Years of hard work and commitment have finally paid off for Lindsey Overby, who has been named the new head coach for the Owensboro Catholic High School girls’ soccer team.
Overby is taking over after Kelli Brannock stepped down from the position to relocate back to her hometown with her family.
Overby, a graduate of Apollo High School and Brescia University, has been a part of the Lady Aces’ program for nearly eight years, but her coaching experience dates back to 2006 when she got started at the recreational league at Thompson Berry. Overby was involved with several different teams in various leagues and age levels before getting the opportunity to join the Catholic staff.
She was working with United Academy when middle school coach Dan Goodwin and high school coach Durand Engineer approached Overby about helping them.
“That day was a turning point for me as a coach and as a person,” she said. “I’ll never forget that day because I became a part of something big, bigger than myself. I joined a second family. I have never been a part of something where everyone — coaches, players, parents, the entire student body, administration, community — is so supportive, encouraging and positive.”
Though she always wanted to be a head coach at the high school level, Overby was more than pleased with her position and was especially happy when Brannock offered her the JV head coach position.
“That was a huge promotion in my eyes,” Overby said. “It couldn’t get any better for me. But I was wrong, it got better. The head coach position opened up and I applied.”
Applying was still a decision that filled Overby with plenty of nerves.
“It’s always been a lifelong goal of mine, but I wasn’t sure I was truly ready,” she said. “I’m not sure that you ever are, you just have to be willing to take a leap of faith. It wasn’t until (Athletic Director David) Blanford approached me, along with some requests from parents and players of the program, that I felt that this was my opportunity to take that leap.”
Overby wants the opportunity to continue to build the program. She said she wants to be able to continue to support, encourage, teach and watch the players grow as players and as young ladies. Overby said her tenure with the program was probably a big factor in her earning the position.
“They saw my loyalty and dedication,” she said. “I know the program. I know the girls and have close relationships with all of them, along with their families. They know I will do what it takes to support the girls in any way I can, both on and off the field.”
As an assistant for the last several years, Overby has been part of a long stretch of success. The Lady Aces have won three All “A” Classic state titles, five 3rd Region championships and three 9th District titles, and they made two trips to the KHSAA Final Four.
Overby is hoping to continue that level of success and will rely on the rest of the staff as well as support from the community while she transitions to the head coaching role.
“I have learned a tremendous amount through (Engineer and Brannock),” she said. “I have big shoes to fill, most definitely, but I have those two to lean on for guidance and advice as I transition into the roles they once played. No doubt, I have a lot of work ahead of me, but I have the resources and support to know that the girls will be successful, no matter what.”
An early goal for Overby is to make sure her players have plenty of confidence in themselves.
“I want to teach the girls how to read the game on their own and analyze it and feel comfortable to make changes on the field as they need to,” she said. “I look to the seniors this year to really lead the team on the field.”
Overby said as she tries to continue to build on the foundation of her predecessors, she’ll try to mix in their expertise with her own experiences. Without giving much of her strategy away, Overby said success will rely on dedication from her players.
“Work hard in practice and it will come naturally in the game,” she said. “Everything else will surface when the season starts.”
