Robert Podeyn Reviews

Never took accountability for the losing seasons and placed all blame on the players who worked really hard to play at that level. He took away the love of the game for many young ladies, very sad!

want someone to make you hate yourself? he’s the guy for you! absolutely degrades his players and tells them that they chose to be told they’re worthless.

Coach Podeyn has been an incredibly positive and powerful influence on me as a player, coach, and person. I was recruited by him in high school and played under him for 4 years, during which I developed immensely on and off the field. I was pushed to my limits as a player, which caused me to grow and develop in ways I didn’t know I was capable of. He was able to get the best player out of me, because he knew my potential and cared about me as both a person and player. I developed skill and understanding of the game, as well as confidence as a player and leader of my team. Later I worked for him as a coach and was able to understand him and his philosophy from the coaching side of the game, which allowed me to deepen my respect for Rob as both a coach and person. He is undeniably devoted to his team, his players, and the sport. To read these simply untrue statements of him and his coaching breaks my heart. I’ve know Rob as a coach, leader, mentor, friend, and person for about 8 years now and have played under him and worked with him in various environments. Rob’s intentions are genuine and always have been. What he does on and off the field is always with his players and team’s best interest in mind. It’s unfortunate that players can’t see past themselves to understand the greater picture. Any team or player would be lucky to have Rob as their coach.

As a parent and avid supporter of women’s soccer, I cannot speak highly enough of Coach Podeyn and the invaluable impact he has had on our team. Coach Podeyn embodies the qualities of a remarkable coach: fair, consistent, and dedicated to the growth and development of each player under his guidance. One of the most commendable aspects of Coach Podeyn's coaching style is his emphasis on fairness and consistency. He treats every player with respect and ensures that each one has an equal opportunity to learn and grow on the field. This creates a positive and inclusive team environment where everyone feels valued and motivated to give their best effort. What truly sets Coach Podeyn apart, however, is his ability to instill a sense of ownership and accountability in his players. He empowers them to take responsibility for their actions and decisions both on and off the field, fostering leadership skills that extend far beyond soccer. By encouraging players to reflect on their mistakes and losses as opportunities for learning and improvement, Coach Podeyn cultivates a culture of resilience and growth within the team. Under Coach Podeyn's guidance, players not only refine their technical skills but also develop a deeper understanding of teamwork, sportsmanship, and perseverance. His coaching philosophy goes beyond the scoreboard, prioritizing the holistic development of each individual both as an athlete and as a person. In a competitive sports landscape often focused solely on winning, Coach Podeyn's approach is refreshing and impactful. He understands that true success is measured not only by victories on the field but also by the character and integrity instilled in his players. In conclusion, Coach Podeyn is more than just a soccer coach – he is a mentor, a role model, and a driving force behind the positive growth of our team. I am immensely grateful for his dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to shaping the next generation of athletes and leaders. Any team would be fortunate to have Coach Podeyn at the helm.

My daughter spent many years playing youth soccer for Podyne. Our family experience was positive, sincere, and trust worthy. At all times Podyne was professional, respectful towards his players and created a positive environment for all families. Many of his youth soccer players are currently playing college soccer and he continues to be their biggest fan.

I was able to play for coach for two years at the club level. I learned a lot playing for Rob. I would play for him any day

Coach Rob was my coach for 4 years. He made me believe in my self as a soccer player and pushed me to be be better. He was one of the best coaches I have ever had and without him I wouldn’t have been able to go to college and play soccer on a scholarship. He truly want the best for his players and to see them achieve their goals on and off the field. He was someone that I looked up to highly. I was honored to have him as a coach as long as I did and I think that anyone who has been coach by him is lucky and anyone who is thinking about being coached by him should. He showed me the beauty of soccer and everything that it has to offer.

Coach Rob coached my daughter for 2 years. In those two years he taught her team how to be a good player and teammate. He taught the girls to support each other. He taught them life lessons that only a coach could. He supported all of his girls. From the 24 girls that were on this club team 22 went on to play at the next level. Coach Rob is a caring, supportive and knowledgeable, coach who goes beyond the soccer field.

Coach Rob coached my daughter for 4 years and he took her to the next level. He was positive, dedicated to her and her team. He was very encouraging and truly wanted what was best for the girls. He was tough on them when they needed it but he was always there for them when they needed him too. My daughter loved playing for him and if she had the chance she would play for him again.

Playing for Coach Podeyn was one of my greatest experiences growing up in the club soccer world. Our club soccer team ended up placing second place in nationals and winning our league both years as him as our head coach. Out of our 24 rostered team 22 of those 24 players ended up going on to play at a collegiate level because of what Podeyn taught us as players. Podeyn was always so supportive and motivating not only on the soccer field but also outside of soccer. Coach Podeyn helped me with my own recruiting process and helped get me to a competitive division 1 program which I am currently playing at today. Coach Podeyn's playing style is possessive based and likes to attack through the middle of the filed. He stresses that fitness is important in the world of soccer and now being in college for 2 years, I understand why he coached us the way that he did. A memorable story that I can remember with Podeyn was when we were in Colorado for nationals and how we would always take videos after games and he would participate in the videos and make us all laugh. The team culture that Podeyn stressed was that everyone has each others backs and no matter what and we always put the team first. After knowing Podeyn for 4+ years we still keep in touch and support each other in our accomplishments. 100% would recommend Coach Podeyn as a coach.

He is knowledgeable about the sport but his dishonest way and mental games he plays with young women is horrible. He seems to enjoy being dominant of the young players.

I would never have let my daughter play for a man who degrades young women they way he does.

Coach Podeyn came to Fresno Pacific University my RS junior year; I played under him for a total of three seasons. He brought a strong foundation to our program that was not easily accepted at first...but then we started to win, and prove that with Podeyn's knowledge/experience and our hard work, some really great things could happen. Yes, the conditioning was hard. Yes, the Dutch system was hard to learn, and yes, the mental aspect was hard. "Make the big saves," is his motto for goalkeepers. Podeyn demanded me to be the best version of myself as a player and student, but I personally thrived in that environment. I feel anyone who is not fully committed to the game will speak poorly of Podeyn because of the high expectations that he knows his players can achieve...but only if they are willing to meet him halfway and put in the work. The expectations are high, yes, but attainable and specific for each individual player. My goalkeeping skills improved dramatically under Podeyn's coaching, so much so that I was able to go on to play semi-professionally for a few years. I know that I wouldn't have been able to do that without the help and support for: soccer & academics, my own coaching career, and even my personal life. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to have played for him. I was named captain my RS senior year and was continually asked (by Podeyn) for my thoughts and feelings about the team dynamics. I never felt poorly about the way the coaching staff handled any issues specific to player performance, team performance, etc. Podeyn's passion for the game is obvious through the time and dedication he puts into each training session, game, classroom session, and everything in between. Podeyn is extremely intentional and thoughtful about what he says and does on and off the field. He created a competitive, but welcoming culture that was exactly what our program needed. I would happily play for him again any day.

I was able to work with Rob for a couple of years, and within that timeline he showed all of the characteristics as shown above. He looked out for the players, pushed them to do things that they didn't know they were capable of doing on the field. The players would all run through a wall for him, and knew what their role was within the program at any time. I can not recommend Rob enough, he will be a great addition to any staff, and will push them to be the best versions of themselves. If you look at his overall track record, both on the field and with his coaching staff and coaches he mentors, you will see nothing but success, and high level opportunities for each of them.

I had the pleasure of working with Rob Podeyn, and I must say he is an outstanding soccer coach, mentor, and educator. Rob consistently demonstrated utmost professionalism, not only with players but also with coworkers and coaches from other schools. His dedication to providing the best experience for the players is truly commendable. It was a positive and enriching experience collaborating with such a skilled and respectful individual like Rob Podeyn. On a personal note, Coach Pedeyn has been an incredible support in my journey, both professionally and personally. Always there to guide and assist me in any way possible, Rob's willingness to share his vast knowledge has been invaluable. I can only express positive sentiments about my experience with Rob Podeyn, as his generosity and guidance have made a significant impact on my personal and professional growth.

Coach Rob has been a coach, mentor for 20 years now. Coach recruited me from England and put a lot of trust in me from the moment i arrived in the USA. As a Head Coach now of a top Division 1 University in the USA, Coach Rob has actually taught me many things that i hold dearly til today and many which have shaped me to become the coach and human being I am today. In College he is probably one of the best coaches I have ever had spending more time with his players teaching tactics and actually helping his players learn the game. He was also very hard on me on college but also showed a lot of empathy at the same time. Just like any college student, i messed up at times and was brought into the office fairly and spoken to like an adult but always first asking "Is everything okay?". Not " Why did you do this?" He showed me the human element to coaching and for that i am forever grateful. Since leaving college as a player and working my way up the coaching ranks, I have leaned on him for advise and his relationship as a coach has gone further than that to now a friend. I I have 2 sons and would trust sending my 2 sons to college to play for Coach rob and learn under him. Whatever this backlash is occurring of Coach Rob, it comes from bad place with people showing ill intent and lack of human care. Todays age of young people want instant gratification to the top with little effort. Coach Rob has helped so many programs and has worked tirelessly throughout his career to help student athletes while sometimes having to sacrifice family life (As we all do as a Coach). I would put my name on Coach Rob any day of the week.

Rob is a dedicated and compassionate coach who goes above and beyond to support his players. He constantly strives to improve their skills and instill a positive mindset. It's baffling to see such unwarranted criticism directed towards him. It makes me wonder if there's a personal vendetta behind these malicious reviews. Rob's years of professionalism and dedication speak for themselves, and he deserves better than this unwarranted backlash.

I have had the opportunity to know Coach Rob for over 2 decades. HIs knowledge of the game is top notch. Everywhere Rob has gone he has been able to take the program to new heights. Rob has always taken pride in his development of players and teams. Rob has assisted in the growth of soccer in College and Club. Rob continues to challenge himself as well as his teams, to be the best version of themselves.

Rob and I have been friends and colleagues for 30 years. I have competed against his teams, I have worked with him on numerous occasions, and I have recruited his club players into my DII college program, (players who btw also hold Rob in high regard). Rob is a well-respected coach, colleague and friend and I know for sure he runs a positive, honest, and ethical soccer program. His coaching knowledge, attention to detail and work ethic are second to none, (so much so that I have trouble keeping up with him). He works tirelessly to enhance his program for the benefit and experience of his players because he genuinely cares about his student athlete’s well-being. Rob has a strong moral compass and always maintains the highest level of professional integrity. Over the years Rob and I have shared many ideas and experiences to help each other grow professionally as coaches and mentors. We both believe in the qualities of servant leadership and share a passion for helping athletes develop to the best of their abilities. Rob strives to assist his athletes in reaching their goals beyond just soccer. I have certainly learned a lot from Rob about coaching strategies, program management and team building. I am proud to call him friend and colleague and I would highly recommend.

I have known Coach Podeyn for over 21 years. I have both played for and coached along side him. Our relationship started as recruit and coach which over many years grew into friendship. I know Robert as a caring, driven, committed family oriented man on and off the field. The human being always came first and he would do anything within his power to create a fulfilling experience in each and every players journey. The wins and loses aside, I wouldn't be where I am today without his mentoring and values that I hold close to my heart and use in my own coaching career to this very day. The negative comments do not reflect this mans character in any way whatsoever. He has been in the game for many years and has positively impacted 100's of peoples lives. I have nothing but respect for this man.

Creates a culture of division and distrust amongst players. Narcissist, manipulator, liar. That’s all you need to know about this person.

When Coach, coached my daughter I seen a huge improvement in technique and knowledge on the game. From other coaches who she had in the past hadn’t bother to teach her. He is a great coach which my daughter had an honor to have been coached by

Coach Podeyn is a very knowledgeable and respected coach by everyone that I know played for him and their parents. I first met Podeyn when I was an aspiring competitive coach. I had many years experience but that was only at the recreational level. Plus a few years at the middle school varsity coaching. He could have taken a coach with more certifications or competitive experience as his assistant but he decided to give me a chance when no one else would have. For that I will be for ever grateful. Despite being so far behind his expertise and knowledge, he was always patient and ready to help me grow as a coach. He knew that whatever he could help me with, would ultimately translate into many students success in the future, or maybe he just wanted he help me so that I would screw those kids up with bad coaching hahaha. But in all seriousness, of those years that I spent assisting him with a couple youth competitive teams he was coaching in addition to his college team (with great success on all three at the same time might I add) I learned a lot from him, and specially, I learned a lot about him and the way he cares about his players/students. Because that is the way he would always treat them all, not only as players, but as individuals and students aspiring to become collegian players. This is not a one size fits all kind of situation when you are in charged of 40+ students involved in competitive sports at the same time. He would always manage to run an organized, successful training session and still have time to talk to the players and address their needs both soccer related and academically to help them get to where they wanted to be post high school, collegiate soccer related or not. He is a caring coach in every aspect of life of his student players. He is not just your average coach that only thinks about the game and the wins. I do not remember ever hearing any negative comments from either parents or players. Plus I think that every player always enjoyed his little life stories, that were not always short and player knew were not always true haha, but always fun to listen to and always had an important message at the end. That, would get the players pumped and ready to play, either by motivating and getting them to believe in them selfs or just getting a lough out of them to release that pressure and nervously thought players get sometimes before an important match. Great tactic I always thought. Overall, I would definitely recommend him to anyone and everyone. Again, if he showed me anything is that if you believe in someones ability to make better players, better students and a better person, you should advocate for that individual and give them the chance to help as many student players as much as I know he will. It would be disappointing not to give those players a chance to learn from a person like Robert Podeyn.

Podeyn was my coach 3 out of 4 years at SBU. He was a great coach on and off the field. Him and his wife treated our whole team like his own children. He turned a losing culture into a nationally ranked team. He was an extremely tough but fair coach that really helped shape my work ethic for my future career. I’d go back and play for coach podeyn all over again if I had the chance.

If you enjoy eating gas station food before games, a coach not caring about you or your health at all, or someone who does not understand how to coach different players outside of his cookie cutter mold then Rob is the guy for you. With him as my coach I experienced the most mentally and physically draining time of my life, I do not recommend anyone to go through what my teammates and I did.