Jacob Wallace is set to lead the Wright City girls soccer program. 

Wright City Activities Director David Evans recently announced the hire of Wallace as the head girls soccer coach. Wallace takes over for Devin Raney, who resigned from the position after last season. Raney accepted an administrative role at Wright City High School. 

“I was pretty good friends with the former head girls soccer coach,” Wallace said. “We actually coached middle school football together for a little while. And I just knew he had established a pretty good program and a pretty decent culture. I’ve been looking forward to making my own mark on a program for a little while now and to get some head coaching experience.”

Although he has not been involved with soccer for awhile, Wallace did grow up around the game. Wallace’s mother was a high school coach when Wallace was growing up. Wallace played soccer through middle school, at which time he stopped playing soccer to play football. 

“It’s been a game that’s been around my family for awhile,” Wallace said. “I’ve been reading and stuff like that. It’s something I have to readjust my learning curve for sure.” 

One of Wallace’s top priorities once he accepted the job was to meet with the returning players, especially the upperclassmen who have been around the program for a couple years. He wanted to know what they enjoy most about the soccer program and certain things that can be improved upon. 

Wallace said he is hoping to coach a team that is competitive  on the field and also shows strong attention to detail. 

“I’m pretty competitive myself,” Wallace said. “It’s kind of hard to motivate if the player doesn’t have a desire to be the best version of themselves. I just think that relentless desire to be better and kind of compete with themselves every day and just improve every day. Those are definitely some attributes I hope people can see in a Wright City girls soccer team.”

A former resident of southern Illinois and a Lindenwood University graduate, Wallace is in his seventh year working for the Wright City district. Wallace has been an assistant coach on the football team for the past four seasons. He also has experience coaching basketball.   

Wallace thinks his experience as a teacher at Wright City High School and as a coach at the high school will help him in his new role. 

“I think my level of experience with Wright City kids and the community and the parents in a lot of different sports has definitely helped prepare me and really see where the challenges are and where Wright City programs really excel,” Wallace said.  

Wright City is slated to begin the 2023 spring season  March 27 against Mexico High School.