A sports team’s head coaches play an incredibly formative role in the life of an athlete. Not only are they responsible for managing the game and teaching the ins and outs of the sport’s system, but a coach will often impart crucial life lessons that their players will grow from. This is most significant in college-level sports, when many of these players are away from home for the first time. Moving to a completely new area without any familiar people is an incredibly difficult achievement for an 18 year old, and for student athletes, their coach often becomes their substitute parental figure. With his final season nearing its end, Hofstra University men’s soccer head coach Richard Nuttall has filled the expectations of his role for 37 years. Over his 37-year tenure at the helm of the men’s soccer program, Nuttall has established himself not only as a multiple-time CAA title winner, but also as a championed father figure for his teams’ athletes.

Nuttall’s magnetic personality and kind demeanor is a large reason why Hofstra is an attractive destination for soccer players, even as a mid-major school.

“It was so nice for me to have someone like him as the coach,” said Laurie Goddard, current captain of the men’s soccer team. “He was someone that, whenever I saw him, he would make a joke, make me smile [and] make me feel comfortable, especially in my first spring semester.”

Goddard is one of many international players that have come through the Hofstra program. Nuttall himself is originally from England, so he understands how it feels to leave your home nation for a life in the United States. 

“After that first call, it was a safe bet to come to America and play for [Nuttall],” said George O’Malley, former captain and five-year defensive starter from England. “There was so much in common with my family at home [and the team].”

Nuttall places a great emphasis on becoming involved in his players’ lives away from the field. 

 Nuttall’s charisma and welcoming energy fosters a family-like environment on the team. His eagerness to get to know his players and check in on how they are doing makes the entire team feel important.

“He just takes everyone under his wing,” O’Malley said. “I couldn’t tell you how, it’s just how he treats people and how he makes everyone feel welcome.”

Coaches have to take the role of a teacher as well, even if their lessons – like Nuttall’s – are the kind that could never be taught in a classroom.

“He always pushes great values, which can translate on and off the pitch,” Goddard said. “It’s not just about football; it’s about life. He will drift pieces of advice into those conversations without making it feel like teaching that I think rubs off on us as players.”

On the field, Nuttall’s passion and knowledge of the game has translated into sustained success. As a former midfielder and striker, Nuttall brought an offensive philosophy to Long Island. The Pride has scored at least two goals per game each season since 2017 – O’Malley’s first year. As a CAA Player of the Year midfielder and forward, Goddard has taken advantage of Nuttall’s history at the position.

 “A lot of the conversations we have out of training are about scoring goals, and he would give me little tips and tricks,” Goddard said.

Goals galore have led the Pride to 364 wins and counting during the Nuttall era. Yet, when there is a loss, he reminds players that the minor setback is not the end of the world.

Former Hofstra All-American defender Pierce Infuso recalled the final game of the 2023 season, where the Pride fell to the University of North Carolina (UNC) in penalty kicks. Despite the heartbreaking loss, Nuttall still inspired his squad. 

“I just remember him telling me ‘It’s going to be okay, we’re going to be good,’” Infuso said. “His inspiration to have us keep going, to keep pushing, to keep grinding throughout those losses just shows how much of a leader [he is].”

Nuttall tends to find leaders in unexpected people. Nuttall’s close relationships and honest conversations with his players oftentimes allow them to break out of their shells and assume leadership roles. Goddard is a perfect example.

“He definitely helped me grow and learn that my voice is respected when I speak,” Goddard said.

Nuttall understands that great leaders are necessary not just for soccer teams, but for shaping impactful civilians in the world as well. He takes great pride and joy in being a part of these young men’s development, listing it on several occasions as part of the reason he has loved coming into work each day. He has provided them with transferable skills and attributes they can carry wherever the future may lead them.

“Over the last four and a half, five years with him, I’ve been able to mature as a person, express gratitude and pride every single time I’m off the field,” Infuso said.

Off the field, there is a lengthy chunk of time spent as a team traveling to and from away games. Team-bonding is a crucial part of on-field success, and Nuttall is very much aware of this. It’s on these road trips where a more unknown part of his personality comes to the forefront. As a curious individual, he is not only interested in his players’ lives, but also about their entertainment.

“He’s got a lot of general knowledge about random things in the world,” Goddard said. “We play a lot of trivia and quizzes, and he loves to get involved with them, and he’s pretty good at them as well.”

As Nuttall’s time heading the men’s soccer team comes to a close, it is safe to say that he has done his job. He has won, he has taught, and most importantly he has created an ever-lasting, ever-growing 37-year-old blossoming family tree within the Hofstra University men’s soccer program.