Our Educator Staff
Nicole Arsenault
Current Position(s):
Technical Director Idaho Youth Soccer
Playing Experience:
Coaching Licenses:
Gary Burke
Current Position(s):
Program Manager, SAM Soccer 2016-Present
Coach, Bethesda Soccer Club 2016-Present
Playing Experience:
St. Francis University (PA)
Coaching Licenses:
USSF A-License
USSF Grassroots Licensed Educator Level II
NSCAA Premier Diploma
USYS National Youth License
NSCAA Goalkeeping Course
Marc Burkom
Current Position(s):
Director of Player Development, MSI Soccer, 2022-Present
Playing Experience:
Beth Tfiloh High School
Coaching Licenses:
USSF C-License
USSF Grassroots Licensed Educator Level I
Corey Childs
Current Position(s):
Boys 13U Head Coach, A3 Soccer, 2022-present
Director of Premier Operations, A3 Soccer, 2021-present
Boys Varsity Head Coach, St. Mary’s High School, 2017-present
Pool Coach, Maryland Olympic Development Program, 2017-present
Playing Experience:
3-year Varsity Player, Broadneck High School
Youth Club Soccer with Freestate and Baltimore Bays
Coaching Licenses:
USSF C License
USSF Grassroots Licensed Educator Level I
USSF Coach Educator (almost)
USSF GRIP 11v11 Online
USC Goalkeeper Diploma Level 1
USC Futsal Diploma
USC 7v7/9v9 Diploma
USC Performance Analysis Diploma
Eric Clermont
Current Position(s):
Playing Experience:
Coaching Licenses:
John Dingle
Current Position(s):
Director, Soccer Source 360 1991-Present
Playing Experience:
Central Connecticut State University
Coaching Licenses:
USSF B License,
US Youth Soccer National Youth License
USSF Grassroots Licensed Educator Level II
John Ellinger
Current Position(s):
Technical Director Baltimore Armour/SAC
Playing Experience:
Coaching Licenses:
USSF A
Vicki Hall
Current Position(s):
Girls Director of Coaching, U13-U19, SYC Soccer
Playing Experience:
Northwood University, Scotland U-20 Women
Coaching Licenses:
USSF A License
Scottish FA C License
Advanced National Certificate (NSCAA)
USSF Grassroots Licensed Educator Level II
Michael Haas
Current Position(s):
Playing Experience:
Coaching Licenses:
Sherri Huckleberry
Current Position(s):
LFCIA Maryland Director of Coaching
Playing Experience:
Maryland ODP
University of Connecticut
Wembley FC, England
Connecticut Wolves
Columbus Ziggs
Indiana Blaze
Coaching Licenses:
USSF A License
USSF Grassroots Licensed Educator Level II
Willie Ibarra
Current Position(s):
None
Playing Experience:
Salisbury University, Prince Georges Community College
Coaching Licenses:
USSF A License
USSF Grassroots Licensed Educator Level II
National Youth Coaching License
TOPSoccer Certified
Peter Krech
Current Position(s):
Head Women’s Soccer Coach
St. Marys College of Maryland
Head Coach, East Region Girls
National Staff
USYS ODP
Playing Experience:
St. Mary’s College of Maryland
Coaching Licenses:
USSF C
USC Goalkeeping Level 1 Diploma
GR Coaching Educator
Alan Lydiate
Current Position(s):
LFCIA Maryland Academy Director
Playing Experience:
North West Counties League in Blackpool, England
Coachi
FA Level 1
USSF A-License
USSF Grassroots Licensed Educator Level II
NSCAA Director of Coaching Diploma
TOPSoccer Certified
NSCAA GK National Diploma
Nathean Meadows
Current Position(s):
Director of Outreach & Grassroots, MSYSA
Head Coach, Soccer Association of Columbia 2006- Present
Coach, MD ODP, 2016-2019, 2023-present
Coaching License
USSF B-License
USYS National Youth License
TOPSoccer Certified
U.S. Soccer Grassroots Instructor License Level 2
U.S. Soccer Coach Educator: Grassroots License
U.S. Soccer Coach Educator: D License
Lou Mignone
Current Position(s):
Coaching Director NJ ODP and TOPSoccer
Playing Experience:
Played at Rutgers Newark
Coaching Licenses:
Educator License – B, C, D, Grassroots, CTL-1 DoC
Ben Mortimer
Current Position(s):
Owner/Director, Four Soccer 2012-current
Playing Experience:
George Washington University
England Schools Football Association U18
Coaching License:
USSF A License
USSF Goalkeeping License
USSF National Youth License
USSF Grassroots Licensed Educator Level II
Nick Papadis
Current Position(s):
Playing Experience:
Coaching Licenses:
Michelle Smith
Current Position(s):
Playing Experience:
Coaching Licenses:
Pat Sweeney
Current Position(s):
Western Reserve Academy
Assistant Director of External Programs
Assistant Boys varsity Coach
Assistant Coach WRA Residential Soccer Program
Coaching Licenses:
US Soccer A License
US Soccer GR, D and C Educator Licenses
Keith Tabatznik
Current Position(s):
Director of Soccer, Elite 300 Soccer Academy
Talent ID Scout, US Soccer
Playing Experience:
American University
Capital Soccer League All-Stars
Coaching Licenses:
USSF A License
USSF Grassroots Licensed Educator Level II
Auke Wiersma
Current Position(s):
Playing Experience:
Coaching Licenses:
How to Become an Educator
Coach Educator Course Overview
The Coach Educator Course is designed for individuals interested in becoming a U.S. Soccer Coach Educator. Student-educators will begin their education process with the Base Course and then proceed onto their license-specific course level (ex. Base Course –> Coach Educator – C License or Base Course –> Coach Educator – B License).
Admission Criteria
The Coach Educator Application Process comprises of two (2) Phases:
- Phase 1: All interested and eligible applicants enter here
- Phase 2: Applicants are reviewed in Phase 1, and selected applicants are then invited to complete the second part of the process
Eligibility
- At least 18 years of age
- Holds a minimum U.S. Soccer C License
- Proof of teaching experience
- Maintains status of good standing with U.S. Soccer Member Association
- Maintains active safety certifications on their U.S. Soccer Learning Center Profile (SafeSport & Intro to Safe and Healthy Playing Environments)
- U.S. Soccer may require a background check for approved candidates (prior to beginning License Level Course)
Base Course
The Base Course is a 40-hour course that consists of online modules (Independent learning) as well as virtual meetings and assignments. The Base Course is for all Educators (Coach Educators at all levels from GR to B as well as other Educators (I.e., DOC). The Base Course utilizes the U.S. Soccer Coach Educator Profile as the basis to develop the competencies (attitude-knowledge-skills) needed to meet the demands of the profession in the ever-developing game of soccer. Upon successfully completing the Base Course, the SCE will then be enrolled into one track of the “Course Level Pathway” courses.
There are two main components of the Base Course:
- Online content modules that the Student Coach Educator can do in his/her own time (independent learning)
- Virtual meetings are designed to have more in-depth conversations based on personal reflections of the online content. The virtual meetings will be organized by US Soccer National Staff
License-Specific Course Information
Upon successful completion of the Base Course, coach-educator students are then invited to register for their license-specific course level.
