Glenn Crooks - Inside Elite US Coaching & Culture: What Top Coaches Do Differently

This week on the Modern Soccer Coach Podcast, Gary Curneen is joined by Glenn Crooks.

A former Division 1 college coach, MLS commentator for New York City FC, and host of the Coaching Academy on SiriusXM, Glenn brings a unique perspective shaped by years inside the game. His new book, Put It on Frame, draws from conversations with some of the top coaching minds and forms the foundation for a discussion that goes well beyond tactics.

This episode gets into the reality of coaching at a deeper level — what actually separates top coaches, how they think, and how they lead. It’s a conversation about clarity, personality, and managing people in environments that are constantly evolving.

Gary and Glenn also explore the current state of US coaching and player development — a landscape that continues to grow, but is still searching for a clear identity at the highest levels of the game.

In this episode, we cover:

What top coaches really do differently Why coaching is more about managing than tactics The biggest challenges in US player development Key trends shaping MLS right now What success should actually look like for the US national team

If you’re serious about your coaching, this episode will challenge how you see the role and what it really demands.

If you’d like to win a copy of Glenn’s book, comment “book” below.

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