Youth Soccer News: Directors of Coaching on being a DOC

We have all heard the term Director of Coaching (DOC), and most of us know what that means – or at least we think we do. According to Christian Lavers at SoccerAmerica, the basic job of a DOC is “to develop and improve coaches so that players maximize their potential at all ages.” Of course, this is easier said than done. To get a better idea of the challenges faced by Directors of Coaching, SoccerNation sat down with several successful DOCs to get their views.

Even though the DOCs all have different backgrounds and experiences, many said the biggest challenge is the parent who believes he or she is an expert in player development. There is a fine line between satisfying the paying client and developing the youth soccer player for the nuturing parent. Even a diplomat from the United Nations could find this challenging.

Billy Garton, DOC at CV Manchester inspired this article, and he explains that some parents have a skewed view of soccer because of the influences of traditional American sports such as football and baseball. Parents tend to see the marquee positions of quarterback, for instance, and equate it a specific position on the soccer field, such as forward. Parents tend to want their child to “star” and do not always see other positions, such as defenders, as acceptable. Billy Garton, a former professional defender, understandably doubts this perspective and often says he doesn't question parents' professional expertise and believes DOCs deserves the same respect.

Echoing his co-DOC Jeff Illinworth, Garton explains, “We’re not experts at many things, but there is one little niche we are good at and that is coaching soccer and developing soccer players.” Parents need to allow the coaches to coach with confidence and not second guess them. After all, that is why parents bring their children to these clubs in the first place – to develop kids into the best players they can be.

Billy Garton: Director of Coaching for Carmel Valley Manchester SC

Billy Garton grew up near Manchester, England, and played as a defender for Manchester United. In 2001 Garton and Jeff Illingworth formed Carmel Valley Manchester Soccer Club, and today the two are co-Directors of Coaching. It was during an earlier interview with Billy that the idea for this set of interviews came about.

On challenges as a DOC:

You just can’t keep everybody happy, and that’s the reality. What I’ve realized being Director of Coaching at our club is that sometimes you make decisions because you think it’s the right decision for the kid, or it’s the right decision for the team, and people perceive it as a personal insult against them and/or their child. Sometimes you get a bad rap because you play a kid in a particular position because you know that is best for the kid, but then the parents yank him and take him somewhere else because they only want their son to play forward or midfield, and you’re seeing the kid as a great sweeper. The player could go pro as a sweeper, and you just know that he or she will never make it as a forward, but still the parents want what they want.

On choosing coaches for the club:

If we’re going to bring a coach into our club, I’m going to watch him coach. I’m not going to read his resume and say, “Hey, you’re great.”

I’m going to watch him coach because resumes are great but coaching youth soccer requires people skills. With younger kids in particular, you’re not really a coach, you’re a teacher. And if you do not have teaching skills, and you do not have a manner about you that can deliver the fundamental messages, then it doesn’t matter how extensive your resume is. You have to have the essential, fundamental, necessary attributes to be a good teacher.

Be Prepared is his motto as DOC:

I think it’s necessary for people to be made aware that you have to follow a particular pathway to ultimately get the best out of your kids. As the Director of Coaching for our club, I have constant reminders going out to our coaches, especially at our coaches meetings, that you can’t just decide to do a shooting drill or a small-sided game when you are on the field at practice. You should prepare. You need to look at your games, look at where your team is deficient or your kids need improvement, and build your practices according the needs of your players ... and the guidelines established for proper player development.

On what he likes best about being a DOC:

The best thing about being a DOC is watching the club develop, watching the teams within the club develop, and watching the reputation of our club be enhanced by the performances of the teams and by the job that we do. Watching our U7 developmental team play, and watching those little kids try to do the things that their coach has been working on with them, gives me as much satisfaction as one of our teams going on and winning State Cup.

Teddy Chronopoulos: Chivas USA Youth Academy Director

Teddy Chronopoulos grew up in Southern California and played college soccer at Cal State San Bernardino and San Diego State University before moving to Greece in 1994 to play for Panionios. He returned to the United States in 1996 and played seven seasons for New England Revolution.

Since retiring from active play in 2005, Chronopoulos has served as head coach for Los Angeles Futbol Club US Development Academy U15/U16 and LAFC Director of Coaching, beginning in 2008. He has also headed the US Development Academies at LAFC, LAFC Chelsea, and Cosmos Academy West. He was recently named Chivas USA’s Youth Academy Director.

On challenges as a DOC:

“In the past, one challenge has been not being able to have a finger on the pulse of every team. Within the Chivas USA Academy we have one team in each age group. This allows me to track each player’s development and be able to identify their strength and weaknesses on a daily basis. It's also very important to track the progress of each coach. Their knowledge of the game and how they teach it is crucial to each player’s development.

On his goals as a DOC:

My goal is to identify and develop young players and to provide them with a comprehensive development plan, ensuring maximum growth and improvement.

On what he likes best about being a DOC:

I really enjoy sitting back and watching our teams play. It allows me to be a fan.

On what inspires him as a DOC:

Developing and preparing players for the future inspires me. Whether it's college or the pro game, I hope to play some part in their development.

Tim Woodcock: Director of Coaching for FC Blades

Tim Woodcock played competitive soccer in England and the USA between 1982 and 2000 and has coached soccer professionally in England and the USA for over 18 years. He started as an Academy coach for Derby County FC in the English Premier League, and also coached regional soccer programs for South Derbyshire and Staffordshire. Tim has been the Technical Director of FC Blades for 10 years and has coached at various high schools in Southern California. He is also an instructor for Cal South.

On challenges as a DOC:

The challenge is finding new coaches who can do a good job on the training ground and on game day, and who can manage the parents’ expectations. At FC Blades we focus on delivering an ‘age appropriate curriculum,’ so it is important that we put the right coaching personality with the right age group/level.

On what he likes best about being a DOC:

What I like best about being a DOC is watching the players in our program having fun learning new skills and developing the correct techniques in order to play the beautiful game. Having the ultimate responsibility of ensuring that our coaches train their players to play the right way and put development ahead of winning is always a challenge. But it is also very rewarding when I see players grow and progress through our system. We have a lot of players who have developed through our program and have been with the club for 8 years or longer. It's really rewarding to see.

Johnson Asiedu: Technical Director for San Diego Football Academy

Johnson Asiedu grew up in his native Ghana, but moved to Europe at an early age to play soccer in the Netherlands and Belgium. His playing experience includes time with Ajax Youth, KVK Deinze, KFC Roeselare, Anderlecht and KFC Kuurne. Johnson holds a USSF National D Coaching License and worked with Fallbrook Fury, Carlsbad Lightning, Feyenoord San Diego, Rancho Santa Fe Attack, and DMCV Sharks before taking over at San Diego Football Academy.

On challenges as a DOC:

The greatest challenge as DOC is often getting people to understand my vision based on my experience and insight in the world of soccer development. In American youth soccer we have boards that are comprised of parents who want to help run the program. However, most of them do not understand that their business sense in other industries does not necessarily translate into helping in day-to-day running of a proper youth soccer development club. So, the biggest challenge is always trying to give direction for where you want the program to go.

As the director, you have the vision and the direction of where you want the program to go, but it takes a great deal of trust and faith on the part of the board to allow the director to see this vision through to fruition. It is like being a painter. You can describe what you want to people, but unless you put the correct elements together and oversee the production of the painting, the people may take the same materials and end up creating something completely different from your initial vision.

On his goals as a DOC:

Our primary goal for San Diego Football Academy is to have our blueprint for player development, which is already working quite well this year. It is being implemented by each coach with every team, so all players benefit from the skill and technical development and the training that are often lacking in youth soccer in America.

Part of this philosophy is echoed in our motto, “Be the best you can be.” This means we believe any player that comes to us can be developed to achieve his or her personal best, if given the necessary training and support. We also aim to develop players who will be able to elevate the game of soccer in America by having the right technical skill, discipline and mindset to compete at the collegiate level and internationally.

On what he likes best about being a DOC:

One of the most rewarding aspects of being the DOC is seeing my vision implemented. I also enjoy helping young and upcoming coaches and players grow and develop in the game of soccer.

On what inspires him as a DOC:

It is inspiring to see that what we set out to do with our method of development, especially this year, is working. Many of our players have developed tremendously since the start of the season, and this is what it is all about for me. I derive a great deal of pleasure and inspiration when players who I have coached and mentored over the years call me for advice for their professional and personal pursuits, or call me up to train them when they are in town. I am honored that many of them regard me as an extension of their family and they respect my opinion and expertise enough to call on me.

Andy Thomas: Director of Coaching for Laguna Niguel SC

Andy Thomas grew up on the Isle of Man and later moved to England where he played with Southampton FC and Leeds Metropolitan University. In 1993 he moved to Orange County and began coaching at the high school level, and in 1997 his Laguna Beach High School boys’ team surprised everyone by winning the Pacific Coast League championship. In addition to coaching, Thomas has written the script for a movie titled “The Beast,” which is set to begin production in 2012 under director David Anspaugh.

On challenges as a DOC:

One of the biggest challenges is competition with other clubs. There are so many clubs in the area and it’s easy for kids to move around. Another challenge is keeping parents happy. Parents want more playing time for their child, or they don’t understand player development, or they are concerned with winning and losing. It takes time to develop players, and parents need to have the patience to let the coaches do their job. Some parents get impatient about their child’s development.

On his goals as a DOC:

It’s not just about wins and losses. We want to provide a vehicle for the kids to develop, not just as soccer players but as people. It’s making sure we’re providing a good environment for them to grow up and go off as better students and citizens. And we want them to be proud of their club.

On what he likes best about being a DOC:

Soccer has been a passion my entire life, and I truly enjoy working with the kids. As a DOC, it’s about making sure the coaches you have put the kids first and are serious about working with them. It’s also about making sure the coaches are on the same page with their teams and working as a team to put the best interest of the kids first. It’s all about hiring good guys and letting them do their job.

On soccer in the United States:

I think the United States has really developed the game a great deal over last 10 years. The level of coaching has really improved and the level of play has increased dramatically. It used to be, driving around you never saw soccer fields. Now soccer is everywhere and the game has really taken off. I don’t think it will be long before the USA will win a World Cup.

I think the next generation of kids who play will be amazing. Most of the dads today have not played, but when the next generation comes through and they’ve all played the game, I think they will be phenomenal.

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