New Head Coach of USSF Development Academy at Albion SC
Albion SC is one of America’s top premier youth soccer clubs and has a proven record of player development. This Southern California youth soccer club is continuing their growth and focused dedication to player development with the addition of Paul Holohan as the Head Coach of their USSF Development Academy.
Holohan has been coaching in Southern California since 1998 and brings a wealth of soccer experience to Albion SC. San Diego State Men’s Soccer Assistant Coach since 2010, Holohan was also the Director of Coaching at Carlsbad Elite. Holohan was previously a U.S. Development Academy Coach with the Nomads Soccer Club.
“I am thrilled to be joining Albion SC and to be coaching at the USSF Development Academy level again,” said Holohan who is looking forward to the new challenges of coaching Albion’s U14 USSF DA team. “This will be Albion’s third year in the Development Academy. Last year, the team performed very well against tough competition.”
“The Albion U14 USSF Development Academy team is a good group of highly technical players,” said Holohan. A coach known for possession style soccer that presses aggressively, Holohan likes his players to keep the ball on the ground and press the opposition. He is also a hands-on coach who likes to be involved with all aspects of his teams’ training. He believes in developing the whole player and has been known to even check in on his players’ grades.
“The progress of our academy players will be assessed monthly and each player will receive a three-month player development review,” said Holohan who will evaluating player’s technical abilities, work rate and athleticism.
Already looking at the future of Albion SC, “The goal is to have U.S. Soccer grant us the Development Academy for the U16 and U18 age brackets as well,” said Holohan. “Albion will be kicking off the younger age Development Academy for the U12s next year.”
What does Holohan recommend for developing great technical skill outside of team trainings? “Futsal is invaluable for developing technical abilities,” said Holohan. “Playing Futsal gives players hundreds of touches on the ball and is one of the best training tools.”
Holohan has enjoyed considerable success already in the coaching ranks of youth soccer club and on the collegiate soccer fields of Southern California. While at the Nomads, he coached youth soccer teams to several State and Regional championships, including a Red Bull NL17 National Championship in 2007. Holohan coached the Nomads BU19s to a 2005 Cal South State Cup and Region IV Far West Regional title and a trip to the USYSA National Championships in Orlando, FL.
Holohan was also on the UC San Diego coaching staff for 10 years working under head coach Derek Armstrong. During his tenure, Holohan assisted Armstrong in leading the Tritons with their transition from the NCAA Division III ranks to the Division II level. He helped UCSD to five CCAA postseason appearances, including the program’s first-ever NCAA D-II Tournament appearance in 2003.
As a collegiate player, Holohan starred at Boston College in the Atlantic Coast Conference, graduating with a communications and finance degree in 1994. Originally from Dublin, Ireland, Holohan played professionally for the Shamrock Rovers FC and Home Farm FC in the Eircome League of Ireland, as well as the English club Preston North End.
