Q&A WITH FIELDS BROWN: UNITED SOCCER COACHES WEST REGION YOUTH COACH OF THE YEAR

By Javier Arellano | jarellano@coloradosoccer.org | Jan. 29, 2020 at 12:34 pm

DENVER, CO — FC Boulder Coach Fields Brown was recently recognized as the 2019 United Soccer Coaches West Region Youth Coach of the Year. We caught up with him in this Q&A as he talk about different topics.

Q: Provide a brief overview of your background. How did you end up in Colorado?

A: I grew in Fuquay Varina, North Carolina, a suburb of Raleigh. I finished college at UNCW, and haven't lived in North Carolina since. Having a chance to coach in the collegiate, club, ODP, and Semi Pro game took me to South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee, before moving to Colorado in 2015 to work with Arsenal Colorado. After two years at Arsenal, I moved to FC Boulder in July of 2017. Kelly (my wife) both took new opportunities to make the move to Boulder with her moving from her role as Assistant Coach at CSU, to a new role with CU Boulder in April of 2017. 

Q: How did you begin coaching? Who influenced you to be a coach?

A: I grew up in the gym, as my dad was a high school basketball coach, so coaching really comes natural to me. With both my parents school teachers, as well as myself getting a degree in education, I found myself following my dad to all of his games and practices, whether that be basketball or tennis. Outside of my dad, my ultimate influence to coach was my uncle, who gave me my first job coaching at his soccer camps at the University of North Carolina after my Freshman year in college. First seen as a way to get some money in between semesters turned into finding a true passion to be a soccer coach. I took my first role coaching while attending college working at a local club, before starting as a career as the Assistant Coach at Wofford College in June of 2005; which I've been doing ever since. So coming up on completing my 15th year as a coach for a career, 17th overall. 

Q: What's the single most important thing for you as a coach? 

A: The single most important thing for me as a coach is to give kids all the passion and energy I have for the game and life to them, using it as a chance to build them as people. I am fortunate to have this as a career, and this game has given so much to me. From friends, life lessons, to ultimately meeting my wife and the love of my life, I have so much admiration for what soccer has given me. I love to use the quote "Sports don't build character, they reveal it", and I can genuinely say this game has taught me so much that I enjoy taking pride in using it to give back to the youth. Plus, they can still teach me a few things in my old age! 

VIDEO: Fields Brown Mic’D Up at 2020 ODP West Championships

Q: Besides results on the field, a coach is also encouraged to develop the youth on a personal/character level. What are some of the values you try to install in your players?

A: Hard work, working as a team, preparation, and commitment are the values that I try to develop in players.  I hope I instill these in my teams and players, and it is a part of our DNA as a team.

Q: What has been the most proud moment for you as a coach? 

A: So many that I think of, for so many different reasons. I would say that winning a State Cup Championship last Spring with the 2000 Boys Academy has to be the one I choose for now. An amazing group of men, with so many fantastic individual stories to tell. A close second would be winning a Desert Premier League Championship in 2018 and getting the opportunity to play in USYS National League with my 2001 Elite Girls.

Q: You've been with Colorado Select (Colorado ODP) for a few years now, whats this experience like for the players and the coaches during the offseason playing against other top state teams from the region?

A: Having the chance to work with ODP in South Carolina and Tennessee, and now Colorado, I must say that ODP is a fantastic experience for me as a coach, and is a great platform for players. Colorado Select is run with professionalism and class, and I love the coaches, players, and teams that I have been able to work with. I believe in ODP and what it stands for, even in the current landscape of DA and ECNL. To have the chance to see our players compete against the Region's best has been amazing over the last 3 years, but I'm more proud of how well the kids have developed as friends and teammates off the field in a short period of time, as well as the style of play we have been able to demonstrate at this level. Lastly, it has given me a chance to work with some of the best coaches in the Region, starting with my Assistant coach the last two years, Matt Vannice, as well as the chance to be working at the Region ODP level with the likes of Kelly Brown, Nate Shotts, Tommy Hurdle, Tiffany Milbrett, etc. 

Q: What does the United Soccer Coaches West Region Youth Coach of the Year mean to you? 

A: It is amazing. Can't really think of the words because there are so many to write down! So fortunate, blessed, humbled and happy to be recognized with this award. There are so many great coaches, and I know that a number of others could have been recognized, but thankful beyond words to be the one to receive it. I really have to thank my parents, my wife, my assistant coaches, team managers, the players, the teams, my club, my friends, colleagues...they are all apart of this individual award; I couldn't have done it without them. 

Q: What's the best piece of advice you can give to a player that is just starting to play soccer? 

A: Fall in love with your ball. I can remember spending countless nights in my cul-de-sac under a streetlight with a ball. This is where I really just fell in love with the game, tried all the things that I saw, and took the time to get better. This led me to so much more in the game of soccer, but really just spending time with a ball at my feet is the piece of advice that I would give.