December 21, 2023

#356 Alan Kirkup, Former Man United Player and 30 Year NCAA Coach, on Creating Connection Through Conversation and Instilling a Culture of Excellence

1 hour 12 minutes

Alan Kirkup is a former professional soccer player with Manchester United, and then spent multiple decades coaching in the US. He was head women's soccer coach at SMU, Maryland, and the University of Arkansas before joining Becky Burleigh at the University of Florida for nearly two decades. He compiled over 250 wins as a head coach, leading SMU to a Final 4 and making the NCAA tournament every year he coached at Maryland. He is currently the women's technical director at Lexington Soccer Club and head coach of their USL Women's professional team. Today on the podcast we discuss his playing career, all the lessons learned as a collegiate head coach, and making the transition to assistant coach at the University of Florida.

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By John O'Sullivan

4.8