With the Taylor men’s soccer season underway, Trojans fans will notice a different face leading the team. Coach Gary Ross and his two decades at the helm of TU soccer moved into a new administrative role in the athletic department. The reins have now passed to interim head coach Drew Glover.
Glover has been with Taylor as an assistant to the team for the past two seasons. In his playing career, he was a four-year starter at Indiana Wesleyan University and team captain during his senior year. His love for the game began during his childhood.
“My dad played in college and coached afterward, so when other kids were throwing the football or baseball around with their dads, we were kicking around a soccer ball,” Glover said.
His dad’s hard work paid off. Glover’s skills landed him a spot on several club teams in his youth, such as Piedmont Triad FC and NC Fusion. He also credits his non-soccer-related experiences for shaping him into the leader and coach he is today.
“They didn’t just teach us soccer,” Glover said. “They taught us about being servant leaders, about the impact that we would have on those around us and being men for others. They taught us to lead by serving others.”
After his playing days and years as a graduate assistant, an assistant coaching position opened up at Taylor, Glover said he had to take it.
Now stepping in as a first-time head coach, some unexpected challenges already began before the season started.
“You have to prioritize your time very selectively,” he said. “You have to be very good at saying what the most important thing is and doing that. Then you can worry about the other things.”
One area Coach Glover won’t have to worry about is covered by star senior goalie Sam Spiegel. Described as “beast” in the net, Spiegel’s rock solid defense is a welcome presence on the pitch.
Spiegel has tallied 212 total saves over his three years with the Trojans and heading into his senior year, Glover says he expects Spiegel to make an impact not only on the scoreboard but also on teammates.
“I told him that he’s going to have a target on his back as the No. 1 guy but I want him to look at those younger goalies on the team and tell them to catch him if they can,” Glover said. “He has embraced it and loves that kind of mentality.”
Senior Bryce Lawrence is another player looking to leap forward the Trojans. The jack-of-all-trades has played minutes at every position for the Trojans outside of goalie.
Another player that Glover gets the unique privilege of coaching is his younger brother, junior Carter Glover, which comes with its own set of unique challenges.
“When we are all together as a team, we have a player-coach relationship,” Glover said. “But when we are away from the team, we are brothers again. We also make sure to just hang out off campus and just be bros.”
Under Glover’s leadership, the Trojans are not only aiming for success on the scoreboard but strive to embody the values of teamwork and leadership that he holds dear. The journey ahead promises to be an exciting one, as the Taylor men’s soccer team sets out to build on its legacy and embrace new opportunities.
