Head Coach-Chinese Taipei / USSF Coaching Staff / Technical Director for Bahamas FA & Seattle Sounders

In 2005, Don Maples was one of the candidates taking his USSF "C" license. I found Mr. Maples extremely passionate with immense talent in teaching the game. Don always asked questions, sought feedback to improve his knowledge and how he presented materials. Coach Maples was always professional, created great relationships with myself and other coaching candidates, and was team player in all aspects. Don completely deserved the "C" license he earned and I think he will make a large impact in teaching the game. I wish him all the success in the future.

-Gary White (Head Coach - Chinese Taipei / USSF Coaching Staff / Technical Director for Bahamas FA & Seattle Sounders

Professional Coach / USSF & United Soccer Coaches Instructor / 3-Time Coach of the Year

"Don and I came to know one another when I hired him as a staff coach in 2003 with the Knoxville Football Club. Later he was promoted to Director of Goalkeeping as well as coaching two teams in the club. Over the years as a colleague and friend, I have seen Don work what I would consider soccer miracles in player/team development. The ability to see details, patterns and create a quality, challenging environment is unique to our profession. This is one of the few times I can quite confidently say the student has now become a better goalkeeper coach than the teacher. I fully endorse Don as one of the best goalkeeper instructors in the United States at any level...youth, collegiate and professionally. His understanding of the position of goalkeeper, the expectations he sets and the competitive environments he trains players in takes his training and players to another level."

-Gary Hindley (Three time professional Coach of the Year '85, '91, '98; USSf & NSCAA Coach Instructor; Owner All Pro Soccer)

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Executive Director of Tennessee State Soccer

"In my years of working with Don, I feel Don has developed into a top-quality soccer coach, possessing all the tools to be great, prepared to lead any program or whatever he so chooses to do within the soccer profession at the club, collegiate level or higher. He continues to educate himself now holding a USSF “B” license, National Goalkeeper License, Director of Coaching License and surrounding himself with the best coaches/contacts the sport offers, as resources to continue his knowledge and growth. Don is very much under the radar working at the club level, focused on developing confident, competent players. A tireless worker, who will devote his heart and soul into helping your entire program progress to the next level."

-Hans Hobson (TSSA Executive Director)

USSF and NSCAA Coaching Education Clinician / Director of Coaching for Titusville Soccer & Gainsville Soccer Association

"Clean Sheet Goalkeeping Academy is one of the organizations, coupled with All Pro Soccer that I am associated with and instruct each summer in the Panhandle of Florida in Panama City. Don Maples is the Director of CSGKA and he's the best youth and goalkeeping clinician I've seen in the USA. The camps that Coach Maples and Coach Hindley run are first class and the players work extremely diligently. After the weekly sessions, players come home absolutely exhausted, but with smiles on their faces, knowing they've worked their socks off and that they've learned a valuable new skill set."

-Tristan Williams (USSF and NSCAA Coaching Educator)

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Director of Callaway Youth Soccer Association

"I have known Coach Don Maples for 6 years.  In that time, I am continually impressed with his knowledge, attitude, passion and enthusiasm.  His experience as a head coach, knowledge of the sport, and his ability to mentor local coaches is a testament to his dedication of improving the skill of the player’s and team, one coach at a time. He is easily approachable to discuss training scenario options or help guide one to a well thought out, concise session, staying focused on the topic.  His contagious personality, flowing energy, and patience lend to his teaching style with new or seasoned coaches.  Starting as a young volunteer coach in a recreational league, progressing through each stage of licensing, becoming a coach educator…he relates to each level of coach and/or player and what training environments contribute to build confidence and improve their skill level.  In addition to coaching theory, he shares real-time coaching experience giving advice and pointers from making mistakes and learning from them. He is a true professional on and off the field, arriving early for his sessions, ensuring plenty of time to setup, being well organized and efficient. He is always mindful of the space requirements, and moves his exercises around the field space to prevent damage to the surfaces.  Afterwards, he doesn’t pass up an opportunity to ask for and provide feedback of a session.  You can expect candid, professional feedback with options of doing things differently, realizing there are many ways to accomplish the same goal.

As a Developmental Program, I am so blessed to have a coach of this caliber available to assist me with coaching our coaches, opening our eyes to see the bigger soccer culture around the United States."

-Brent Harshbarger (Director of  Callaway Youth Soccer Association)