In Episode 102, Dave Simeone, Director of Education Programs for United Soccer Coaches who has coached at every level, including the 1999 USWNT World Cup champions, talks with Phil and Paul about his extensive coaching experience and the lessons he learned from the journey, his favorite things about coaching, his thoughts on the state of US Soccer, why coaches need to encourage innovation and creativity and how they can do so, how coaching is like cooking (and how we can become master chefs), and USC’s online education platform, The Training Ground. Specifically, Dave discusses:

• His personal story, how he went from street soccer to the National team, and how he developed his passion for soccer, leadership, and coaching (3:11)
• The importance of “picking up the phone” and taking initiative to connect with coaches and others to further your career (10:10)
• What level of coaching he enjoyed the most and what made it so special (13:10)
• Some of his favorite things about coaching (16:14)
• His personal “why” and life mission, and how he is living it out (18:34)
• What he likes about soccer in the US today and what he would change if he could wave a magic wand and make it happen (23:51)
• How we can keep encouraging innovation and creativity in the game in the US and why it is important to do so – and how coaching is like cooking (32:43)
• The Training Ground online education program and why Dave is so excited about it (39:29)
• How he has used lessons from the game in his coaching and other leadership positions (55:21)
• How he is using lessons learned from soccer in his personal life off the pitch (1:00:32)
• His book recommendations (1:05:25)

Resources and Links from this Episode

• The Training Ground (USC Education platform)
• Uncut Video of the Episode
• HSEL Facebook Group
• Warrior Way Soccer
• Coaching the Bigger Game Program
• Phil’s email for DISC Training
• Chop Wood, Carry Water: How to Fall in Love with the Process of Becoming Great, by Joshua Medcalf
• What Drives Winning: Building Character Gets Results. Here’s How, by Brett Ledbetter