Cody Bartlow had a pretty good idea of what he was getting into when he accepted an offer in March to become men's soccer coach at Kansas Wesleyan.
Having spent two seasons as men's and women's coach at Central Christian College in McPherson, Bartlow knew about KWU after playing the Coyotes in non-conference play.
"The familiarity with the school played a role," he said. "Having connections with Bruce (Palmbaum) and with Ryan (Palmbaum) previously helped for sure. The winning culture, the facilities, an absolutely a beautiful campus and then just the people. I think it's always about the people because every school is going to have its pluses and minuses. It's the people that make you love the job or hate the job."
The Coyotes defeated Bartlow's former men's team 2-1 last fall, but he will be watching the proceedings on the pitch from the home sideline in 2026.
"I remember we'd come in, and I knew we'd be overmatched talent wise, so our systems had to be spot on; our processes had to be spot on," he said. "Sometimes they weren't, which is why we lost a game. They were always a tough team, very physical team, direct in your face, so it was a little bit of an edge to them. It was fun to play those games."
Bartlow plans to implement his system this season.
"Control of the ball dominating the game with the ball, fast and aggressive out of possession, really playing together," he said. "You're going to see a lot of close connections, not one individual taking over the team. It's a collection of guys. We really believe that the way we play the game is of teaching them how to live life after soccer ends and so we put a ton of emphasis on relationships, on being trustworthy, accountable, doing your job."
Bartlow is counting on team captains Alejandro Diaz, a center back, and left back Emilio Rodriguez to lead the way along with midfielder Juan Lozada who had a strong summer playing for Central Kansas United, a Salina-based team in the United Premier Soccer League.
"He has had a fantastic summer playing with CKL; it's been tremendous for him," Bartlow said.
Other returning veterans are defenders Cristobal Schenfeld and Morgan Spilker and goalkeeper Andrew Cole.
"Our defensive side is pretty heavy returners," Bartlow said. "The attacking side is going to be some of the newcomers though."
Bartlow has high hopes for midfielder Jose Valdez who joined the program in the spring.
"He's a tremendous player, great fit for our culture, great fit for the school but just a really hard player to play against. I think he's going to be great," he said.
Transfer midfielders Inigo Munoz Sainz (Missouri Valley) and Max Hunt (Cumberland) are expected to contribute immediately.
Bartlow signed a stellar freshman class that includes midfielders Connor Moore and Damian Roman, forward David Alvarado Bonilla, defenders Ivan Padilla and Diego Ketterhagen and forward/midfielder Tylor Puentes.
"There's always a chance and an opportunity (for freshmen) in my programs," Bartlow said. "If I don't have a freshman knocking on the door I didn't recruit very well, I didn't do my job very well."
Bartlow's Central Christian teams played against several KCAC opponents in the non-conference.
"I came from a very tough (Sooner Athletic) conference, and we had to travel three hours for my closest conference road game," he said. "We would try to play the KCAC because we were spending a lot of money going on conference trips, so we had to save some money somewhere."
KWU's 2026 schedule is home heavy at the start - six of the first seven are at JRI Stadium in the Graves Family Sports Complex.
"I wish there were few more road games, but some of that was already scheduled with the previous staff," Bartlow said. "It's (Great Plains Athletic Conference) heavy, we're playing Hastings, Doane, Briar Cliff and Oklahoma Panhandle from the Sooner Conference."
Bartlow believes Oklahoma Wesleyan is once again the team to beat in the KCAC but says there's strength throughout.
"OKWU is always the big one to slay," he said. "I think Ottawa is going to be really good again. I think York is really good program, they're hard to play against. I actually work club (soccer) with Bryan Perez, the Friends coach, and I know he's excited about the group he has coming in."
KWU plays Briar Cliff in the season opener August 22 at JRI Stadium.