Kicking Off a New Start at Mayo Field

Entering the 2026 season, both the Men’s and Women’s soccer programs share a parallel: former assistant coaches stepping into the head coach role, backed by assistant coaches who bring elite tactical balance. On the Gents’ side, Head Coach Joe O’Sullivan, 2025 Centenary Athletics Assistant Coach of the Year, collaborates with newly-graduated former Gents player, Sam Brocato. On the Ladies’ side, Head Coach Merlinn Campagna, who previously served as assistant coach in 2025, and veteran head coach Ana Ramos serve as head and assistant coach. Both programs are in a rebranding phase, focusing on their tactical identities, mental belief systems, and establishing community engagement.

Photo Credits: Alyssa Thornley

While the transition from teammate or assistant to head role can be intimidating, O’Sullivan and Brocato have turned their previously built relationships into an asset. O’Sullivan describes his style as “type B” and big-picture. He focuses on heavy possession, constant attack and player belief. Brocato brings organized concentration, or “type A,” initiating mandatory foam rolling before practices and games and leveraging his goalkeeper background to analyze full-field defensive positioning. 

“He focuses on Centenary’s team while I focus on the opponent…we actually like being around each other and want the players to have the autonomy to speak freely,” states Brocato.

O’Sullivan and Brocato are building on the Gents' 2025 record-breaking offense: 37 goals, 95 points. O’Sullivan highlights that winning is not just about strategy.

“It’s 90% soccer and 10% why you want to come here, but that 10% is more important than the 90%,” says O’Sullivan

To make a postseason breakthrough, the main obstacle is not physical capability, it is changing the team’s internal mindset from an 8th-place team to top SCAC contenders. Brocato’s focus centers on two phrases, “transition” and “next action.” Regardless of a missed shot or lost possession, the team that centers on the next action the fastest wins the game.

The Gents are making Mayo Field an entertainment spot for the student body. From custom goal songs for each player to “Star Wars” entrance songs and post-match fan celebrations, Gents soccer wants to create a space for students to support each other. 

"I want to emphasize and encourage people to get into our team photos after wins. We want to post those photos around campus and in the dome to help contribute to a sense of pride and belonging... In a small community like this, we all take turns standing on the shoulders of those around us in the moments that make our time here really special,” says Brocato.

Stepping into the head coach role, Campagna brings a thorough background. Campagna views her position as an educator rather than a dictator. She is determined to create self-sufficient decision-makers who understand the “why” behind every play on the pitch. Campagna has built a strict accountability rule. Players are banned from asking generic questions like “what can I do better?” Instead, they must ask scenario-specific questions that focus on moving the team forward and benefit the collective over the individual. Campagna wants the team to build unity. She directs the players to think about one another and how to move the team forward together. 

Her experience in strength and conditioning has helped her build targeted workout packets, injury prevention and physical endurance at the forefront of the Ladies’ identity. Campagna stated that the 2026 roster additions were recruited for immediate impact, speed of play, high soccer IQ and a desire for personal and collective growth. 

Campagna has a strong staff, strengthened by the addition of assistant coach Ramos. She brings head-coaching experience from Mississippi University for Women and SCAC expertise from McMurry and the University of the Ozarks. 

When asked what fans should expect to see for the 2026 season, Campagna responded with “organization.” She wants fans to see the team’s end goal and be able to name how the Ladies play. With high-tempo pressing, clear structure and an undeniable playing identity, the Ladies are expected to have an exciting season ahead.

As the 2026 season unfolds, both Centenary soccer programs are elevating their standards. Driven by coaches who know the community, respect the culture and bring extensive background experience, Mayo Field is set to have some of the most exciting games on campus this fall.