What “Just Us” Means To Bulldog Soccer
August 29, 2025 | Soccer
MSU associate head coach Jonathan Garbar has emphasized a two-word phrase that has helped the State team connect on a deeper level.
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State soccer associate head coach Jonathan Garbar has begun his first full season in Starkville, and he's brought along with him a motto that's stuck with him ever since he began coaching over a decade ago: "Just Us".
Garbar even has the phrase tattooed on his wrist to show just how important the motto is to him and how much of a positive impact it has made.
But what does this motto mean? It's a much deeper phrase than most people would think.
Garbar described the mantra in many different ways. Not only does it serve as a testament to taking responsibility and accountability, it also speaks to the players who wear the uniform plus the people in their lives who made it possible for these athletes to pursue their dreams.
Having a powerful motto like "Just Us" has really brought people together and built a community, grown relationships and fostered an all-around positive environment.
"When we did our letters of dedication and every player stood up in front of the team and showed a picture of the person or persons they were dedicating their season to, those people became a part of us," said Garbar. "So, our group becomes that much stronger, not just strength in numbers, but more strength in spirit."
It's no secret that becoming a collegiate athlete or coach is a very challenging task. That's why everyone needs something that motivates them to reach their full potential. What better way is there to gain motivation than to connect with the people you're working with?
"It's not simply because they wear the same uniform, but it's because they truly believe in one another because they're experiencing very challenging things together, because they're suffering together," Garbar said. "I think that the 'Just Us' piece is a consistent sense of, 'We have each other, and we are together.' That togetherness is something that is so crucial when you're facing adversity."
As a result of emphasizing the motto to the players, the Bulldogs built a stronger connection as they trained and built chemistry with one another throughout the offseason.
That's why the "Just Us" mantra has played a significant role in the Bulldogs' 2-1-0 start to the season, with wins over Jacksonville State and No. 10 Wake Forest in Starkville.
The word "connection" is also a strong way to describe what the motto entails.
"Our brand of football is about connection," Garbar said. "We play total football the way that we defend and the way that we attack. It is the definition of total football.
"If you're going to play total football and if your football is based on the ability to connect both in the press and in the build, it's all connection. You can't ask players to learn and to execute a very intricate style if they're not thinking and feeling a connection.
"If we're asking our players to press together, to build together, everyone defends, everyone attacks, then we have to also put them in a position where they're able to connect on a deep spiritual level. You do those things, that's when 'Just Us' really takes a life of its own. And that's the most fun piece about it."
When Garbar first came on board in Starkville, one of the first things he told head coach Nick Zimmerman about was "Just Us".
Zimmerman loved the idea of bringing that mentality to Bulldog soccer, and he also believed it would give the players a sense of empowerment.
So far, it's safe to say "Just Us" has made a great impact on everything around Mississippi State soccer, and Garbar has brought a new, strong mentality to the team.
The No. 17 Bulldogs are currently on the road for a two-game road trip. Mississippi State will conclude the journey at Oklahoma State on Sunday at noon CT.
Garbar even has the phrase tattooed on his wrist to show just how important the motto is to him and how much of a positive impact it has made.
But what does this motto mean? It's a much deeper phrase than most people would think.
Garbar described the mantra in many different ways. Not only does it serve as a testament to taking responsibility and accountability, it also speaks to the players who wear the uniform plus the people in their lives who made it possible for these athletes to pursue their dreams.
Having a powerful motto like "Just Us" has really brought people together and built a community, grown relationships and fostered an all-around positive environment.
"When we did our letters of dedication and every player stood up in front of the team and showed a picture of the person or persons they were dedicating their season to, those people became a part of us," said Garbar. "So, our group becomes that much stronger, not just strength in numbers, but more strength in spirit."
It's no secret that becoming a collegiate athlete or coach is a very challenging task. That's why everyone needs something that motivates them to reach their full potential. What better way is there to gain motivation than to connect with the people you're working with?
"It's not simply because they wear the same uniform, but it's because they truly believe in one another because they're experiencing very challenging things together, because they're suffering together," Garbar said. "I think that the 'Just Us' piece is a consistent sense of, 'We have each other, and we are together.' That togetherness is something that is so crucial when you're facing adversity."
As a result of emphasizing the motto to the players, the Bulldogs built a stronger connection as they trained and built chemistry with one another throughout the offseason.
That's why the "Just Us" mantra has played a significant role in the Bulldogs' 2-1-0 start to the season, with wins over Jacksonville State and No. 10 Wake Forest in Starkville.
The word "connection" is also a strong way to describe what the motto entails.
"Our brand of football is about connection," Garbar said. "We play total football the way that we defend and the way that we attack. It is the definition of total football.
"If you're going to play total football and if your football is based on the ability to connect both in the press and in the build, it's all connection. You can't ask players to learn and to execute a very intricate style if they're not thinking and feeling a connection.
"If we're asking our players to press together, to build together, everyone defends, everyone attacks, then we have to also put them in a position where they're able to connect on a deep spiritual level. You do those things, that's when 'Just Us' really takes a life of its own. And that's the most fun piece about it."
When Garbar first came on board in Starkville, one of the first things he told head coach Nick Zimmerman about was "Just Us".
Zimmerman loved the idea of bringing that mentality to Bulldog soccer, and he also believed it would give the players a sense of empowerment.
So far, it's safe to say "Just Us" has made a great impact on everything around Mississippi State soccer, and Garbar has brought a new, strong mentality to the team.
The No. 17 Bulldogs are currently on the road for a two-game road trip. Mississippi State will conclude the journey at Oklahoma State on Sunday at noon CT.
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