Photo by Anthony L. Taylor Rochester Adams new coach Nate Norman gives his squad a pep talk at halftime during a game against Troy High Sept. 4. Norman returned to his alma mater to coach after longtime coach Juan Delgado retired.

By Sue Teggart
C & G Sports Writer

ROCHESTER HILLS — Nate Norman’s path through the world of club, high school, college and professional soccer has led him back to the place where it all began.

Norman, 23, a Rochester Hills resident, has taken the reins of the boys soccer team at Rochester Adams from his former coach, Juan Delgado, who stepped down after nine seasons with the Highlanders.

Though he’s had plenty of experience playing soccer at all levels, this is Norman’s first attempt coaching.

“It’s a learning experience because it’s really the first time I’ve ever really ran a team,” Norman said. “All the kids have good attitudes. In that sense, wins and loses aside, it’s been fun because they all want to learn and work hard.”

Getting his kicks
Despite this being his first coaching position, Norman’s soccer pedigree is second to none.

Growing up playing soccer, Norman climbed the soccer ranks, playing club soccer for Vardar and in the Olympic Development Program.

While at Adams, he helped the squad to its first district championship and later to a state championship in 1999.

During Norman’s prep career, Adams boys soccer combined for a 64-16-9 overall record.

“We always had a lot of success,” Norman said of playing at Adams. “It was a great experience; it was fun playing for Juan. I played with great kids, and we had a talented team.”

After being recruited by Notre Dame, Norman bid farewell to Adams and headed to South Bend, Ind., where his four-year career with the Irish included reaching the Big East title game three times, winning the title in 2003.

“Those were probably the four best years of my life, soccerwise,” Norman said of playing at Notre Dame. “We always had success. Overall,  it was an unbelievable four years.”

With his heart now set on playing professionally, Norman was selected by the Chicago Fire with the 21st overall pick in the 2007 Major League Soccer draft.  He played only half of one season with the Fire before an injury forced him to the sidelines. Later that year, he hooked up with the United Soccer League’s First Division Charleston Battery.

But after a series of injuries to his right quadriceps, Norman had to give up playing high-level soccer and returned home.

Coming home again
With his playing days now over, he seems to be a perfect fit to lead his former team. After an endorsement from Delgado, he was given the opportunity.

“I think so far it’s been a really good experience,” said Norman, who is staying busy since returning home by also coaching the Bloomfield Force, an 8-and-under youth soccer team, and serving as a youth minister at Kensington Community Church in Troy.

“All the guys are responding very well and are working very hard for me.”

Senior captain Kyle Taylor said having a younger coach is great.

“He’s a great influence on all of us,” Taylor said. “He knows all aspects of the game. Nate is younger, and he’s someone I can relate to.”

Norman said he sees this as an opportunity to do two things: continue a tradition of high-level soccer and continue the legacy that Delgado built.

“I’m excited for the challenge,” Norman said.  “I respect Juan, so I want to carry on the kind of things that he did and make sure I keep that tradition of success.”

Last year marked Adams’ second consecutive league title, but it also lost a host of talented players to graduation. This year’s squad is off to a good start at 1-0-2 in the Oakland Activities Association Red Division, 2-0-3 overall at press time, including a 2-1 win over Troy High Sept. 4.

“We lost a lot of players last year, but we really came together and worked really hard in the offseason,” Taylor said. “A lot of people expected us to be bad because we lost so many people, but we’re gaining recognition because of our success so far.”

“I wasn’t really sure how talented this team was going to be, and people were saying it might be a learning curve, but I haven’t seen any of that,” Norman said. “We’ve been in every single game, playing some tough teams in the state, so I don’t see any reason why we can’t continue the success they’ve had the past five or six years.”

You can reach Sports Writer Sue Teggart at steggart@candgnews.com or at (586) 279-1107.