UVM’s Brad Cole on the Journey to a Title

Damian interviews University of Vermont associate head soccer coach Brad Cole. Brad shares his coaching journey, which started at UVM where he played and continued coaching after graduation. His experiences include a coaching internship in England, roles at Cornell University, and the University of Portland before returning to Vermont. They discuss the differences in coaching styles and youth development between the US and Europe, strategies for molding winning teams, and the importance of mentorship. Brad also reflects on UVM's remarkable season culminating in their first Division I national championship, emphasizing the community support, the players' dedication, and maintaining grounded despite immense success.

 

Topics

00:30 Meet Brad Cole: From Player to Coach

02:15 Coaching Journey: From Vermont to England

03:39 Insights from Coaching in England

10:28 Transitioning Back to the U.S. and Coaching at Cornell

17:04 Adapting to Different Coaching Environments

24:20 The Importance of Mentorship

24:55 Building a Network of Trusted Advisors

25:50 Transitioning from Mentee to Mentor

29:15 Handling Success and Its Challenges

33:49 The Pressure of Sustained Success

36:38 Creating a Winning Culture

41:59 Balancing Intensity and Relaxation

43:59 Final Thoughts and Social Media