Coaching Philosophy: Teaching Skills that Count off the Field

Maurice Boylan has been the assistant coach for the McDaniel College women's soccer team since 2009. Prior to joining the Green Terror, he spent eight years coaching at McDonogh.  He is also a coach for the Baltimore FC and Baltimore Bays SC. 

Boylan shared his philosophy on working with young athletes and it revolves around building skills that will transfer to everyday life.

Patch: What life lessons do you wish to teach your players?

Boylan: Life lessons: team work, responsibility, accountability, respect, good character etc. I want to know they put their best effort forward and that they were a good team mate.

Patch: What do you hope they walk away with at the end of a season?

Boylan: Patience, tolerance, respect the game and your opponent. My players are coached with the goal of being good citizens, with good character. Life lessons are at the core of how I coach.

Patch: What are some of the challenges of coaching at a smaller college like McDaniel?

Boylan: Coaching at McDaniel isn't much different than coaching at my old school, McDonogh School, or with the Bays; academics first, hard work and then have fun. Recruiting is a challenge though because there are a lot of great options out there school-wise, so you need to find the right fit academically and athletically.

Patch: How does the fact that you have coached both male and female athletes change the way you approach your coaching?

Boylan: I have coached both male and females at the highest level as well as ages 3-17 in rec, travel or high level club soccer. Coaching men/boys is ego management and coaching girls/women is emotion management. There has to be a balance. But I love kids who are eager to learn and want to be taught. (I have) always prided myself on getting the best out of my players. They become life long friends.