Gary Curneen: The Coach's Coach

Josh Schneider-Weiler
Nov 12, 2017
2 min read

This week's guest is Gary Curneen. Curneen is the head coach of women's soccer at the University of California State Bakersfield. Prior to Cal State, Gary was the Assistant Women's Soccer Coach at University of Cincinnati and Head Women's Soccer Coach at Wingate University. Gary holds a UEFA 'A' License from the Irish FA and a "Premier Diploma" from the NSCAA.

However, Curneen is more well known as the author of 'The Modern Soccer Coach' series which aim to educate coaches. His books touch on a wide variety of subjects from pressing to preseason training. In all he's written 6 books, 2 of which are kids books.

You can learn more about him by going on his website or his twitter @GaryCurneen where he posts a lot of his work and his beliefs. I really recommend it. He's an expert on coaches using social media and on coaching coaches which is why I was really excited to have him on the show.

In this episode we discuss: building culture in a team, how coaches should use social media, coaching coaches, youth player psychology and his advice for Paul Scholes.

Timeline

The inspiration for coming to America 4:39

Examples of bad habits 9:57

Outsourcing culture building 13:55

The opportunities his books have given him 20:39

"social media" and "branding" for coaches 25:40

How to develop coaches 35:00

Coaching license is a drivers license 41:17

Change in youth psychology 48:58

Advice to Paul Scholes 52:45

Big staffs and specialists 57:12

Is soccer progressive? 1:05:17