Youth Soccer News: Directors of Coaching on being a DOC

Part II

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. To get a better idea of the challenges faced by Directors of Coaching, SoccerNation is sitting down with successful DOCs to get their views. This is the second in the series on DOCs inspired by former pro Manchester United player now DOC, Billy Garton. Click to READ the Part I

What is it like being a Director of Coaching? San Diego Surf Soccer Club, DMCV Sharks Soccer, Hotspurs USA, and Pumas Premier FC Academy DOCs Speak Out.

Four amazing coaches: one has played in the English Premier League, another the World Cup, one was trained by former legendary AC Milan coach Arrigo Sacchi, and another was the youngest coach in Cal South, getting his E License at age 15. Find out out what Colin Chesters, Shannon MacMillan, Paolo Landini, and Hector Diaz Jr. say about being a DOC.

Colin Chesters: Director of Coaching for San Diego Surf

Colin Chesters is a former professional soccer player who currently heads San Diego Surf Soccer Club.  Chesters played for four years for Derby County FC in the English Premier League, three years with Crewe Alexandra in the English 3rd Division and three years for Northwich Victoria in the Conference League.  Chesters was the leading scorer in the Conference League for two seasons, won the FA Trophy and played twice at Wembley.  Chesters has been with Surf for over 15 years, taking teams to literally dozens of championships, and was named Cal South Coach of the Year in 2007.

On challenges as a DOC:

We are always striving to be better and provide our players with more opportunities that will help them reach their fullest potential over the years. The challenges are staying ahead of our rivals. It’s not sitting back and saying we are the 2nd highest rated Club in the Country and settling for that. 

On his goals as DOC:

My goals for our club are to continue to be one of the leaders in youth soccer and to challenge for National Championships. I want to have our kids play at the next level and provide them with both development and exposure opportunities.

On what he likes best about being a DOC:

What I like best is using my coaching abilities to help mentor other younger coaches. I often see younger coaches making the same mistakes I made ten or twenty years ago. These are with the really tough issues - like handling difficult team dynamics, staying calm while everyone else around you is losing the plot, or identifying and solving problems on the field. I share this advice with them: It is the journey that people remember more than the arrival at the destination. I want them to keep this in mind at all times.

I honestly don't come across too many situations that I haven't seen before. Because of all my experience, I can pass on my perspective to younger coaches and support them in the process.

On what inspires him:

What inspires me is having our former players going off to college, getting to college Final Fours, and playing in World Cups and MLS Championships.

I’m also inspired by Surf winning Club National Championships. It keeps getting harder to produce these types of teams and players, but somehow we keep doing it.

I also look for the next level of coaching opportunities, such as going back to England and getting access to Youth Academy curriculums, and watching the best players and coaches in the world knock heads. This always inspires me to keep improving and learning.

As I say to my coaches, when you stop learning you stop teaching.

Shannon MacMillan: Director of Competitive Program for DMCV Sharks Soccer Club

Shannon MacMillan is perhaps best remembered for having spent 12 years with the U.S. Women’s National Team. During her time with the team, the WNT won gold and silver medals in Olympic competition and the 1999 Women’s World Cup. MacMillan was a four-time All-American and winner of the Hermann Award while at University of Portland and was named US Soccer Female Athlete of the Year in 2002. She coached for two years at UCLA before joining DMCV Sharks, and has been an international goodwill envoy to both South Africa (2006) and Guatemala (2011).

On challenges as a DOC:

The biggest challenge as a DOC is making sure the players are the focus and the main priority.  It cannot be about the parents’ egos or what other clubs are promising.  Soccer has become a bit out of control with all of the recruiting that happens at early ages.  

The focus needs to be on developing the boys and girls from an early age, not just looking to replace them every year.  Also, as a DOC, you have to make a lot of tough decisions.  These decision may not always be looked upon favorably, but I am always making them in the best interest of the kids. Again, the kids have to be first and foremost.

On her goals as DOC:

My goals are, first, to help all of the Sharks continue to learn and grow as complete soccer players. But more importantly, to help them extract the life lessons that can be learned from this great game.  These skills will help shape who each one grows into as a person.  It is so incredibly important to help all of our players learn to find a dream, believe in it, and enjoy the journey.

On what she likes best about being a DOC:

I have been blessed with a great soccer career as a player, and being a DOC allows me to give back to so many players and share my passion for the game.

On what inspires her:

My team and all of the boys and girls I am fortunate to work with are what inspire me.  Creating an environment I would be excited and proud to have my son be a part of also inspires me.

Paolo Landini: Director of Soccer Operations for Hotspurs USA

Paolo Landini grew up in Italy and played with the youth system of AC Fiorentina and later with VC Viesseux until 1994. He has coached, primarily with clubs in San Diego’s East County, since 1997 and took over as Director of Coaching of Hotspurs USA in 2008. He has also coached high school soccer and is varsity girls’ soccer coach at El Capitan High School. Landini has studied under top international coaches, including former AC Milan coach Arrigo Sacchi, current Internazionale coach Claudio Ranieri and former England, Mexico and Côte d'Ivoire head coach Sven-Göran Eriksson.

On challenges as a DOC:

I must say that the hardest challenges for me are the everyday small practical challenges that all, or most, DOCs have to deal with. These are things like quality fields, well-lit space for practices and many other items related to that pesky present that sometimes gets in the way of the future.

On his goals as DOC:

My main goal is to bring the club to the highest possible levels while keeping the cost of playing club soccer reasonable and friendly. This means developing, not using, one player, one coach or one team at a time to their fullest potential.

On what he likes best about being a DOC:

The most intriguing and gratifying aspect of being a DOC is to be able to make a 3 or a 5 year plan and see that implemented day-by-day. In other words, carrying out your vision for the club.

The most pleasant, or maybe I should say fun, aspect is definitely being able to sit on the bench during games, evaluating coaches and players, and also developing personal relationships with players, coaches and parents. We truly are a great family at Hotspurs USA.

On what inspires him:

In one word: Effort. I am definitely a sucker for effort. Effort produces development. I dislike lazy talent. One of my favorite coaching quotes is “Hard work will beat talent, when talent doesn’t work hard.”

Hector Diaz Jr.: Pumas Premier FC Academy Director

Hector Diaz, Jr., is the Academy director for the Chula Vista Pumas Premier Futbol Club. Diaz earned his E License at age 15, at the time the youngest licensed coach in Cal South, his D License at 18 and C License at 21. As a coach, Diaz has taken teams to the U9 and U10 Cal South State Championships and U15 Cal South National Cup Championships. He has also led teams to tournament championships at Surf Cup and Jefferson Cup and top finishes at many other regional tournaments. Hector Diaz has worked with a number of top players, including Alberto Diaz (2010 Cal-South Player of the Year and U-15 US National Team), Alejandro Guido (U-15 and U-17 US National Teams), Luis Alvarado (San Diego State University soccer team) and Marco Lujan (U-17 Club de Fútbol Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente).

On challenges as a DOC:

The biggest challenge of being a Director of Coaching is finding the right coaches to interpret the style – our style – of soccer to be implemented throughout the club.

On the rewards of being a DOC:

The biggest reward of being a Director of Coaching is watching the implemented style of soccer played and the club's growing success. This success is measured by players reaching the next level of soccer.

Part three of the series on Being a DOC will be out next week with answers from Jeff Illingworth - CV Manchester, Derek Armstrong - Nomads and Michael Duggan - Carlsbad Lightning.

Related Article: So Cal Youth Soccer Directors of Coaching on Being DOC