Harding University soccer coach Greg Harris enjoyed working with the New Iberia Senior High boys’ soccer team last year at the Rice University Soccer Academy, so much so that he was more than happy to head to New Iberia this summer to work with the Yellow Jackets again.

Harris coaches both the men’s and women’s programs at Harding, a private Christian university in Searcy, Ark. He’s spent the past three days at NISH, working with the Jackets from 7:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. each day, with a couple of breaks for meals each day.

“We had a good time last summer,” said Harris. “I just enjoyed working with them. They were a real enjoyable unit, and they worked hard. And they went on to have some real success last year.”

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The Jackets attended the Rice camp the last couple of summers, and some of the NISH players had attended the camp individually before that, NISH coach Kevin Hardy said, but the coaching staff thought it would be better to bring in the coach who helped them last year for a camp in town.

“The training and everything on the field is virtually the same,” said NISH senior forward/center mid Andrew Landry.

While the bonding experience may have been a little different last year, since the team had to spend all its time together either at the camp, eating or at hotels, Landry said that with the extended days the team is spending together it is a similar experience.

“He’s a good coach,” said Landry. “That’s why we got him a second time.”

Senior defender Tyler Hughes said that he’s enjoyed the work with Harris.

“He’s really good with handling a big group but he can also get down to a one-on-one level,” said Hughes.

Harris, who holds a doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy from UL-Monroe, said that he’s worked with the Jackets this year on goals that the team and coaches have set for themselves.

On the first day of the camp, the team worked on defense. Tuesday was spent on possession-oriented work, and Wednesday and today were attacking movement days.

“We won’t totally have it done by the time I’m done here, but it gives them a starting point,” said Harris. “The coaches will go on from there.”

One of the main goals the team is working on is developing chemistry after the loss of a dozen seniors from last year’s record-setting squad. There are five seniors on this year’s team.

“We’re trying to bring the team together,” said Landry. “We want to get some chemistry going, get some team spirit going, and develop some leadership.”

“I’m looking to help make the team pretty much the same level as last year,” said Hughes. “But also I’m looking to become a team leader. (The camp) is pretty much making us (seniors) step up to be leaders.”

“They’re really young,” said Harris. “It’s the repetition for the young ones. It started Monday with the repetition. If they continue doing things the way they have this week for me, they’ll grow up soon.

“They had a great class of seniors last year. This is a young group coming up that needs to get its feet wet. I’m excited to watch them grow. I’m excited to see what they do this year because you never know.

“In two or three years, who knows how good they can be. This is a program that can grow. Now they know (after last year’s success) they can win.”

The connection he feels to the group started last year, he said. Coaching men’s and women’s soccer is not overly difficult, though it makes for a tiring season and a difficult offseason trying to attend high school games to recruit for both squads.

“I’ve got great kids,” he said. “It’s not difficult coaching them. I love what I do. I love the kids, first and foremost.

“It’s the same with these kids in New Iberia. I’ve worked with more talented teams, but I like these kids. They’re fun and they work hard. I’ll work with any group like that.”

And his time in New Iberia has been special, he said, starting with NISH coaches Hardy, Brandon Francis, Glen Gary and Whitney Labiche.

“The parental support that this team has is unbelievable,” said Harris.