Flagg takes over Edmond North
At just 26 years old, Chelsie Flagg is taking over one of the better soccer jobs in the state with Edmond North.
EDMOND — When handed the keys to the Edmond North soccer program, Chelsie Flagg couldn’t believe it.
No really. Flagg didn’t realize she would actually get keys to the all the soccer facilities.
“Sometimes I have to remind myself,” Flagg said. “Wow. This is my program.”
At just 26 years old, Flagg is taking over one of the better soccer jobs in the state with Edmond North.
Flagg was an assistant coach at Oklahoma Christian University for the past few years.
Before that, she was a player for OC from 2010 to 2013, starring as both a midfielder and goalkeeper.
Flagg, who grew up in Colorado, said even though she didn't grow up here in the state, she quickly learned about Edmond North's soccer history after playing with a few girls that had graduated from the school.
So when Flagg was asked to come interview for the school's girls head coaching job, she jumped at the chance.
"I felt humbled just to get an interview," Flagg said. "I had no intentions of going for this job because I knew of the rich tradition that Edmond North had, and I didn't think they would want a first-time coach."
Not only did she get the interview, she aced it. Flagg was hired a week later. In a twist, she was replacing Meagan Anderson, who left Edmond North to take the head coaching job at Oklahoma Christian.
Flagg said she knew the transition would be tough. She thought with the returning talent Edmond North had, a championship might still be possible.
But then reality checked back in.
The Huskies had lost nine starters from its Class 6A semifinal team from the year ago. The two remaining starters, one decided to focus on running track while the other, All-State goalkeeper Jordan Burbank, decided to enroll early at Texas A&M instead of playing her senior season.
"Now I’m trying to replace 11 positions," Flagg said. "Only four girls had any varsity experience and only two of them had ever seen the field during a game."
Undeterred, Flagg said she tried to look for the bright spots. This would now be her program from the ground up.
"I was really panicked for awhile," Flagg said. "I felt a ton of pressure just because of the past and what they've done here. But after getting to know the girls, we decided to turn that pressure into excitement."
Two players Flagg is counting on are seniors Emilie Egan and Kelsey Morris.
Egan said under Flagg, she feels like she's getting an opportunity to shine.
"It’s changed how I’m going to play this year," Egan said. "I didn’t really play much before so she’s giving me the opportunity that I’ve always wanted."
Flagg said she's excited to learn and grow, and she's already seeing major improvements in the early stages of the season from her team.
"It’s been so fun to watch them become a team," Flagg said. "None of them have played together ever, so just seeing them become a team and become a pack of Huskies has been so fun.
"I am seriously in awe of what they do."