07/26/2026
💚⚽ I'm incredibly thankful for this recognition, not because I was looking for it, but because it reminds me that the time, energy, and passion invested in these young athletes truly makes a difference. That's always been the reason I coach.
I coach because I genuinely love helping young athletes grow—not just as soccer players, but as confident, resilient, respectful young people. Somewhere along the way, I realized a soccer ball can teach so much more than passing and shooting. It teaches confidence. Accountability. Resilience. Trust. Those lessons last far longer than the final score.
Watching a player accomplish something they never thought they could, seeing confidence replace self-doubt, and helping them fall in love with the game is what makes every late night, every practice, and every weekend worth it.
That said, I'd be lying if I said this email didn't mean a great deal to me.
I was recently informed that I was nominated for the 2026 Coach of the Year Award. While I wasn't expecting it and certainly don't coach for recognition, simply being mentioned alongside so many incredible coaches is an honor in itself.
Did I win? Nope.
Do I care? Honestly... not really.
Reading the comments from parents honestly left me speechless. Knowing that families trust me with their daughters and see the impact beyond wins and losses means more than any trophy ever could.
Some of the words shared included:
• "Great at communicating with my kid and has made her a strong player... Best coach I ever had since my daughter's career."
• "Coach Justin is truly an exceptional coach and mentor... She went from feeling frustrated and discouraged to genuinely loving soccer again."
• "He believed in her and pushed her to believe in herself... He creates an environment where the girls feel supported, challenged, and excited to grow."
• "The effort, talent, and love he gives our girls is second to none."
• "Wonderful mentor to children, with their growth in life and sport as the main priority."
• "He goes above and beyond to teach soccer... He has given the girls so much confidence on the field."
• "Our daughters have learned and grown so much. He's just the best."
To Cara Klare, thank you for taking the time each year to recognize coaches in our community. Your email was incredibly thoughtful, and I truly appreciate you sharing these nominations with me.
Most importantly, thank you to every parent who took the time to write those kind words. Your trust means everything. Thank you for allowing me to be a small part of your daughters' journeys. Coaching is a privilege I never take for granted.
People often see the games on Saturday.
They don't always see the extra training sessions, the practice planning, the late-night texts, the conversations after tough losses, the encouragement after mistakes, or the moments when a player finally believes in herself because someone believed in her first.
That's the part I love.
Whether it's with the ISC Rebels, my high school players, or through Kentucky Futbol Academy training sessions, my goal has always been the same: help every player leave the field better than they arrived—not just with better soccer skills, but with more confidence, a stronger work ethic, and a genuine love for the game.
I've never tried to build the best youth team.
I've always tried to build confident young women who happen to become great soccer players.
If we win along the way, that's a bonus.
To everyone who has trusted me with your child, supported me, challenged me, and believed in what we're building—thank you. I'm incredibly grateful, humbled by your words, and honored to be part of so many young athletes' journeys.
The awards are temporary.
The impact lasts forever.
And that's why I'll keep showing up. 💚⚽
Coach Justin
