Ep 367: US Coaching Licenses – Another Credentialism Scam or Education?

Debate on the Value of US Soccer Coaching Licenses with Rory O’Neill

In this episode, we discuss the intricacies and controversies of soccer coaching licenses in the U.S. We go into our personal experiences, comparing U.S. and UEFA coaching licenses, and discuss the impact of licensing on both youth and professional coaching.

We highlight the high costs, stringent requirements, and the gatekeeping nature of coaching licenses, while also contemplating the potential for a more meritocratic approach. We touch on the practical aspects of coaching, differences in educational content between U.S. and UEFA licenses, sideline coaching philosophies, and the broader implications for American soccer’s growth and competitiveness.

00:00 Intro
07:51 Rory’s Background
09:05 Licensing – Matters of Safety or Public Interest
18:40 On Restricting the Supply of Licenses Granted
28:52 On Meritocracy and the Cost and Length of the Different Licenses
32:58 What is the Actual Value of US Soccer Licenses?
38:06 Do USSF Instructors Actually Have the Expertise to be Instructors?
47:22 Is Coaching Quality Correlated with License Level (Pro/Rel Talk)?
56:45 Mexico as a Case Study in No Longer Having Pro/Rel
01:00:21 World Cup Home Team Advantage (The US in 2026)
01:02:09 Sub: USMNT and the Pro Connection to the American Youth System
01:09:49 Going for the B License
01:14:57 The Changing Educational Landscape (Academia and Beyond)
01:19:24 The Impact of USL Getting Divison 1 Status and Pro/Rel
01:23:21 Final Thougths/Advice on Licensing
01:24:16 Sub: On Rondos at USSF and Not Addressing Practical Everyday Youth Coaching Issues
01:26:12 Sub: On Passion/Empathy Not Being Teachable
01:26:55 Sub: USSF Opinion On Sideline Coaching
01:29:57 Sub: On “Joysticking”
01:35:23 Sub: Did the UEFA Instructors Mention Anything About Match-day Coaching?

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