Episode 376: John Murphy | Keeping Coaching Simple, Player-Centred Practice & Lessons From a Global Career

In this episode, Coach Yas is joined by John Murphy, a highly experienced coach and educator whose career spans MLS, US Soccer, and the UEFA pathway. With roots in both the US and UK, John brings a unique dual-perspective shaped by decades in professional environments, university soccer, and coach education.

This conversation explores the art of keeping coaching simple, designing meaningful player-centred sessions, and understanding what truly matters in long-term player and coach development. John’s journey offers powerful insight into the realities of elite sport, the importance of psychological safety, and how coaches can stay grounded in a profession full of complexity.

💡 Key Talking Points

• John’s journey from Boston to Scotland to MLS — and into coach education with US Soccer.
• Navigating coaching across elite, university, and youth environments.
• Why simplicity is a superpower in coaching: lessons from Kenny Dalglish, Kevin Keegan, and other top influences.
• Designing a weekly rhythm: when sessions should be player-led vs coach-led.
• The “sandwich” approach to session flow — blending player-centred and coach-centred methods.
• Understanding the two tracks of sport: elite performance vs participation, and why both matter.
• Creating psychological safety and high-energy training environments.
• The role of curiosity, humility, and lifelong learning in coach development.
• How modern coaches can use readily available resources to grow in small, consistent steps.

🧠 “The best coaches I’ve learned from keep it very simple.” – John Murphy

📣 Whether you’re working in grassroots, academies, elite performance, or coach education, this episode will help you rethink how you design sessions, engage players, and build your own coaching identity.

👉 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

💬 Join the conversation — what does ‘keeping coaching simple’ mean in your environment?

#CoachDevelopment #FootballCoaching #CoachEducation #PlayerCentred #CoachingSimplicity #CoachingMindset #TheCoachesNetwork

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