SimpleCoach D3 Soccer YouTube Channel

[stlawus]

If you think about it, SC really is the only D3 media out there right now.  Looks like the pandemic hit D3soccer.com pretty hard, and that was the only curated media we had before.   I'm definitely very grateful for the channel, hearing about all the other programs and coaches in long form interviews is the optimal type of D3 soccer content from my point of view.   

[Kuiper]

Ok, so I am continually amazed at how far this channel has come.  Considering I really have no idea what I am doing, just whatever it is, I am enjoying it immensely.  If it is helping to raise the profile of Division III, great.  If not, well, you should see the collection of D3 hats I have collected.  May have to be an episode of its own....

Anyhow, as of writing this, I have 547 subscribers.  Seriously??  Well, once you crack 500, YouTube turns on a cool feature ....  The Community Tab!!! Totally geeking out over it. 

As as always the case with you all here on the boards ... thanks immensely for the ideas, support, insights, and banter.

SC.

Before the season starts, I thought it was time to take a moment to recognize just how much content SimpleCoach has produced this offseason and pre-season.  I took a look at his Youtube page (https://www.youtube.com/c/AllThingsDivisionIIISoccerwithSimpleCoach/videos) and between his SimpleCoach to Coach interviews, Quick Shots (on specific topics discussed in a past interview) and Field of Dreams segments, he has pretty much averaged at least one video a day, if not more.  I've got to imagine he has given up free time/vacation time/family time etc for this passion project.  Each of the SimpleCoach to Coach interviews are at least an hour or more, which doesn't include the pre-interview conversation (although he sometimes adds that in), and the Field of Dreams videos have pretty substantial post-production edits and enhancements with music, photos, etc and it probably takes at least an hour plus to film them just from walking to the campus, plus the time spent driving to places that have to be far less "nearby" or "on the way" to or from some place he is going to anyway than he suggests.  And this doesn't even count his in-season work writing up games etc for this board.  Not only is this content that is interesting to D3 fans on this board, but the YouTube channel's content is useful for coaches (I bet many are taking notes), players, recruits, and their parents.  It definitely fills in a gap in the social media and mainstream universe.  I don't think it's overstating things to suggest that he has single handedly raised the profile of D3 men's (and women's) soccer in this country, even if it's still a pretty small following outside of alumni and players.  I suspect that there are many D1 (and D2/NAIA etc) coaches who would kill to get this kind of attention, but don't because there isn't really anyone else out there doing what he is doing and doing it this well.

So, at least from me, I wanted to say thanks.  I hope you keep it up.

@Kuiper.  Let me just say that this post made my eyes start to sweat.  Appreciate the kind words, and I guess that whatever work I put into this game we love is noticed.  Not that I want to be prideful, but I sometimes look at the channel (which I started November of 2021) and can't even believe it myself.  I will say it still feels like "fun" and am enjoying it immensely.  Think it is because it lets me explore my own goofy ideas about the game and let my mind contemplate all those "what if's" rattling around between the ears.  I will be exploring one of those this upcoming week with a new "series" that I hope will be interesting.  Stay tuned.

Finally, not to get too personal about this.  But if there is anyone out there who is thinking about how I have the time to do this, be a Soccer Dad and husband, hold a successful full time job, a handyman around the house, and countless other roles I pick up here and there ... getting sober just under 4 years ago was the greatest thing I have done in my life.

Oh and Jackie.  Without the Chief Dog Officer watching my six, this would have stopped after the first video...

Thanks again.  You have definitely made my day today.

SC

THAT. IS. AWESOME.  Congratulations!!  Huge accomplishment and a life changer in so many ways.  Glad D3 soccer (and subscribers like me) have been one of the beneficiaries of this, but I'm sure we're far from the only ones.  Best of luck to you in continuing this journey and thanks again for providing us with such great content.

[Ejay]

Good stuff SC - congrats!

BTW - where's your son headed? Will we be the beneficiary of any inside intel on a particular team/league?

[SimpleCoach]

Good stuff SC - congrats!

BTW - where's your son headed? Will we be the beneficiary of any inside intel on a particular team/league?

Thanks @Ejay.  No idea where SimplePlayer#2 will end up, but he does have options.  Has this channel helped him, no, can't say that has been the case, largely because I try very hard to not be an influence.  I want him to sink or swim on his own merits.  That being said, I have to believe that there has been something that has played a part in whatever he.. or coaches are thinking about.  Think that is just human nature.

Will say, I have steered him clear of schools where I didn't think the coach is legit.  Like the two that I will not interview... as an example.

Ultimately SP#2 will make up his own mind, and hoping a coach will take him.  But if not, he is a smart kid and will find his way.  Of that I am certain.

Thanks as always @Ejay!

SC

[D3Dad]

I also wanted to echo all the praise for Simple Coach , I am new to the D3 soccer world with a son entering as a freshman  in the NCAC this year , learning a lot and listened to almost all episodes .  Looking forward to what you do in season this year

Good luck to your son with the recruiting process  .

[Hopkins92]

I have kind of checked out the last couple of months, but thankfully I still see SC videos popping up in my YouTube feed.

One thing to explore, if you aren't too turned off by the idea, is to look into ways you can monetize the channel... Specifically I now some of the USMNT channels I follow allow for "donations" to come in during live chats.

Not sure how you'd do a live chat solo... I mean, it's done all the time on Twitch and even on YouTube, but you'd have to think about an engaging topic that would draw a decent crowd.

Anyways, keep up the great work and congrats on the sobriety!

[SimpleCoach]

@Hopkins92.  You will be interested in the next 2022 Preview.  Great conversation with Coach Appleby.

SC.

[VAFury]

Here to 4th, 5th or 6th the praise for this. I think it scratches an itch for coverage of D3 soccer that, while it may be a very narrow niche, clearly has a passionate following.

Especially appreciate that SC has made the effort to include the women's side in some of his work as that is where my entry point is and the journey begins in a little over a week!

[Shamrock]

Any chance this could be turned into a podcast?

[SimpleCoach]

Any chance this could be turned into a podcast?

Thanks @Martindale!  Appreciate the question.

Am exploring putting the SimpleCoach to Coach interviews on Spotify.  Trying to figure out the most efficient way of doing that.  Don't want it to take too much time to do, but think I have the platform identified.  Just want to test it to see if it makes sense.  Ultimately, this channel, if it keeps growing... and I keep doing it ... will have three components.  The YouTube page, a Podcast, and an weekly email distribution.... and to cover expense, probably a Patreon page and/or monetizing the YouTube channel.  Not to make a fortune, but some of the technology is not cheap.  As a hobby, I am ok covering the basics, but if I go further with this, then think I will need to invest a some stuff.

Not necessarily in a rush since I am just sorting this thing out.  But it's definately next up on the expansion of my global multimedia empire. 

Short answer is yes.

SC

[VAFury]

Any chance this could be turned into a podcast?

Thanks @Martindale!  Appreciate the question.

Am exploring putting the SimpleCoach to Coach interviews on Spotify.  Trying to figure out the most efficient way of doing that.  Don't want it to take too much time to do, but think I have the platform identified.  Just want to test it to see if it makes sense.  Ultimately, this channel, if it keeps growing... and I keep doing it ... will have three components.  The YouTube page, a Podcast, and an weekly email distribution.... and to cover expense, probably a Patreon page and/or monetizing the YouTube channel.  Not to make a fortune, but some of the technology is not cheap.  As a hobby, I am ok covering the basics, but if I go further with this, then think I will need to invest a some stuff.

Not necessarily in a rush since I am just sorting this thing out.  But it's definately next up on the expansion of my global multimedia empire. 

Short answer is yes.

SC

I think there already is/was an SCTV, so probably have to get more creative with the name of your global network...

[SimpleCoach]

I think there already is/was an SCTV, so probably have to get more creative with the name of your global network...
[/quote]

Mmm.  Creative.  How about SCTV2?

[Shamrock]

Good to hear! 

I prefer pods.  They're more mobile than YouTube videos.

Thanks for all of your work on this project!

[Hopkins92]

I, too, am really big on Podcasts and would love to have the YouTube content ported over, at a minimum.

Will absolutely support once you've opened up whatever platform you choose to allow that to happen.

[EnmoreCat]

Rupert Murdoch, line 1