The following is a chat I had with Joey Cascio on what it’s like for a youth coach in the States to change clubs.

Actually, you know what, that’s not exactly right. It’s more an episode on the decision-making process a coach might go through when they’re thinking about leaving their current club, and going to a new one.

This is many times a nerve-racking situation, especially if the coaching is one’s livelihood – it’s just like any profession or occupation.

Maybe the grass is greener over there, maybe it’s not, but maybe it is. And back and forth you go. And you just don’t know until you actually take the leap and experience it for yourself. A big risk, nonetheless.

It kind of goes without saying, but I’m sure most everyone in the workforce knows this feeling.

So we explore what are perhaps the most important considerations when a youth coach in the States is making this decision.

Many of you might know Joey from previous episodes or from directly engaging with him over the past 10+ years.

And for the uninitiated, he’s coached at all levels, whether it be “rec”, the lowest club level, or up to and including the MLS academy level.

In fact, when the new MLS franchise LAFC launched, he was the coach hired to start their academy from zero. And that he did! He brought over his existing FC Man United team, which was killing it, and created the other two teams that together would form the start of that academy.

His original team, by the way, became a key group for that franchise with many important players – one of which has already signed an MLS homegrown contract.

Joey is a very humble person, so it’s up to others to give him the credit he deserves. From my end, Joey’s welcomed on my squad any day!

I can keep going on and on about his coaching capabilities and what a great human being he is, but whatever I say won’t do him justice.

Whoever ends up working with him is fortunate.

Speaking of which, Joey now coaches in the San Diego area helping build out a club – Rebels SC – that is making a name for itself – shout out to Ryan, the director in that location. Maybe we’ll have to bring him on the pod one day as well.

But enough of the intro, let’s go ahead and get some pearls of wisdom from Joey himself, as he discusses the challenges he’s personally felt, and many coaches probably feel and should consider when they’re evaluating a new coaching opportunity at a new club.

The post Ep 302: What Ambitious Youth Coaches Should Consider When Assessing Job Opportunities appeared first on 3four3.