Final Four, Bartley is The Herald’s 2004 All-Area Girls Soccer Coach of the Year.
Bartley, who also coaches the Jackson boys, called this season the highlight of his career. The Jackson girls went 14-6-1 on their way to fourth place in the state.
“We were consistent throughout the year,” he said. “It’s one of (my) first teams that played that consistently.”
Dozens of people, including players, assistant coaches, administrators and trainers, made it happen, Bartley said. He said his greatest personal achievement was helping the Jackson players feel comfortable in uncharted territory. Once his team made the playoffs, Bartley gave each player a calendar that charted every minute the Timberwolves would spend together for several weeks, all the way to the state finals. Practices, classroom strategy sessions, games – they were all there.
Like most coaches, Bartley usually asks his athletes to focus on one game at a time. But he felt they needed a different approach. “I set up a schedule … so they could see the big picture. It was easier on them mentally,” he said.
Jackson assistant coach Kris Brauns has witnessed Bartley’s positive impact on the Timberwolves from Day One.
“He knew the direction he wanted to take the girls and he was able to implement that,” Brauns said. “Working with him gave all of us (assistants) rules for what we could do. He is so passionate about the sport and the girls. He’s just brought a very determined, organized, passionate package to Jackson.”
Bartley’s enthusiasm drives him to devote extra hours to prepare the Timberwolves for every challenge.
“I’m really impressed with how he does a great job of focusing for each game,” Brauns said. “He scouts extremely well.”
Just as important, Brauns said, is the way Bartley relates to his players.
“He is a great guy. He is fun, very caring,” Brauns said. “I don’t think (the Timberwolves) would want to do anything but perform well for him.”
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
