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Mat Herold
Head of Performance/Assistant Coach at Loudoun United FC at D.C. United
Professional Background
Mat Herold is a highly skilled UEFA B-Licence qualified coach with a rich background in football, combining over 15 years of experience in various football settings. His extensive knowledge spans international football, NCAA, NCJAA, academies, PDL (Professional Development League), and grassroots initiatives. Mat has demonstrated his ability to adapt his coaching methodologies across different competitive levels, cultivating a diverse range of talent.
Currently, Mat serves as the Head of Performance and Assistant Coach at Loudoun United FC within the D.C. United organization. In this role, he is responsible for optimizing player performance and implementing training regimens that promote physical and mental development. His commitment to excellence in sports coaching is evident in his mission to develop young athletes to reach their full potential.
Previously, Mat was a PhD Candidate in the Science and Medicine of Football (soccer) at the Universität des Saarlandes, supported by DFB (Deutscher Fussball-Bund), where he focused on the scientific principles underpinning athletic performance in football. This academic pursuit underlines his determination to combine practical coaching experience with theoretical understanding, ensuring he stays at the forefront of the evolving landscape of sports science.
Mat has also held significant roles within the collegiate coaching arena as the Head Soccer Coach at FC Los Angeles and as an Assistant Men's Soccer Coach at both Santa Monica College and California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona). Through these positions, he brought invaluable leadership skills and an innovative approach to training, helping athletes refine their technical skills and tactical awareness.
His earlier experiences include serving as an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach and Physical Education Teacher at Harvard-Westlake School. This role highlights his versatility and dedication to holistic athlete development.
Education and Achievements
Mat Herold's academic background is grounded in a solid foundation of kinesiology and exercise science. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science from California State University, Fresno, where he developed key insights into human physiology and movement analysis.
Following this, Mat pursued a Master’s Degree in Exercise Physiology at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona, further enriching his knowledge of sports science and enhancing his ability to apply this knowledge in a coaching context. His educational pursuits underscore a commitment to understanding the mechanics of athletic performance, particularly in football, where biomechanical efficiency can make a significant impact on success.
Mat's ongoing commitment to professional development is further demonstrated by his UEFA B-Licence qualification. This certification reflects his dedication to coaching excellence and his ambition to enhance player performance through structured training programs.
Notable Achievements
Throughout his remarkable career, Mat has been closely involved with a range of programs that have had significant impacts on athletes’ growth in the sport of football. His tenure as a coach has seen numerous athletes improve their skills, achieve personal bests, and even secure placements on competitive teams and scholarship opportunities.
As an educator, his role as a Kinesiology instructor allowed him to coach not only with a tactical and technical lens but also to foster the overall growth of his players off the pitch. Mat's contributions to Santa Monica College and Cal Poly Pomona have also played a crucial part in the development of many player careers, proving his ability to bridge the gap between academic study and practical application in sports.
Mat's involvement with the DFB as a PhD candidate also signifies a significant achievement in his career, showcasing his commitment to advancing the knowledge base of football coaching through research. This experience positions Mat uniquely as someone who not only teaches and trains, but also contributes to the academic community of sports science, further establishing his expertise within the football coaching domain.