January 20, 2023 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – San Diego Loyal News Release
San Diego Loyal SC Head Coach Nate Miller was part of the sixth graduating class to complete the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) Pro License, finishing a 12-month journey that began in December 2021. Joining an elite group of fewer than 75 coaches to have completed the highest-level coaching license in the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), Miller becomes the first San Diego area coach to earn the prestigious accreditation.
“To have the opportunity to achieve the highest level of learning possible, it’s an honor,” Miller said. “I’m a life-long learner. I love to learn and always be pursuing and evolving. Learning is a personal value of mine. Whenever there is an area to really improve or challenge myself in different ways, or surround myself with people who are at the top level, I will always embrace that.”
As the final stop and most intense course along the U.S. Soccer coaching education pathway from grassroots to professional, the USSF Pro License creates a tailored program for each candidate, where course objectives are met through in-person instruction, club environment assessments, a final presentation, expert speakers, site visits and webinars. The 2022 cohort underwent multiple group meetings and individual evaluations, while topics such as leadership and periodization were highlighted throughout.
“The course was extremely intense,” Miller said. “What makes the Pro different from the other licenses is how it’s tailored to your unique coaching environment. It’s less about methodology and more designed to use the context of your environment to take your coaching to the next level. You are pushed every day to define your identity, leadership style and game model as a professional coach.”
During the 12-month process, Miller worked closely with his U.S. Soccer’s Barry Pauwels, Director of Technical Development and lead instructor for the Pro License. In his role as mentor, Pauwels stayed in constant communication with Miller and visited San Diego multiple times to closely observe his coaching environment.
“Barry is an expert. He’s been immersed in the toughest environments at the highest levels. His job was to provoke me in order to bring out the best in me so I could see the ceiling I can reach. He showed me how to get there,” Miller said. “He has supported me through hard times, difficult situations and…
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