Former Cloud County coach hired as assistant soccer coach

Having spent the previous four seasons as the head men and women’s soccer coach at Cloud County Community College, Dane Straight will embark on a new challenge as he was recently hired as an assistant soccer coach at Cowley College.

Straight, who played and coached at Bethany College with Cowley head coach Roberto Dos Santos, is looking forward to being reunited with his long-time friend.

“Playing with Roberto at Bethany and then coaching with him for a couple of years, he is mainly the reason I am still involved with soccer,” Straight said. “So, the opportunity to come back and work with him again was too good to pass up. When I came down here to visit and see what Cowley was about it was pretty much a done deal.”

Straight has been involved with soccer as both a player and a coach for over 25 years. During his collegiate career at Bethany College, playing along side Dos Santos, the Swedes finished second twice, and were the KCAC champions in 1993.

Dos Santos feels fortunate to add Straight to the Tiger coaching staff.

“Dane will be a great asset to our program,” Dos Santos said. “He brings the experience of coaching, previously, in the Jayhawk Conference for four years. He is a very dedicated coach and understands the challenges and goals we are setting at Cowley.”

Straight began his coaching career as a volunteer assistant at Bethany College. He has also coached at Hays High School and spent two years as the head women’s soccer coach at McPherson College.

He holds state, regional, and advanced regional diplomas from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and an "E" coaching license from the United States Soccer Federation.

The opportunity to be a part of the new soccer programs at Cowley excites Straight.

“Everything that happens from here on is ours, we make the decisions and we live with the consequences and take a share in the victories,” Straight said. “Recruiting is our number one priority right now.”