Shelby boys soccer coach Damian Gonzalez has stepped down after two seasons at the helm to pursue an opportunity to coach and earn a master’s degree at the University of Jamestown in North Dakota. He announced his decision on the team’s Facebook page in early February.
Gonzalez has been pursuing U.S. Soccer Federation coaching licenses since beginning his career, pursuing his ultimate goal of coaching at the highest levels. After registering for the class that would earn him his Class C license this spring - which would permit him to coach collegiately - Gonzalez sent out some feelers to college programs who might be interested in a graduate assistant. To his surprise, Jamestown replied.
“I’d be lying if I said I was expecting anyone to call me back,” Gonzalez said. “Up until a week (before my announcement) I was fully prepared to direct the rec soccer program this spring and lead our Shelby boys soccer team in my third season.”
Instead, the Jimmies, who are becoming an NCAA Division II program this fall, made an offer Gonzalez couldn’t turn down - to be a graduate assistant coach for the women’s program and to train keepers for both the men’s and women’s teams, while earning his master’s degree at no cost. The offer also included being a part of the recruiting process, as well as assisting with local high school teams and rec clubs near Jamestown.
For a longtime keeper - Gonzalez starred at Hart for four seasons and said he’s long lamented not pursuing college playing opportunities, helping stoke his desire to coach - it was a perfect opportunity.
“This whole winter, and honestly the last two years, I’ve been hustling getting to practices, games, fundraisers, open gyms, seeking sponsorships, running camps, reffing games (and more),” Gonzalez said. “So when Jamestown called me, offering me (this) position, it kind of put all of the hard work we’ve done here at Shelby into perspective. It was a surreal moment.”
In addition to coaching the Tigers and directing the rec club, Gonzalez also recently launched a youth futsal team, Oceana Drift FC, that competed in a four-team league in Muskegon this winter. (Futsal is an indoor, 5-on-5 variant of soccer that’s played on indoor courts.)
Gonzalez is looking forward to this chance for several reasons, not least because it affords him the ability to focus on his coaching full-time. He had a day job these past couple of years to pay the bills, leaving limited time for his other ventures in coaching. He also shared that getting to help boost the soccer scene in an area where it’s not yet as developed as it is here in West Michigan was an enticing opportunity.
“This is an incredible opportunity for me to gain college coaching experience, as well as a chance to learn from coaches with more experience and knowledge than I have to offer,” Gonzalez said. “I’m also very excited to see a different part of the country than I am used to, while being able to do what I love and earn a master’s degree at the same time. I hope that after this I am able to either attain another graduate assistant job at a much larger university, or get a job as an assistant coach for a university or professional club.”
Every big move is bittersweet, though, and Gonzalez said he will miss being a part of what he was building in Shelby.
“As much as I am excited, I’m also really sad to leave behind everything I’ve been working for with Shelby and Oceana County soccer,” Gonzalez said. “What I will miss most about working with Shelby Tigers soccer will be the kids. Everything I’ve done the last two years has been for them. Look out for Shelby in the next six years, there is a lot of talent coming through here.”
