United adds Lobo coach as adviser
Dyche has another soccer hat to wear
New Mexico United added another familiar name to its organizational roster Wednesday, naming Heather Dyche as technical staff special adviser.
Dyche is in her seventh season as University of New Mexico women’s soccer coach and she and United officials made a point Wednesday to stress her new job description will not have an impact on her duties with the Lobos.
“If something makes me better, it makes my team better,” Dyche said during a Zoom media conference. “I always tell my players, ‘Don’t settle. Find ways to get better.’ Hopefully, this position allows me to do that.” Dyche, an Eldorado High alum, has elevated UNM’s soccer profile during her tenure, posting a 66-41-11 record and leading the Lobos on an NCAA Tournament run last spring.
She has developed a relationship with United coach and technical director Troy Lesesne over the club’s three seasons and conceded that joining NMU’s staff was something that had “been coming for a while.”
Her role with United will include working with first-team and academy technical staff on implementing style of play and team culture. Dyche will be involved in expanding the impact of NMU’s academy program and said she hopes to play a role in expanding soccer academy opportunities for girls in New Mexico. Joining United’s staff adds an item on Dyche’s already crowded plate. She also serves as president of United Soccer Coaches, but said she’s not concerned about wearing too many soccer caps.
“I love soccer. I’m officially a junkie,” she said. “When you’re passionate about something, it doesn’t feel like a job.”
Dyche is the second woman to join a USL Championship technical staff, and Lesesne said he often sought her perspective even before Wednesday’s hiring.
“The reason for this hire isn’t to make a splash,” Lesesne said. “The reason is we’re getting an extremely talented coach — someone that is one of the best coaches in New Mexico, and one of the best coaches in our country.”