I began playing soccer through my school at age 6 and continued playing with competitive teams through high school. Once in college, I joined rec leagues and pickup games as much as possible to stay active with the game. In 2009, my wife and I were certified as USSF grassroot referees to stay involved with the game. 

While my wife taught at high schools in MPS, she coached the JV girls' soccer teams and ‘employed’ me as a goalkeeping coach (as that was my position in high school). This introduction to the coaching realm is where I found my passion for coaching the sport. 

When our first child began playing soccer as a 5-year-old, I found myself sitting and watching the U6 games and thinking, ‘I have something to offer here to help these players develop.’ So, the next season, I volunteered to be the head coach for the team. I can draw a direct connection between the players I coach today and that first team I coached. 

Since that first year of coaching, I have sought opportunities to improve my coaching methods through training and certifications. 

I currently coach the High School Girls and 14U Girls Select teams.

My coaching philosophy is player-centered and focuses on the development of the athlete and person. This is done via the activities used and the environment created during training to challenge the players to reach their potential while enjoying the sport.

Young players develop many different skills, including physical, technical, mental, and tactical. In my experience, the most important skill young players can develop is resilience. Players with a growth mindset have the most opportunities to develop to their full potential and achieve their goals

In creating my training sessions, I take a player-centered approach. The sessions will focus on developing player competence, player confidence, player connections, and player character. Focusing on these outcomes will develop the players’ technical and tactical skills and confidence in themselves to develop resilience and mental toughness, build connections between teammates, coaches, and parents, and build the moral character of the player so they are good role models within the Club and in the community.

Player development is guided by defining the qualities and outcomes of players at those age levels. Younger players need to become comfortable with the ball at their feet. This can be achieved by playing many fun games and challenging the players to keep the ball as close to their feet as possible. Games like freeze tag, Pac-Man, and Minions allow the players to get many touches on the ball while running around in a competitive environment. 

As players progress through the program, more layers and qualities are added to the foundation, which develops their technical skills and tactical knowledge.

Engaging players (and their parents) is very important. My primary method of keeping players engaged is by having them create seasonal goals. This allows the players to track their progress during the season and helps keep them focused during training as they can understand the connection between their goals and our training sessions. 

Our team philosophy of character development and team bonding handles team conflicts. Players and coaches are expected to openly discuss issues that arise, either during training sessions, games, or outside of our team environment. We regularly discuss that events and actions that occur outside of our team but that involve teammates impact our team. This is part of the player’s character development and the importance of characteristics like empathy, respect, and integrity. 

Favorite Soccer Memory: I won a Regional Championship as a player in my senior year of high school; the last year that the state of Illinois had a single division level in the soccer tournament. 

My favorite moments as a soccer coach involve seeing the players' development. When they work hard and struggle through difficult situations to achieve the goals they have set for themselves, the look on the players’ faces and body language are simply amazing and keep me fueled as a coach

Favorite Team & Player: My favorite club team is Fulham FC (AKA FulAmerica). This club has a history of American players; Brian McBride, Clint Dempsey, Carlos Bocanegra, Kasey Keller, Eddie Lewis, Eddie Johnson, Tim Ream, Antonee ‘Jedi’ Robinson, and more! Bonus given the beautiful setting on the River Thames of Craven Cottage! 

Interests Outside Soccer: When not coaching soccer, I can be found at any number of events supporting my two children. They participate in soccer, theater (Rising Stars at Schauer Center), co-curricular activities at their schools, and more. In our free time, we enjoy camping at different campgrounds throughout the state of Wisconsin.