This is part of a series focusing on character coaches, coaches and athletes at the collegiate level. These interviews come from Florida State University.
Danielle Ferretti has been the character coach for Florida State University’s women’s soccer team since September 2024. Her role is to walk alongside the players in their faith and support them beyond the playing field. After graduating from Florida State University in 2021, Danielle spent four years working on campus with the Navigators ministry. Recently, she started working in FSU’s Office of Admissions and is pursuing a master’s degree. Through prayer, presence and discipleship, Danielle is helping the FSU women’s soccer team discover that their identity isn’t rooted in the scoreboard, but in Christ.
How did you become a character coach with FSU women’s soccer team?
I’ve always been a soccer fan, and my connection to FSU’s team started in a unique way. About five years ago, I began praying over their roster, even before I knew many of the players. While in college, I met weekly with someone I was discipling at a local coffee shop. Each week, we sat near an FSU soccer player meeting with her mentor. Their tables were so close that we overheard bits of her story and could tell she was going through a tough time. Quietly, we started praying for her before she arrived. Over time, we saw her story change—she started attending church and growing in her faith. It was incredible to witness how God answered those prayers. That experience inspired us to pray for the entire team roster weekly. Then, last year, a senior on the team, Taylor, reached out to FCA Director Ryan Sprague for help leading a team Bible study. When Ryan sent out the “bat signal,” the opportunity landed in my lap. It felt like God was inviting me into something I had been praying for all along
What has your first year as a character coach been like?
In my first year, I got to walk alongside Taylor and help her start the team Bible study. As a senior, she had influence with the girls, so we talked a lot about building a culture of faith that would outlast her, focusing on how we could make sure generations of FSU soccer players come to know the Lord. It was a great year. After she graduated, younger players like Addie and Ashley stepped up to lead. They had never led a Bible study, but their willingness and faithfulness to step into something risky was all we needed. In my role as a Character Coach, I’ve been mentoring them on how to practically lead Bible studies and disciple their teammates. Ministry success is hard to measure, but I see it as being faithful, showing up and building “relational currency.” When we’re faithful, we build relationships and trust, and one day it will lead to deeper faith and conversations with the girls.
What does Bible study look like for the team?
We meet weekly at “the soccer house,” where a group of players live. I bring snacks, which has become an easy way to draw players in. We usually start in the kitchen around the food, talking about life and school, before moving into another room for the Bible study. Not everyone joins the Bible study, but we’ve created a welcoming space where they show up, which is a win. Seeds are being planted, and we’re letting God move through it. Addie and Ashley lead the study, and I am there to pray with and for the girls. I enjoy watching God work through them.
Have there been any challenges?
One personal challenge has been learning the culture of elite athletics. I am comfortable leading Bible studies and doing ministry with college students, but this was my first year working – some of the nation’s best soccer players. Their lives revolve around their sport, and their schedules are packed. Understanding their mindset, pressures and drive has been a learning curve. I’ve never strived for something the way that they do, so learning about them and their goals has been important. I’ve been reflecting on how the Gospel is good news for everyone, including the FSU women’s soccer team, and the answer we keep coming to is freedom and joy. We talk a lot about what it means to have joy in all circumstances. Before a relationship with Christ, if you messed up, you felt like there was no hope and that’s exhausting. But in Christ, there’s this freedom to not have your worth tied to your performance. Their identity is secure. That’s incredibly freeing for athletes who feel the weight of constant expectations.
What has been most rewarding for you?
The way the team welcomed me in so quickly. Ryan told me not to expect to be in the locker room right away, but within a month, I was there. That trust felt like a gift. I really enjoy being the outside perspective person for the girls, being someone who knows them outside of soccer. There is a lot of chaos going on in the world and they are surrounded by so much pressure. I love that they can just lay their burdens down and find rest for their souls each week at our Bible study.
How do you hope your presence impacts the team long-term?
My hope is that our Bible study becomes part of the team’s culture, outlasting any one leader, including me. I want generations of FSU women’s soccer players to know Christ and find their identity in Him. God already knows what’s on their hearts, so I pray that I can help them be vulnerable enough to offer it up to Him. I hope the players know I am always here for them. One unexpected blessing has been continuing to disciple Taylor after she signed a professional contract. Though we only knew each other briefly before she left FSU, she still reaches out regularly. To me, that shows the power of just showing up and being faithful.
What would you say to someone considering becoming a character coach?
It’s so worth it, and you don’t need all the answers or have tons of time. Players just need someone who cares about them beyond what they do on the field. There’s power and impact in any amount of time that’s spent praying for an athlete or reading the Scriptures with them. Every prayer, Scripture shared and every moment spent with them matters. Romans 1:16 reminds us that every time the Gospel is shared, God’s power is being shared. We get to be faithful and watch Him work, and we’re blessed by being part of it.
Any final comments you’d like to share?
Someone once challenged me with the question, Am I working for the Father or am I working with the Father? He doesn't need me, but He invites me into what He's doing. I've been leaning into my relationship with Him and finding rest and beauty in Him. Being a character coach is helping me do that.
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Photos courtesy of Danielle Ferretti