Soccer has been part of my life since childhood. My father, my three brothers, and I all played soccer throughout our lives. My father was inducted into the Wisconsin Soccer Association Hall of Fame in 2017. He was also inducted into the UW-Parkside Hall of Fame in 1995. Two of my brothers also played at UW-Parkside and were members of the 2004 men’s soccer team that was inducted into the UW-Parkside Hall of Fame in 2014. 

During my high school playing career, I was captain of the varsity team for my senior season and was awarded defensive player of the year another season. While my on-field play became entirely recreational after my high school days, I’ve continued to have soccer be part of my life over that period, first as a player and now as a coach in the community.  

I started out coaching at the U6 level and found that I enjoyed teaching the game. I committed to the craft through formal education through USSF, mentorship with other coaches, and countless on-field hours at the park. My father was an excellent role model & mentor for coaching. I observed (and sometimes assisted) him in coaching multiple teams & ages in WYSA over the years. The roles are sometimes reversed now when he attends games that I’m coaching.

At Hartford Soccer Club, I currently focus on the Boys U11 Select team. My day-to-day coaching work includes planning training that fits where players are developmentally, supporting goalkeepers and field players, and creating a safe and positive environment where learning is expected and enjoyed.

I coach the player, not just the sport. That means a training environment that is safe, demanding, and purposeful. Sessions are game-like, with lots of touches and clear constraints, so players learn to solve problems rather than run lines or do repetitive actions. Instruction is brief and targeted, then I let the players play and reflect.

I emphasize the four Cs: competence, confidence, connection, and character. We talk about growth mindset, we celebrate effort and smart risks, and we hold each other to standards of respect and integrity. The goal is for players to leave each training session with one new idea they can apply immediately.

At the U11/U12 level, the priorities are ball mastery, first touch, scanning, support angles, and confidence in 1v1 moments on both sides of the ball. We build these through small-sided games, rondos, positional play activities, and finishing games that reward decision quality, not just speed.

Tactically, we introduce principles that carry into 9v9 and beyond. With the ball, we look for width, depth, and quick support under pressure. Without the ball, we work on pressing cues, recovery runs, and collective defending. Players set individual goals each season, track progress, and receive specific feedback they can act on. Parents stay in the loop through communication around objectives, roles, and match-day expectations.

My favorite coaching moments are the quiet ones. The ones that a novice spectator doesn’t often notice. A first clean tackle. A brave first touch in traffic. A teammate choosing encouragement over complaint. Those small wins add up to confident players and a stronger team. 

Favorite Soccer Memory: Attending the 1994 World Cup Final at the Rose Bowl. 

This is the pinnacle of a truly global sporting event. Everything about the entire experience was truly exceptional. The pageantry, the venue, and the moment were absolutely breathtaking. I hope to attend a match in the summer of 2026 when the World Cup returns to the USA.

Favorite Team & Player: This is extremely difficult as there are so many potential outstanding choices for teams & players. 

Player (& coach) with great impact on the modern game - Johan Cruyff

His ability to make the game look simple, think faster than everyone else, and completely change how teams play the game was extraordinary. His mastery of the playing style of “Total Football,” where players constantly interchange positions and read space, has forever changed the game. He would go on to coach at the highest levels for many years after his playing career ended, further cementing the impact of his style on the game.

Team - Liverpool FC

Liverpool is a favorite team for multiple objective reasons: the club owns a record six European Cups, a record ten League Cups, and a record-equalling 20 English league titles, including just last season. The team’s appeal spans eras, from icons Kenny Dalglish and Steven Gerrard to modern stars Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Alisson Becker. One non-objective (and possibly best) reason is the culture the club creates. This is encapsulated with the club’s iconic anthem “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” which is sung at every match, appears on the crests of jerseys, and is inscribed on Shankly Gates at Anfield.

Interests Outside Soccer: When not coaching or watching soccer, I can often be found on the water or in the woods with my wife & two children. I enjoy waterskiing, fishing, hunting, and other outdoor activities.