YOUTH ACADEMY SOCCER COACH
San Diego FC (San Diego FC) is the newest member of the Major League Soccer family. As part of the unique Right to Dream model and the Sycuan Tribe's deep roots, we are proud to be building a San Diego-centric soccer organization that honors our history and celebrates emerging excellence.
SUMMARY:
We are seeking experienced, dedicated, and compassionate Youth Academy Coaches to join SDFC's elite residential soccer academy. As part of San Diego FC's Right to Dream Academy, you will be working with a multicultural group of student-athletes ages U10-U14. Our Club emphasizes individual player development, holistic growth, and the nurturing of technical, tactical, physical, social, emotional and mental skills. The Coach will provide a comprehensive development program for each player, ensuring they thrive on and off the field.
The role acts within the unique culture of a holistic approach in terms of understanding, educating and implementing age-related training concepts within the Right to Dream philosophy and San Diego FC's vision and mission, with the goal of developing, fostering and managing student athletes, where school education and football education are tightly incorporated
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Technical & Tactical Development: Assist in planning and conducting training sessions focused on individual skill enhancement, tactical awareness, and game intelligence to meet each player's developmental needs: Periodization, style of play and daily/weekly planning meetings ahead of training - including coordination with specialistsWhole-Being Development: Support the academy's mission to nurture well-rounded student-athletes by addressing physical, mental, and emotional growth through mentoring and positive reinforcement.Progress Tracking: Collaborate with support staff to assess and document players' progress, setting individualized goals and providing regular feedback to players and their families. Conduct daily training sessions, ensuring positive involvement of life skills in each and every session. Develop individual football-specific player development programs/evaluations consistent with age-related methodologies. Assist in execution of holistic individual development plans with specialist and teachersMatch Preparation & Analysis: Assist in pre-match training, game strategy planning, and provide constructive feedback during and after matches to enhance individual and team performance. Attend and prepare for match days and future games working in close alignment with scouting and recruitment department.Cultural Sensitivity & Inclusion: Foster an inclusive environment that respects and celebrates the diverse backgrounds of all players, encouraging open-mindedness and teamwork. Maintain a line of communication with the staff (School and Football) focused on the well-being of the student athlete.Player & Family Communication: Maintain open and proactive communication with players and families, supporting their understanding of the academy's philosophy and each player's journey.Safety & Supervision: Ensure a safe, positive training environment, with close supervision on and off the field, reinforcing health and safety standards. Create a safe and strong developing environment where psychological safety goes hand in hand with accelerated learning concepts. Understand and enforce all SafeSport guidelines and practicesTeam Collaboration: Work alongside academy coaches, physical trainers, and counselors to deliver an aligned approach to player development and address specific needs holistically. Work closely with all staff, from Human performance, Sports Psychologist to implement and integrate all sports-specific aspects into the programQUALIFICATIONS:
Candidates can meet the requirements with a combination of experience in the following areas:
- Extensive experience mentoring young student athletes (U10-U14)
- Experience coaching youth soccer at competitive or elite levels, ideally with multicultural or international student-athletes
- Strong background in individual player development with a focus on holistic coaching techniques
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to motivate and mentor young athletes (bilingual – Spanish speaking a plus)
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment and build positive relationships with players and families
- Knowledge of sports psychology and youth development principles is preferred
Preferred qualifications at a plus, but not required:
- USSF License or equivalent
- CPR/First Aid Certification
- Degree in Sports Science, Kinesiology, or Physical Education
- Some Child Development Training
- CPR and First Aid Certification
- SafeSport and Concussion Protocol Experience
ABOUT SAN DIEGO FC:
Our VISION is to be the epicenter of football excellence and innovation in North America. Our MISSION is to create opportunities for talent to flourish and San Diego to shine.
We value community, diversity, and acting with purpose. We are looking for leaders at all levels to co-create the culture of a new organization that is built on the premise that you can discover, understand, and re-define excellence by nurturing talent and creating opportunity anywhere – specifically though soccer.
Globally, Right to Dream partners with talented young people to give them a nurturing environment to flourish and thrive. We do this through a holistic model of athletic development, where young people grow as human beings and great footballers. RTD's promise is set out in their Manifesto: a set of 8 commitments which will be central to the San Diego FC ethos from the front office to the field, when games start at Snapdragon Stadium in 2025.
This is an opportunity to be a part of a great team building something meaningful for San Diego. We offer excellent benefits including health coverages with generous company contributions, over 30 days of paid time off, and a 4% company match on your 401(k). Soccer is humanity and together, we can make a meaningful impact both on and off the field, fostering a culture that embraces excellence and equal opportunities. SDFC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.