Centre College has players from 13 states and one foreign country on this year's team. (Centre College Soccer Photo)
Jeb Burch has been part of the Centre College soccer program as a player (1990-1993), assistant coach (1994-2001) and head coach (2002-2025).
He is the second winningest coach in the Southern Athletic Association and is looking forward to another successful season with the team he has assembled for this season. After three scrimmages, Centre officially opens the season Aug. 29 against Hanover in Louisville and then plays Illinois Wesleyan in Louisville on Aug. 30. The first home match is Sept. 5 against Nebraska Wesleyan.
The Colonels have 11 new players — six high school seniors and five transfers, the most Burch has ever had. He also has players from 13 states along with one from the Dominican Republic.
Burch says the transfer portal is becoming a major factor in Division III recruiting.
“I think players now sometimes in the recruiting process go after things and do not realize until they get there (school) that might not really be what they wanted,” said the Centre coach. “A lot of high school seniors chase the Division I title or something that is not a good fit for them and it turns out to be a bad decision.”
Some Division I schools have limited rosters because of financial obligations to players but Burch does not think that is driving the increased activity in the transfer portal.
“A lot of young people just really do not know what they want and get into situations that really were not for them, so they go into the transfer portal. We are prepared when the portal opens and that shapes our recruiting. We try to address our needs in the December (transfer) portal and then fill in with high school seniors who can play for us. It’s a big change in how you recruit,” he said.
“You are looking for transfers that can play. Having a large roster today is not in the best interest of the team. We have gone to a smaller roster and have more kids playing on day one because that is what kids want. If everyone is involved on day one, you have a happier locker room. Transfers have experience and are more grounded. They know what they want and don’t want.”
Burch enjoys having a blend of returning players, transfers and incoming freshmen as well as players from many different places.
“I want as much diversity geographically and everything else as we can have. That is the beauty of soccer being a world sport. It makes the team better to have all walks of life in that locker room. The more of that you have, the better it is for the team because players learn to respect everybody and different cultures,” Burch said.
Centre returns two All-Region players in seniors Finnegan Deem-Ranzetta of Oregon and AJ Daniels of Georgia who helped the Colonels go 11-4-3 in 2024. They are team captains along with senior Zeke Saviello of Georgia.
“The hope is these three can lead the way back to another conference championship,” Burch said. “We need Finn and AJ to have All-American type seasons and they are capable of that. They are both four-year players, both had successful summer seasons, and both are mature and fit. They are willing to take on that responsibility.”
Winning a conference championship will be more difficult this season with Trinity University and Southwestern University now full-time conference members. Trinity coach Paul McGinlay has 459 wins in his 26 years as a head coach and is one of the top five winningest coaches in college soccer.
“I was going to play for Paul back in 1989 but he left in the spring of my senior year to coach at Trinity. My freshman year we beat Trinity in the conference finals 3-2 in overtime. I’ve had a lot of battles against them as a player, assistant and head coach,” Burch said. “We beat Trinity the last time we played (in 2011) and I know they are ready to have another go at us. I appreciate Paul. He has always been supportive and willing to help me over my coaching career.
“I know Trinity is a good team and I have a lot of respect for their program. Our players do not know about the history Paul and I have and I don’t even know if they will care. Trinity had a winning record against everybody in the conference when it got out but we had the best record against them.”
Burch annually plays a difficult non-conference schedule and will again this year. The Colonels will fly to Texas twice — to play Trinity and for the conference tournament at Southwestern.
“We are going to travel over 6,500 miles. The kids love the glamour of flying. Personally budgeting and planing those trips is a nightmare,” Burch said. “The players just have to go play soccer. It can be a nationally ranked opponent and they won’t worry.
