John Haws is following the footsteps of his father and grandfather as he takes over as head coach of the St. John’s soccer team.
Pat Haws retired as the winningest coach in Minnesota college men’s soccer history, leading the Johnnies to a 341-140-50 (.689) record and a 218-77-31 (.716) MIAC record in 37 seasons. He guided the Johnnies to seven regular-season conference titles and one MIAC playoff championship.
After last season, Pat decided the time was right to retire.
Part of Pat’s decision to retire stemmed from his desire to spend time with his grandchildren. Even though John and his wife Jennifer have two young daughters, he was ready to take over, his father said.
“Johnny was ready to go. It was time for him to take the team,” Pat said. “He was starving for the job.”
Pat began coaching at St. John’s in 1973 when he started the swim and dive program. In 1978 he took on the soccer team as well, coaching both until 1998 when he turned his full attention to soccer.
The two-time MIAC Coach of the Year is known for being full of stories and has been credited by many as a fantastic recruiter.
“I learned to absolutely love the first phone call to a kid,” Haws said. My job was to sell me and make the prospect of playing for me feel exciting.”
Despite being the assistant coach for the last 10 years and the son of the veteran head coach, John was never guaranteed the head coaching job. He had to go through the same process as everyone else when he applied for the position. John’s experience, coaching style and respect from the players gave him a leg up on the competition and ultimately, the job he dreamed of.
“He’s a guy who’s always had the respect of the players,” said assistant coach and former SJU soccer player Tudor Flintham. “A guy that obviously loves the game, he has true passion and true knowledge (for the game).”
Terry Haws, Pat’s father and John’s grandfather, coached the SJU wrestling team for six seasons. Sadly, John and his 23 cousins were never able to meet their grandfather, who died of a heart attack at age 49.
Pat’s parting gift to his son was the incoming first-year class that he and John recruited together. Pat said this group, “ranks as one of the best we’ve ever had.”
With a talented group of first-year and a solid core of seniors returning to the team, John Haws hopes his team can peak at the end of the season.
“If we’re in the top four, watch out,” he said.