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Isaac Sam Named Head Coach of Whatcom Women’s Soccer Program
Posted: Jan 29, 2024

Isaac Sam Named Head Coach of Whatcom Women’s Soccer Program

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - The Orcas women's soccer program is thrilled to announce the appointment of Isaac Sam as its new leader for the upcoming 2024 season.

The announcement was made this week by athletic director Rob Pedicone who expressed confidence in Sam's ability to elevate the program to new heights, "Isaac is a great person to take over this program. We look forward to having him in Bellingham being connected to the school and the community, and to really take the program to new levels."

Sam brings a wealth of experience, having served as an assistant coach and graduate assistant for University of South Dakota (USD), a NCAA Division I women's soccer program. Prior to coaching at USD, Sam served as head coach for U17 and U19 men's team for Yankton Soccer Club where he led the U17 team to a second-place finish at the Norfolk Soccer Tournament in 2022.

Before embarking on his coaching journey, Sam played collegiate soccer at Mount Marty University. He played three seasons for the Lancers and was selected to the Daktronics NAIA Scholar All-American team in 2020. Prior to transferring to Mount Marty, Sam played one season at Western Nebraska Community College. He was a NJCAA All-American third team selection in his lone season at Western Nebraska. Beyond the collegiate arena, Sam extended his competitive reach by joining the Sioux Falls Thunder FC, a semi-professional team competing in the National Premier Soccer League. 

Sam holds a Master's in Kinesiology and Sport Management from the University of South Dakota, and a Master's in Football Coaching and Sports Direction from UE-Real Madrid Graduate School. 

Expressing values and vision for the new role, Sam emphasized the importance of building strong relations within the Orcas community. "I value the importance of building good relations, I plan to continue to get to connect more with my players, coaching staff, and the community. I am excited to connect with other sports coaches, members of the athletic department, and faculty members. The next two quarters are very important to our goal of continuous improvement and pushing the limits of student athletes. The women's soccer program will be invested in increasing roster numbers, strengthening student leadership, and preparing for the championship in the fall."

Sam extended his appreciation to the AD and the hiring committee for the opportunity, stating, "It is also wonderful that Rob Pedicone and the committee have been instrumental in providing information, support, and facilitating connections within the athletics department."

As the program gears up for the upcoming season, the team is actively seeking to fill assistant coaching positions for the fall, adding further anticipation to what promises to be a transformative period for the Orcas women's soccer program.