Book Private Soccer Lessons with Coach TJ
My name is TJ Donahue, and I am an accomplished Professional Boy's/Men’s Soccer Coach. I have forty years of documented individual and group coaching successes. I attribute my achievements to a lifelong analysis of the history of the game, of which, I have developed a unique coaching philosophy. I differ from my peers because I COACH my players, as opposed to TRAINING them. I have won numerous conference championships as Head Coach at St. Xavier University, Kendall College, and Moraine Valley Community College. My professional soccer experience includes several seasons as Goalkeeper Coach for the Chicago Fire Reserves, Professional Development League Champions. I have continued my study of the game over the years with certifications from the United States Soccer Federation and the National Soccer Coaches Association. However, my informal internships under a collection of mentors with varied coaching philosophy’s have been invaluable in my education of the game.
Evergreen Park, IL
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Get to know Coach TJ
About Me:
My coaching journey has not been as traditional as most candidates. However, I believe that my years of documented experience in coaching, communication, and administration is at a professional level.
I played and coached at Lewis University, when both were NCAA II affiliated. I was an Assistant Soccer coach at Illinois-Chicago for several seasons, and in 1990, St. Xavier University hired me to initiate a Men’s Soccer program, which resulted in a highly successful 12-year run, with six Chicagoland Collegiate Conference Championships. I was hired as Head Men’s Coach in 2002 to take over the Kendall College Men’s Soccer program., where I won another CCAC Championship.
I have also coached professionally as the goalkeeping coach for the Chicago Fire Reserve Team (CFR), which competed in the National Professional Development League (NPSL). The CFR team consisted of the top collegiate players from across the country who aspired to play professionally after graduation.
In 2016, I accepted the Men’s Head Coaching position at Moraine Valley Community College. In four seasons of competition at MVCC, the team compiled a 58-12-3 record, including two first place finishes in the Skyway Conference and the 16 team NJCAA Region IV.
How I can help you improve your game:
I focus on maximizing the players strengths and minimizing the deficiencies in their game. I do this through technical/tactical coaching-by position, and game film evaluation. I always take the players current soccer coach/club program situations into consideration during evaluations and training. My extensive experience has taught me that player's and parents need individual soccer COACHING experience that makes a difference.
What a typical training session looks like with me:
A typical training session will be scheduled after I study some game film of the player (No Charge). I need to see what He needs to work on, how he plays his position, etc. I do not want to waste anyone's time that I do not feel I can help.
I can do individual sessions, but I prefer small groups, 3-6 players, so that I can simulate game situations, and improve technique under pressure. My Coaching is done in a positive manner at all times!
Career summary and accomplishments:
SOCCER COACHING HISTORY: Moraine Valley Community College 2016-2020 Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference Palos Hills, Illinois Head Men’s Soccer Coach International Football Club (Inter FC) 2006-2020 Consultant and Trainer Bridgeview, Illinois Richard J. Daley College 2015 City Colleges of Chicago Conference Chicago, Illinois Head Coach Chicago Fire Premier 2012 National Professional Development League Chicago, Illinois Assistant Soccer Coach Chicago Fire Reserves 2004-2005 National Professional Development League Chicago, Illinois Assistant Soccer Coach University of Illinois - Chicago 2004 & 1985 Horizon League - NCAA Division I Chicago, Illinois Assistant Men’s Soccer Coach Kendall College 2002-2004 Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Evanston, Illinois Head Men’s Soccer Coach St. Xavier University 1989-2001 Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Chicago, Illinois Head Men’s Soccer Coach Evergreen Indoor Soccer 1985-1990 General Manager Evergreen Park, Illinois Lewis University 1983-1984 Great Lakes Valley Conference - NCAA Division II Romeoville, Illinois Assistant Men’s Soccer Coach/Goalkeepers
Best coach I ever had:
The best coaches I have ever had are the players themselves. Listening is the key to coaching.
What athletes and parents should know about me:
My eldest son Ryan is a graduate of the University of Iowa. A four year Big Ten punter, who also played for the Detroit Lions for two years after making the team as an undrafted free agent, following graduation. Ryan was elected to the Oak Lawn Park District as a Commissioner. Kyle is an Engineering graduate of St. Louis University and is a Senior Engineer at WSP USA. My youngest son Christopher graduated from Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana. He currently works as a Corporate Recruiter and has been the Head Soccer Coach at Chicago St. Rita High School, and Richard J Daley College.
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