Wickham ready for challenge with Cavaliers

CHILLICOTHE - When Zach Breth resigned as the head coach of Chillicothe's girls soccer program this past spring, Tyler Wickham's name was immediately brought up at his successor.

Someone had the right idea.

After four years of serving as an assistant coach on Breth's staff, Wickham was introduced as the Cavaliers' new head coach in April. 

Now, with less than a month left before Chillicothe opens its season against Washington Court House, Wickham has the challenge of replacing a coach who led the Cavaliers to a 57-28-7 mark over the past five years.

He's ready for the challenge.

"Zach and I are really similar in the way we coach, which is why we worked so well together," Wickham said. "We're friends, but it's funny because the only thing we agree on is soccer. We just get each other in that respect. There would be days where Zach would be saying something and I'd finish his sentence. The girls have gone through a bit of a transition, but it's been an easy one. It's gone really smooth. We're ready for the season to start."

Wickham is a 2006 graduate of Piketon High School, where he scored 45 career goals and was a four-year letter winner. He then attended Notre Dame College. Under Breth, Wickham was twice named the Division II District Assistant Coach of the Year. 

He also has served as the First Capital Football Club's assistant director of coaching since 2014.

But possibly the biggest selling points on his resume were the relationships he's already built with his players.

"They're all fantastic kids, and they've shown up to our summer events with fantastic attitudes," Wickham said. "Then you've got the incoming freshman class, whom the majority of played club for us. So I've known them growing up as well. The new girls that have shown up have fit right in. Everyone is real personal, and they like being around each other. Hopefully, that carries on."

Joining Wickham's coaching staff will be Justin Fisk, a club soccer coach who Wickham said has been the closest person to both Breth and himself.

"Justin asks the questions that Zach and I asked each other," Wickham said. "He's made us look at things in a different way. He's come in for the last few months and has really helped me when I've started to stray. I think he'll be a great fit."

On the field, a class of three seniors will lead a young roster. After last year's squad reached a Division II regional semifinal before falling to Granville, there's no doubt getting back to that level and looking for a different outcome is a long-term goal.

"For the last four years, we've really been a young team," Wickham said. "We've never really had a big senior group. This year, it's kind of the same deal. We could have six to ten freshmen play for us. So we may take our lumps early on as we simply adjust to the high school game. But that's when the leadership and experience of our seniors will come in. I'm pretty sure our returning girls are still upset with how last year ended. We'll work every day to get back to that point."

Wickham will make his head coaching debut Aug. 19 as the Cavaliers open up South Central Ohio League play at home.

"I'm excited. I was always told you never want to take a job after someone who's won a lot," Wickham said, smiling. "Zach was here five years and won two district titles while making it to three so there's a bit of pressure on me. But when I heard (Breth) was going to Rio and they said that I was the leading candidate, it was a nice feeling. It couldn't have worked out any better."

dwebb@chillicothegazette.com

Twitter: @dw1509