After a disappointing season, the men’s soccer team received a new coach this year, Chuck Bechtol, who has been coaching for 17 years at a variety of different levels.

Bechtol said he decided to come to Linfield after feeling that the school had a solid  opportunity for success.

“I like the thought of being part of changing the culture and creating a program that the current players, future players and the alumni can be proud of,” Bechtol said in an email.

Bechtol has spent time coaching club soccer in McMinnville with MYSA as well as in Portland with FC Portland. In addition, he was the head coach of the boy’s soccer team for the past four years and the girl’s head coach for the past two years at McMinnville High School.

Bechtol said he felt that being an alumnus created much interest for him in coming back in hopes of becoming a part of the team and turning things around.

“[I wanted to be a coach because] it was a way for me to give back. Some of the greatest influential people in my life were the coaches I played for,” Bechtol said.

Bechtol said that by becoming a coach, he would be able to become a part of helping to develop people as well as players.

“The game has been very good to me, and I wanted to give back,” Bechtol said.

Bechtol played soccer, basketball and golf in high school, as well as soccer in college.

While here at Linfield, Bechtol has many goals for the future.

“My main goal is to create change,” Bechtol said. “And, to give the players who are currently in the program an opportunity to develop, improve and enjoy their experience here. To get better every day, both as players and people, on and off the field.”

Next season has high hopes for change. With the strength coming behind a new coach, the team will have a good chance of success.

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Samantha Sigler/News editor
Samantha Sigler can be reached at [email protected].