BRAINERD — A familiar face takes over the sideline for the Brainerd Warriors. Nick Weeks is the new boys’ soccer head coach, taking over for Tom Grausam, who retired after last season. The 31-year-old Weeks has been no stranger to the Warrior soccer program, spending the past seven years as an assistant coach in some capacity under Grausam.
“When I first started I was a goalie coach once a week for Tom,” Weeks said. “I was brought on full time after that and last year was my first year as the lead JV coach.” Weeks learned from Grausam and hopes to implement it.
Grausam spent eight seasons with the Warriors and compiled a 67-52-9 record. He led the Warriors to a school record 13 wins in 2018 and the Section 8-4A Final in 2019. ADVERTISEMENT “What I learned from Tom is just grit,” Weeks said.
“Tom was a really good motivator. Tom brought an identity of grit and I think that’s what Brainerd soccer is. Not every play is going to be a beautiful soccer play and you have to do what you have to do to get the ball in the net.
The other thing that Tom had was heart. He was passionate and kind. Tom taught me how to have that passion.
” Weeks envisioned himself as a head coach for a while. “Coaching in high school has been a passion of mine for years and years,” Weeks said. “The process always takes longer than you want it to take.
For me, I want to be able to lead these boys into men and to help grow this program. I think it is a huge honor for me and I give T.
