Size doesn’t matter, especially when it comes to Jason Mims.

While on the soccer field Mims was the smallest player, (optimistically listed at 5-7) but he played much bigger than he was.

One thing that could be counted on was Mims giving everything he could to the team.

Whether the team needed a goal or an assist, Mims did all he could to make it happen.

A year after he left, Mims is back and still doing all he can to help the team.

After he exhausted his eligibility with the Billikens, Mims went to play professionally in Ohio.

“I was the second leading scorer when I left,” said Mims.

Over the summer while playing professionally, he and men’s soccer coach Bob Warming began talking about bringing Mims back to Saint Louis.

After a few phone calls, Mims was on his way back to SLU.

“I came back to finish up my degree,” Mims said. “I’m here to help out the team.”

“Jay is finishing up his school,” said Warming. “I’m glad to have him back.”

Mims will be looked toward to take on some coaching duties and help along the young Billikens.

“I’ll give them some insight, help, whatever they need,” Mims said.

He’s also getting first-hand experience at what he hopes to eventually do, coach. “I run practices with the guys who don’t dress on game day,” Mims said.

“My job is to get them motivated so they’ll play at the level where they will be playing in the games.”

Mims is thankful for the opportunity to be able to finish up his education and be able to work under Warming and assistant coach Dan Donigan.

“Coach Warming and Donigan are two of the best in the country,” Mims said. “It’s great experience to work with such well respected coaches.”

Warming has made a name for himself by building the Creighton soccer program. While there, Warming won Missouri Valley Coach of the Year twice and captured three straight MVC Championships.

Before arriving here at SLU, Donigan was the top assistant at his alma mater, the University of Connecticut.

He was taught by legendary UConn coach Joe Morrone. Donigan also had an impressive playing career at both the collegiate and professional levels. He was named Big East Player of the Decade.

Mims has chosen two of the best in the business as his teachers. “It’s good experience,” Mims said.

“He wants to get into coaching,” Warming said. “I think he’ll make a very good coach one day.”

This year will prove to be a good test for Mims as the Billikens look to progress deeper into the NCAA tournament this season. Mims thinks this team has what it takes to be a real contender.

“This team has so much speed,” Mims said. “The guys have gotten so much stronger and faster. They’re one of the most explosive teams I’ve been around.

“They’ve been working with Chris West on their strength and conditioning,” Mims said.

Mims is hopeful to be able to assist the team in the spring. “I’m hoping to get another semester with the guys.”

While Mims is just starting out, he knows he wants to continue down the path to being a head coach.

“As long as I’m involved in soccer at any level, pro, college, high school, it doesn’t matter.

“What I want to do is coach,” Mims said.