Micah Adkins-Estes Joins Missouri State Men’s Soccer as Assistant Coach
SPRINGFIELD – The Missouri State men’s soccer team has a new addition to its coaching staff. Micah Adkins-Estes has been hired as an assistant coach, as announced Thursday afternoon by Missouri State head coach Michael Seabolt.adkins-Estes brings a wealth of experience, including a recent stint at Spalding University, where he helped lead the Golden Eagles to their first-ever St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament title and an NCAA Tournament appearance.
Seabolt Welcomes Adkins-Estes to the Bears
Head Coach michael Seabolt expressed his enthusiasm for the new hire, stating, I am thrilled to welcome Micah to the staff.
He further emphasized Adkins-Estes’s qualifications, noting, He impressed throughout the interview process and his references spoke very highly of him.
Seabolt also acknowledged the existing coaching staff, saying, Danny Frid and Kian Yari are doing a great job and I have no doubt Micah will settle in quickly with our staff.
He highlighted Adkins-Estes’s personal qualities and potential contributions: Micah is a hard worker, a high character person and passionate to grow as a coach. We have a top group of goalies for Micah to work with and I know Micah will fulfill a ton of other roles with the student-athletes and the program.
Adkins-Estes’s Coaching Background
Prior to joining Missouri state, Adkins-Estes spent the 2024 season as an assistant men’s soccer coach at Division III Spalding University in Louisville. His tenure there culminated in the golden Eagles’ historic St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament victory and subsequent advancement to the DIII NCAA Tournament.
Before Spalding, Adkins-Estes served as the goalkeeper coach at Division III Wheaton College in Illinois. During the 2023 season, he contributed to the program’s 11-5-2 record and a second-place finish in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW). his guidance led junior Mason Escalante to be named the CCIW Goalkeeper of the Year. Concurrently, Adkins-Estes held the position of assistant technical director at Kickers Soccer Club in Aurora, Illinois.
Adkins-Estes began his coaching career with the Morehead State women’s soccer team and at his alma mater, Kentucky Christian University, where he coached the goalkeepers for both the men’s and women’s programs.
Collegiate Playing Career and Education
As a player, Adkins-Estes competed for Kentucky Christian in Grayson, a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA). His achievements include being named an NCCAA Conference Goalkeeper of the Year, an NCCAA National Defender of the Week, and an NCCAA All-Tournament first-team player for the knights, who were two-time NCCAA National Runner-Up. In 2018, he earned an NCCAA All-American Honorable Mention, recording nine clean sheets and averaging 5.3 saves per game. Notably, he made an NCCAA-high 15 saves against the University of Cincinnati – Clermont.
Adkins-Estes graduated from Kentucky Christian University in May 2020 with a degree in Biblical Studies,emphasizing sports ministry,and a minor in counseling.
Additional Coaching Experience
Beyond the collegiate level, Adkins-Estes served as the head coach at Greenwood Christian Academy in Indianapolis. Remarkably, he became the youngest coach in Indiana state history to lead the boy’s team to the state championship in just his second season.
Local Roots and High School Achievements
A native of Science Hill, Kentucky, Adkins-Estes is a graduate of Pulaski County High School in Somerset. During his senior year, he earned All-District and All-Region honors, captained the team, and led them to the regional semifinals.
Focus on Goalkeepers at Missouri State
Adkins-Estes will be responsible for overseeing the goalkeeper room, a role previously held by Dominic Gillespie for the past two seasons.In 2023, the Bears ranked eighth in Division I in team goals against average (.737), largely due to Harry Townsend’s nine shutouts and .706 goals against average, which placed him tenth nationally. Last season, Missouri State’s .833 goals against average was tied for 14th in the country, with Will Lowry’s .674 goals against average ranking fifth in Division I.
Seabolt expressed gratitude for Gillespie’s contributions, stating, A big thank you to Dominic Gillespie for his two years with us.dom was tireless to do everything it takes on and off the field and we respect and appreciate him for that. We wish him and his family well.Dom will always be a Bear!
Looking Ahead: American Athletic Conference and Recent Success
The Missouri State men’s soccer team is set to join the American Athletic conference in 2025, following 34 seasons in the Missouri Valley Conference. In 2024, the Bears secured a league-tying 12th regular season conference championship and boast the best overall Division I record as 2019 (83-15-10, .815). Missouri State is one of only seven teams to have qualified for the Division I NCAA Tournament in each of the last six seasons.
Final Approval Pending
The hiring of Adkins-Estes is contingent upon final approval by the Missouri State University Board of Governors at their next scheduled meeting.
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Missouri State Soccer’s Bold New Hire: An Interview wiht Coaching Expert Dr. Elena Ramirez
Did you know that the success of a collegiate soccer program hinges not just on player talent, but also on strategic coaching hires? The recent appointment of Micah Adkins-Estes as assistant coach for Missouri State’s men’s soccer team highlights this crucial aspect. Let’s delve into the implications of this critically important move with Dr. Elena Ramirez, a renowned expert in sports management and collegiate athletics.
Senior Editor (SE): dr. Ramirez, welcome. Micah Adkins-Estes’s appointment at Missouri State has generated considerable buzz. What are your initial thoughts on this hire, considering his impressive background at various collegiate levels and even high school?
Dr. Ramirez (DR): Thank you for having me. The hiring of Micah Adkins-estes is certainly a strategic move by Missouri State. His multifaceted coaching experience, encompassing roles at both Division III and now Division I institutions, speaks volumes about his adaptability and expertise. His success in leading Greenwood Christian Academy’s boys’ team to a state championship at such a young age also showcases his leadership potential and ability to connect with athletes. this diverse background makes him a valuable asset,a truly well-rounded addition to their coaching staff.
SE: His experience as a goalkeeper coach, including producing a CCIW Goalkeeper of the Year at Wheaton College, seems noteworthy for a team already known for strong goalkeeping. How crucial is dedicated goalkeeper coaching at the Division I level?
DR: Absolutely crucial. A skilled goalkeeper is a game-changer, impacting not only defensive performance but also team morale and overall strategy. Having a dedicated goalkeeper coach like Adkins-Estes, with a proven track record of developing talent, is a significant advantage. Missouri State’s past success in this area—ranking highly in goals against average— shows the payoff of investing in specialized coaching in this key position.
SE: The article mentions the ongoing transition of Missouri State men’s soccer into the American Athletic Conference in 2025. How will this move impact the team’s coaching needs and expectations? Does adkins-Estes’s hiring contribute to this transition?
DR: The transition to a new conference like the American Athletic Conference brings heightened competition and increased expectations. The program will require a coaching staff capable of adapting to this more competitive surroundings. Adkins-Estes’s experience across different levels and his demonstrated success at building winning programs directly addresses this need.His ability to help develop the next tier of college athletes and his demonstrable experience with triumphant program enhancement makes him an excellent fit for this phase of Missouri State’s advancement.
SE: The article highlights Adkins-Estes’s personal qualities, such as being a ”hard worker,” ”high character person,” and “passionate to grow as a coach.” How critically important are these non-technical attributes in a successful collegiate coach?
DR: In collegiate sports,technical skills are only part of the equation. A coach’s personal qualities are just as essential.Adkins-Estes’s demonstrable character, work ethic, and passion for coaching create a positive culture allowing for improved team dynamics and stronger relationships within the team, among athletes and coaches. This fosters an environment that’s conducive to player growth, both on and off the field. The team’s cohesive environment is key to their overall success.
SE: what are your overall predictions for Micah adkins-Estes’s impact on Missouri State’s men’s soccer team, considering his diverse background and the team’s existing strengths?
DR: I believe Adkins-estes will be a significant asset to Missouri State.his ability to develop goalkeepers,combined with his strong leadership skills and experience building winning cultures,makes him a perfect fit for a successful program. He has the potential to contribute substantially to future success, both on the field in improving players’ skills and off the field in reinforcing their team values. He could even mentor the existing staff, sharing knowledge and strengthening those relationships.
Key Takeaways:
The importance of specialized coaching: Dedicated staff for positions like goalkeeper are essential for competitiveness at the Division I level.
Importance of soft skills in coaching: A coach’s personality and work ethic heavily influence team dynamics and success.
* Strategic hiring for conference transitions: Adaptability and proven success are vital when moving to more competitive collegiate conferences.
What are your thoughts on Missouri State’s new coaching hire? Share your predictions in the comments below or discuss on social media using #BearsUnite!