The Cincinnati Enquirer high school sports team is bringing back a popular feature, Coaches Confidential, to the 2026 slate of coverage.
The idea is for coaches to answer questions anonymously about their
sport so readers can focus on the message instead of the messenger. While football coaches have been the primary focus in past features, we asked soccer and volleyball coaches to weigh in this year.
Coaches not on the mailing list who wish to answer questions may reach out to mlaughman@enquirer.com.
This week's question for soccer coaches: Which Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky soccer coaches do you respect the most and why?
Andy Boyd, Anderson
"The Anderson High School girls soccer coach is one whom I have a lot of respect for. He is always professional, looking out for the players who deserve recognition, not just girls in his conference. Andy has had a lot of success at Anderson and that is not a coincidence."
Dan Brady, Madeira, Sami Cunningham, Mason, and Mike Fee, Summit Country Day
"The ranks of high school soccer coaches have turned over year after year. Outside of Mike Fee and myself, all the other Miami Valley Conference coaches are new. Crazy! I have so much respect for coaches who stay with high school soccer vs always being club coaches and getting more money. Mike Fee is a great friend. I have so much respect for Dan Brady and his intensity but he also has an incredible connection with his players. Sami Cunningham is fabulous at Mason. Love when great players come back to coach; we need more of this in the coming years - female role models for our girls."
Rick Cooper, Lakota West
"Partially biased here, as a Lakota West alum, but I had Cooper as a coach back in my playing days. Veteran leader, always produces great teams and the culture allows for continued success year in and year out. Has a great staff underneath him as well."
Bryan Daniels, Indian Hill
- "He also does a fantastic job. His teams are always organized, well-coached, and play with confidence. He has built a culture where expectations remain high every season."
- "One of the best coaches I know, as well as a person. Bryan continually develops his teams and puts a strong squad on the field every year. State championship winner two years ago. Great educator, great coach with an amazing staff."
Ryan Derge, Wyoming
"Ryan gets his kids to play hard and with great chemistry. His teams are always very difficult to beat. Ryan is always humble and has a unique way about doing things. He is truly comfortable being himself and coaching the game to fit his players."
Kelsey Eatherton, Highlands
"She left a strong impression on me. Her team's success didn't surprise me in the slightest. She coaches with a firm but caring presence, a balance I strive to have in my own program. In fact, I even found myself sitting among the Bluebird supporters (while proudly wearing Beechwood red, of course) as Highlands took on NDA at Conner last season. I enjoy watching good soccer, learning from other coaches, and supporting our local game whenever I can."
Mike Fee, Summit Country Day
"Mike’s teams are always fun to watch. He puts the greater game above all else and shows class in everything he does."
Jamie Harloff, Turpin
- "He is one of the best coaches in the area. He runs a very disciplined program, and his teams are always difficult to beat regardless of the talent on the roster. He has built a culture where expectations remain high every season."
- "Don’t know him personally, but repeatedly puts out championship-level teams. Strong culture, hard-nosed, and players love playing for him. Very good assessment of teams/players come All-Southwest voting."
Theresa Hirschauer, Cincinnati Country Day
- "There is no coach I respect more than Theresa Hirschauer at CCD. Theresa has sustained success over more than three decades. Her teams are always well prepared and she approaches the game, the officials, the opponents and the fans with class. Every young coach should model their craft after her."
- "I have been playing vs. CCD for many years and have always enjoyed the cross-state competitive matches and styles. She is a great motivator of athletes and her players always seem to push themselves for her. That is a great standard and sign that they are respected."
Jill Helms, Milford; Bridgit Reder, Lakota West and Kevin Spraul, Oak Hills
"These coaches have been stalwarts of their respective leagues, always get the most from their players, and have always represented Cincinnati well at the state level."
Mike Hughes, Conner
"Conner's head coach Mike Hughes is a very experienced coach who knows how to get the best out of his players. A positive coach who is impactful to his players' development on and off the field."
Ben Lighthall, Boone County
"Ben Lighthall at Boone County and I seem to view coaching high school girls soccer through a very similar lens. The language we use, the way we communicate with our players, and our commitment to developing young women first and soccer players second all really resonated with me. That's not to say we don't want to win; we absolutely do. But winning and developing players aren't mutually exclusive. As coaches, we wear a lot of hats. Our job is to challenge our players while treating them with respect, lead with understanding, build their confidence both on and off the field, and help them find joy in the game. All of that was evident in our match against Boone County. After the game, I made a point to introduce myself and tell Ben how much I appreciated his demeanor, his team's style of play, and the genuine care he has for his program."
Brian Nelson, Cincinnati Christian School
"Brian gets the most out of his players and he is a true example of sportsmanship and joy. Amazing human being."
Paul Rockwood, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy
"Paul has been around the game of soccer for decades and has been able to consistently maintain his successful style of coaching. Players love playing for Paul and coaches respect him. Paul loves the game and he loves the relationships that it has given him. Playing against Paul is always a great game. He is one of the great ones."
Brian Schepper, St. Xavier
"He has built one of the most consistent programs in Ohio. He demands a lot from his players, but year after year they compete at a very high level. He has built a culture where expectations remain high every season."
Kevin Spraul, Oak Hills
"Has always been helpful to younger coaches."
John Volker, West Clermont
"His teams are always very disciplined, and his results speak for themselves."
Patrick Luken, Walton-Verona, and Cory Dan, Notre Dame Academy
"As a coach at a small school, Patrick consistently develops a fine team that plays together each season. Cory consistently finds innovative ways to meld extremely talented players into a cohesive and well-coached team."
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Most respected 2026 Cincinnati soccer coaches | Coaches confidential
