April 10, 2005

U.S. Soccer Names Director of Coaching Education and Youth Development

Recently, National Staff Coach Bob Jenkins was named U.S. Soccer's Director of Coaching Education and Youth Development. The Director of Coaching Education position was implemented to help raise the overall standard of coaching education available within the United States. As the Director of Coaching Education and Youth Development, Jenkins will be charged with creating a consistent philosophy in National Education Programs and communicating player development concepts and positions.

"The Director of Coaching Education and Youth Development position is important because it addresses the issues in youth soccer and I'm very excited to take on this position," said Jenkins. "U.S. Soccer has always done a great job with coaching education and this is an opportunity to continue the evolution of coaching education in this country."

Additionally, U.S. Soccer introduced Mike Dickey and David Rubinson as Women's National Staff Coaches, further strengthening the Coaching Education staff.

A member of U.S. Soccer's National Teams coaching staff since 1999, Jenkins began as an assistant coach for the U.S. Under-18 Men's National Team. In 2002, he became a National Staff Coach (Region I), and in 2004 he was named head coach of the Under-18 MNT. In his new role, Jenkins will be responsible for the oversight of U.S. Soccer's coaching curriculum and will guide all aspects of coaching education, as well as oversee National Staff Coaches on technical matters. He will continue to serve as the Region I Men's National Staff Coach and the U-18 Men's National Team coach.

Along with Jenkins' new role, US Soccer has also named two new National Staff Coaches, as Mike Dickey and David Rubinson were named Women's National Staff Coaches for Region II and Region III, respectively. With the appointment of Dickey and Rubinson, U.S. Soccer now has a full compliment of four National Staff Coaches (NSCs) on the women's side. Dickey and Rubinson join Jeff Pill (Region I) and Stephanie Gabbert (Region IV) as Women's National Staff Coaches, each working directly with Jenkins.

U.S. Soccer's National Staff Coach Program consists of eight coaches operating throughout the United States. Four coaches are assigned specifically for women's initiatives and four are assigned to men's initiatives. Currently, Men's NSCs are Jenkins (Region I), Roberto Lopez (Region II), Juan Carlos Michia (Region III) and one open position (Region IV). National Staff Coaches are responsible for the instruction and execution of National Coaching Schools and State "C" courses, instruction of State level coaches to teach the "D," "E," and Youth Licenses, curriculum development, development and management of National Instructional Staff and the organization of national and regional coaching symposia.

Rubinson joins U.S. Soccer as a Women's NSC after serving as the Women's Head Soccer Coach at Texas Christian University from 1986 until 2004. He was also an assistant to the U.S. Women's National B Team at the 1990 North American Cup and to the U.S. U-19 Women's National Team at the 1990 U.S. Olympic Festival.

Dickey joins U.S. Soccer as Region II Women's NSC after serving as Senior Staff of the Region I Girls' ODP since 1999. He was also State coach of the Delaware ODP and an instructor for "D," "E," and "F" State Coaching courses.

As U.S. Soccer's National Staff coaches, Dickey and Rubinson will help to raise the overall level of play within the United States through player identification and development, and coaching education. Rubinson and Dickey will also help provide a direct link between U.S. Soccer and clubs, and state youth and senior associations in their regions. Much of Dickey and Rubinson's work will include traveling throughout Regions II and III, respectively, and taking a hands-on approach with state associations and clubs, in coaching education courses, clinics and player development opportunities to provide technical leadership and direction within the youth soccer community.