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Lorraine Quinn: From Blue Devil Athlete to Division I Coach
1/24/2021 7:41:00 AM | Women's Soccer
By Morgan Pruchniewski, Duke Communications Student Assistant
DURHAM, N.C.-- Lorraine Quinn had an illustrious athletic career as a member of the Duke women's soccer team. Quinn played as a midfielder from 2004-08 for the Blue Devils, ranking first in matches played - with 91 contests during her college career - and second in games started. She was also a three-time all-ACC selection, in addition to scoring game-winning goals versus Radford and Virginia in the 2007 NCAA College Cup.
After graduating from Duke with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology, Quinn took her talents to the United States Under-23 National Team, which won the 2008 Nordic Cup against Germany. However, she found an even greater passion for the game in a new aspect of it: coaching.
"I got several professional contracts in Europe, but the reason that I got into coaching honestly was because of the opportunities that I was given at Duke University," Quinn remarked. "I'm not sure where I'd be if Robbie Church didn't recruit me at Duke University. I'm so grateful for Robbie and Billy Lesesne for teaching me so much discipline, the process, and what it takes to develop the proper mindset."
Returning to her alma mater, Quinn started coaching by serving as the assistant coach for the Farmingdale High School varsity boys' soccer team. She then went international, taking a position on the coaching staff for Durham University in the United Kingdom and helping them win the 2012 Futsal National Championship.
She moved on to coaching for William and Mary in 2012 where she led the team to win the Colonial Athletic Association regular season title, before heading to the coaching staff of West Point.
Working as an assistant coach, Quinn helped lead West Point to qualify for the Patriot League Tournament as the fourth seed in both 2013 and 2014. She was then promoted to associate head coach for the next three seasons, during which time she mentored 12 All-Patriot League honorees.
After a successful career at West Point, Quinn made the move to serve as an assistant coach at Texas State University. This fall season was her third season coaching the Bobcats. Quinn focuses on the technical development, as well the individual conditioning of players.
"There are so many things that I apply to my team now that I learned from my time as a Blue Devil," Quinn explained. "There's quotes from my playing days at Duke that I bring to my teams, and I focus on working on sports psychology with my teams from what I learned from Greg Dale (Director of Sports Psychology & Leadership Program) to motivate my team. I also am really inspired by Coach Jeff Howser's conditioning."
Other than the impact of the coaching staff, Quinn also gained a lot from her teammates at Duke and continues to stay connected with her Blue Devil family.
"I've stayed close with all of the girls who I played with during my time at Duke, especially the ones who have gone into coaching," Quinn exclaimed. "Being able to keep relationships with Becca Moros and Alli Lipsher have been great connections and it's been awesome to be able to talk about soccer with them."
Even when Quinn suffered an achilles injury a few years ago, the first people that she turned to was her Duke family.
"Kendall Bradley was the first one I called in tears asking what to do," Quinn remembered. "I actually came to Duke University and had my surgery there."
Being a Blue Devil shaped Lorraine Quinn into the coach that she is today. Quinn is looking forward to the upcoming season and continuing to mentor and grow her team at Texas State University.
#GoDuke
DURHAM, N.C.-- Lorraine Quinn had an illustrious athletic career as a member of the Duke women's soccer team. Quinn played as a midfielder from 2004-08 for the Blue Devils, ranking first in matches played - with 91 contests during her college career - and second in games started. She was also a three-time all-ACC selection, in addition to scoring game-winning goals versus Radford and Virginia in the 2007 NCAA College Cup.
After graduating from Duke with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology, Quinn took her talents to the United States Under-23 National Team, which won the 2008 Nordic Cup against Germany. However, she found an even greater passion for the game in a new aspect of it: coaching.
"I got several professional contracts in Europe, but the reason that I got into coaching honestly was because of the opportunities that I was given at Duke University," Quinn remarked. "I'm not sure where I'd be if Robbie Church didn't recruit me at Duke University. I'm so grateful for Robbie and Billy Lesesne for teaching me so much discipline, the process, and what it takes to develop the proper mindset."
Returning to her alma mater, Quinn started coaching by serving as the assistant coach for the Farmingdale High School varsity boys' soccer team. She then went international, taking a position on the coaching staff for Durham University in the United Kingdom and helping them win the 2012 Futsal National Championship.
She moved on to coaching for William and Mary in 2012 where she led the team to win the Colonial Athletic Association regular season title, before heading to the coaching staff of West Point.
Working as an assistant coach, Quinn helped lead West Point to qualify for the Patriot League Tournament as the fourth seed in both 2013 and 2014. She was then promoted to associate head coach for the next three seasons, during which time she mentored 12 All-Patriot League honorees.
After a successful career at West Point, Quinn made the move to serve as an assistant coach at Texas State University. This fall season was her third season coaching the Bobcats. Quinn focuses on the technical development, as well the individual conditioning of players.
"There are so many things that I apply to my team now that I learned from my time as a Blue Devil," Quinn explained. "There's quotes from my playing days at Duke that I bring to my teams, and I focus on working on sports psychology with my teams from what I learned from Greg Dale (Director of Sports Psychology & Leadership Program) to motivate my team. I also am really inspired by Coach Jeff Howser's conditioning."
Other than the impact of the coaching staff, Quinn also gained a lot from her teammates at Duke and continues to stay connected with her Blue Devil family.
"I've stayed close with all of the girls who I played with during my time at Duke, especially the ones who have gone into coaching," Quinn exclaimed. "Being able to keep relationships with Becca Moros and Alli Lipsher have been great connections and it's been awesome to be able to talk about soccer with them."
Even when Quinn suffered an achilles injury a few years ago, the first people that she turned to was her Duke family.
"Kendall Bradley was the first one I called in tears asking what to do," Quinn remembered. "I actually came to Duke University and had my surgery there."
Being a Blue Devil shaped Lorraine Quinn into the coach that she is today. Quinn is looking forward to the upcoming season and continuing to mentor and grow her team at Texas State University.
#GoDuke
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