The SF Seals have been coaching youth players to achieve their highest potential for over 30 years. Coaches work to support the individual needs of each player as well as developing the team as a whole.

Training is broken down into three areas

1. Skills growth
2. Game strategy and tactics
3. Overall team development

All training is age appropriate and follows the current U.S. Soccer Development Academy guidelines.

It is the belief of the SF Seals organization that successful players are developed and trained in a strong, supportive environment and all coaching (practice and game day) reflect this approach.

SF Seals provides ongoing professional development plan for Seals coaches.  If you are interested in coaching for SF Seals, please contact our DOC Shani Simpson.

Coach Shani leads the SF Seals coaching program and works along side each individual team coach to insure that they are consistently supporting the growth of players and teams. Shani holds U.S. Soccer Federation's National "A" Coaching License.

Coach Shani has worked with dozens of players who have gone on to play at Professional and College teams as well as several National teams.

His playing highlights include:
- California Gold 2nd Division Professional 2004
- SF Seals 2nd and 3rd Division Professional Teams 1996-2000
- Stints with Chicago Fire, LA Galaxi and San Jose Earthquakes in the MLS

Shani grew up in San Francisco attending the University of San Francisco (with a BA in English) and Sonoma State.  Shani's kids Barasa and Chemnui are 2nd generation Seals players.

Coach Blago was born and grew up playing soccer in Europe.  He was a Bulgarian U16/17 National Team player and went onto play professional soccer for 8 years.   He graduated from Plovdiv University "Paisii Hilendarski".  Coach Blago holds a NSCAA Advanced National coaching diploma and the USSF National A License.

Coach Blago has been coaching with the Seals for more than 10 years.  Coach Blago is married to his lovely wife Louiza and has a young daughter Lizabelle who will have to decide between USWNT and Bulgaria WNT when she gets older.

Coach Mo grew up playing soccer in Senegal and Morocco.  Coach Mo came to USA to purse a professional soccer career, trying out with Seattle Sounders and playing with Club Marin.  Coach Mo turned to coaching soccer to continue following his passion for the beautiful game.  He has coached at Larmorinda United, Fremont High School and for Project Vega.  He has been coaching with the Seals for the past several years.  Coach Mo holds the USSF National B license.

Coach Mo currently coaches Seals 2005, 2007 and 2009 Boys travel teams.

Coach Juan joins SF Seals to lead our U19 boys competitive teams.  Coach Juan has been a teacher and Varsity Head Coach at Lowell HS, a perennial SF powerhouse soccer program, for more than 12 years.  Coach Juan has been coaching at various levels for more than 20 years.  Coach Juan grew up playing soccer in the Bay Area and holds a number of coaching certificates .

Coach Maelig recently joined Seals and is currently coaching our 2014 competitive boys teams.  Maelig grew up playing soccer in Rennes & Nantes, France and began his coaching career in France in 1999.  After arriving in SF, Maelig'd passion for coaching brought him back on the pitch and he has been teaching the beautiful game again since 2018.  Coach Maelig most recently coached with SF Glens.

Coach Maelig holds USSF's National C license.

Coach Rami joins Seals after coaching for several SF area soccer clubs over the past 5 years.  Coach Rami also coaches Men's Varsity at Lincoln HS.  Coach Rami played professionally and coached in Italy prior to coming to SF.  He is fluent in English, Arabic and Italian. 

Coach Rami holds coach licenses from USSF and Italy.

Coach Leo joins us after playing and coaching professionally in Jordan, UAE, Spain and Italy.  Coach Leo was the goalkeeper for several professional clubs including Al Faisaly, Al Yarmouk and Vaulx En Velin clubs and was the goalkeeper for U21 Jordan National team.  He has coached goalkeepers at Inter Milan, Amman FC and Nashama Alordan Academies in Jordan.

Coach Leo holds USSF's Grassroots License.

Coach Zak re-joins the Seals coaching team after most recently coaching as the Assistant Coach of CSU Monterey Bay's men's team.  He has been coaching teams of all ages and competitive levels ranging from recreational micro teams to intercollegiate varsity level for the past 10 years.  Coach Zak has been the assistant coach of San Jose Earthquakes' U14 boys pre-academy first and second teams as well as San Jose State Men's Varsity team.  He coaches clinics and camps for Liverpool Football Club's International American Academy (2015-2016) and Stanford University Men's Soccer Camps since 2014. 

Coach Zak holds the NSCAA National Level Diploma, USSF E License, Fiorentina NorCal Level 1 Certification, and is also NCAA Recruiting Test Certified.  He also holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication Studies from San Jose State University.

Unfortunately, Coach Zak is a Tottenham supporter.

Coach JB returned to SF after completing his undergraduate studies at Tulane University.  JB played on the Seals 1997/98B team under Coach Shani for over 10 years and played 4 years of Varsity soccer at International HS.

Coach JB started as a junior coach at Seals camps and have been coaching young soccer players for more than 5 years.  JB holds USSF's National D License.

Coach Amir, having played for Coach Shani with the 1997/98B team, is excited to coach young SF players to play the beautiful game of soccer.  Coach Amir graduated from International HS and is fluent English, French and Arabic.  Amir holds the USSF's National D License.  

Coach Achraf recently joins Seals having coached for several years around SF Bay Area.  Coach Achraf grew up playing soccer in Morocco, signing his first professional contract at age 14 in Casablanca. He played for the Moroccan U14-U16 National Team.

Coach  Achraf holds the USSF National D License.

Coach Juan is a graduate of Seals competitive soccer program.  As one of key players on Coach Blago's 99B team, Juan had some memorable moments including a highlight reel bicycle kick followed by a red card in a State Cup Quarter Final match.  Juan was the MVP and led Balboa HS varsity team to SF Championship game his senior year.

Juan has been coaching for several years as a Seals coach including as the head coach of 2009B travel team and as the assistant coach of 2005G travel team that recently won NorCal Gold division.  Juan also assisted with Urban HS JV boys team.  Juan holds US Soccer's National D Coaching License.

Juan supports Real Madrid and Liverpool but his real sporting ability may lie in bowling - he once rolled a 263.  When not playing soccer, bowling or at school, Juan likes to spend time with his 2 dogs, a chihuahua and a Lab/Pitbull mix.  Coach Juan holds a degree in Computer Science from the University of San Francisco.

Coach Jared joins Seals after coaching for a couple of other SF clubs since 2016.  Jared is a former Seals player, having played under Coach Shani along with several other current Seals coaches.

Coach Jared holds USSF National D License

Coach Gabe played on the Seals 1999B Team with Coach Blago as a youth player.  He played 4 years of Varsity soccer for Drew HS making All-League every year and was named league MVP twice.  He currently plays Men's Soccer for University of Puget Sound while pursuing a degree in Business Management.

Coach Gabe holds the US Soccer's Grassroots license.

Coach Nestor grew up playing soccer in SF and played under Coach Shani and the Seals 2002B team.  He is currently playing on City College of SF's Varsity Men's soccer team.   Coach Nestor holds US Soccer's Grassroots License.

Coach Jacob is a graduate of the Seals program, having played under Coach Shani.  Jacob currently plays for San Mateo College varsity men's soccer team.  

Jacob holds the US Soccer's Grassroots License

Coach Ro played with the Seals 1999B team.  He holds USSF Grassroots License.

Coach Lawrence joins the Seals coaching team after playing on Shani's 2004B NorCal NPL Champion team.  He is currently playing on CCSF Men's Varsity team.

Lawrence holds US Soccer's Grassroots coaching license.

Coach Marco has been coaching at Seals summer camps and Micro Academy for several years.  Marco played under Coach Shani on the Seals 2004B boys that reached National Championship as NorCal's NPL Champion as well as the St. Ignatius HS Men's Varsity team.

Marco holds USSF Grassroots License.

Coach Barasa grew up playing and assisting his father Shani Simpson.  Barasa has been coaching at camps and assisting with teams for the past several years.  He was the captain of  the Seals 2004B boys that reached National Championship as NorCal's NPL Champion.

Barasa holds USSF Grassroots License.

Coach Edwin joins Seals coaching team after coaching at Seals summer camps.  He is an active referee and grew up playing in a soccer loving family.

Coach Edwin holds a USSF Grassroots License.

Coach Rodrigo grew up playing soccer and played for Seals and Lowell HS.  Rodrigo joins the Seals after coaching at Seals summer camp.

Rodrigo holds a USSF Grassroots License

Coach Jesus is the long time head assistant coach of CCSF men's soccer team, a powerhouse junior college program.  Coach Jesus has helped CCSF reach a playoff birth every year since 2006 including 4 Elite Eight runs and 3 Final Four appearances.  Coach Jesus has developed and transferred numerous student-athletes to Division 1 and 2 universities including UC Berkeley, USF, San Jose St and many more.  He also head coached UPSL team AFC Hearts during the 2017 and 2018 seasons and made the playoffs both years.

Coach Jesus grew up in Oakland playing with the local club Bay Oaks.  He also played at CCSF for 2 years.  He holds US Soccer's Grassroots and F Licenses as well as USSF Coaches National and Advanced National Goalkeeper License.  Coach Jesus received his Bachelor's in Athletic Training from Cal State East Bay and a Master's in Sport Coaching from US Sports Academy. 

When not playing soccer for local SFSFL club teams, Coach Jesus likes to surf and mountain bike.

Coach Megan joins the Seals coaching staff after playing competitive soccer for more than 15 years.  Coach Megan is currently playing for CCSF Women's team.  She also played under Coach Shani with the 2001G Seals team.

Coach Megan is the assistant coach of Seals's 2008, 2009 and 2005 girls competitive travel teams.

Coach Megan holds the US Soccer's Grassroots license.

Coach Benito is another graduate of the Seals competitive soccer program, having played as a youth player under Coach Shani.  Coach Benito currently plays Men's Varsity Soccer for City College of SF.  He has been coaching for Seals for over a year and holds US Soccer's Grassroots license.

Coach Erica grew up in Connecticut playing at the Club and State ODP team level and has played competitive soccer for over 15 years. She played 4 years of NCAA Division 1 soccer and was the starting goalkeeper for 3 years at the University of New Hampshire, where she was named to the America East All Rookie Team in 2010, America East All-Academic team in 2012, and was a CoSIDA All-Academic All America selection in 2012. She has played in the WPSL for the New England Mutiny and the San Francisco Nighthawks, where she is currently still playing. She was named the West Region Pac North Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2019.

She holds US Soccer's Grassroots soccer license and is the Seals Goalkeeper Coach.

Coach Jeremy is originally from Buffalo, New York where he played club and collegiate soccer.  He was a Division III Regional All-American and played in the NCAA Division III National Tournament twice.  His college soccer career ended in the second round of the NCAA tournament after the longest penalty shootout in NCAA history (score 17-16, 40 total shooters).  After school, he played two years of semi-professional soccer in the NPSL, while working at camps and coaching youth soccer, prior to going to law school. 

In addition to coaching with the Seals, Jeremy plays with the Olympic Club Men's Soccer Team and works as an attorney for a Silicon Valley tech company. Jeremy holds USSF Class D License.

Coach Frankie grew up playing competitive soccer in San Francisco while training under DOC Shani Simpson.  He went onto play D2 soccer at University of Hawaii for 1 year and D1 soccer at San Jose St, lettering for 3 years.  Coach Frankie tried out for Bundesliga's Wierder Bremen and Liga MX's Club Tijuana while representing and scoring several goals for American Samoa's National Team.

Coach Frankie holds the new USSF's Grassroots license and has been coaching for 7 years for various youth teams U12 to U23.    He graduated from San Jose St with a degree in Communications and follows his favorite team Manchester City when not kicking the ball around in the SF men's league.

Coach Alonzo is a "graduate" of Seals competitive soccer program.  He played for Coach Shani and was a member of the Seals 95 team that reached the Final Four of Donasti Cup in San Sebastian, Spain.  He played 4 years of high school varsity soccer, making All-City all 4 years, and played college soccer for Skyline College for 2 years.

Coach Alonzo has been coaching for 7 years with Seals and was recently an assistant coach at Barcelona Academy in San Francisco in summer of 2019.  He holds USSF's Grassroots Coaching License.

Coach Alonzo is completing his Communications degree at San Francisco State University when he is not coaching soccer, boxing or working out at a gym.  He supports Real Madrid and Arsenal professional teams.

Coach Juju has played competitive soccer, basketball and volleyball for her entire youth sports career for both school and clubs earning multiple All-League and team MVP honors across all three sports.  Blessed with a high soccer IQ (most likely from her father), Coach Juju pulled the strings in the middle of the field for Seals 00G/01G team - setting up teammates with visionary passes.  

Coach Juju is the head coach of a microsoccer and the 2nd Gr girls teams as well as assisting with older competitive travel teams for Seals.

Juju holds the US Soccer's Grassroots license and attends Georgetown University.

Tianji has been balancing competitive soccer with international fencing for more than 10 years.  "Twinkletoes Tianji" is the most creative attacker for Seals 00/01G team with more moves than Cristiano Ronaldo. 

Tianji is hanging up her competitive soccer cleats to fence for the Australian National Team and the University of Notre Dame.

Tianji holds the US Soccer's Grassroots License.

Jade was the Co-Captain of Seals 00/01G team and International HS Women's Varsity team.  "Jade The Destroyer" has been been commanding the center of Seals defenses and breaking up opponents' attacks throughout her youth soccer career.  Jade also chips in on offense with highlight reel worthy 35 yard free kick goals.

Jade is currently attending UCLA and holds US Soccer's Grassroots license.

Camila played on the Seals 2001G team under Coach Shani.  She plays varsity soccer for Carnegie Mellon University.

Joe Enochs from Petaluma started playing with the Seals' youth team (then called "SFUSC") at the age of 15. He rapidly became a vital member of our youth and senior teams playing mostly as an outside right back. Most notably Joe played in the McGuire Cup, the U19 National Championship final, in 1990. Joe played a couple years for the senior team from 1991-1993 and was a member of the All Blacks team (the precursor to the Seals) who won the Pacfic Division Championship of the USISL (now called the USL).
In 2011 Joe became the first American born coach to ever coach at the highest level of European Professional Football when he was promoted to the Head Coach position of Osnabruck after the firing of his predecessor. After that Joe studied for the highest level of coaching license in Europe, the UEFA Pro License, the most competitive coaching award in soccer and was recently awarded the UEFA License.
Recently Joe was named the Sports Director / Head Coach of Osnabruck VFL by the managing director of the club who stated the following at Joe's appointment:
"Enochs has given the team a pulse"
"We wanted to give an impulse to the team, and Joe Enochs has just done," said VfL manager Jürgen Wehlend. "When we in 2013 personally met, he had just begun training to become football coach and since then also personally made a huge step. I appreciate his professional and social skills. He identifies 100 percent with the club and is responsible for many of our followers an important role model. "
The Seals family congratulates Joe Enochs for his many accomplishments and most notably his appointment as Head Coach of Osnabruck.

Recent Seals alumni and current Seals players serve as coaches or camp counselors to younger Seals players and campers.  All Seals coaches and counselors complete the necessary safety training and background screening (for over 18 staff) and are US Club soccer licensed staff coaches.

Alex is the goalkeeper for Seals 2004B team and SF University HS's Varsity team. 

Josefine plays for Seals 05G team and is the captain of Lowell HS Varsity Women's team that recently won the city championship.  Josefine holds US Soccer's Grassroots coaching license.

Wisdom plays on the Seals 2004B team and will play for the D1 program Cal Bears this Fall.  Wisdom holds US Soccer's Grassroots coaching license.

Ethan is a goalkeeper for Seals 04 and 05B teams as well as Lowell HS Varsity team. Ethan holds US Soccer's Grassroots coaching license.

Zach plays on the Seals 2005B team and attends Sacred Heart HS.

Lily plays on Seals 2005G team and the International HS Women's Varsity team.  Lily holds US Soccer's Online Grassroots coaching license.

Gillian plays on the Seals 2006 and Washington HS Women's Varsity teams.  Gillian holds US Soccer's Online Grassroots coaching license.

Pablo plays on the Seals 2004B and International HS Men's Varsity team.

Thomas plays on Seals 2004B and Lick-Wilmerding HS's Men's Varsity team.

Logan plays on the Seals 2004B team and is the captain of Galileo HS's Men's Varsity team.

Jude plays on the Seals 2004 Boys and Drew HS's Men's Varsity team.

Kiya plays on the Seals 2005G team and goes to Lowell HS.

Denys currently plays on the Seals 2007 boys team and used to play for the Ukrainian junior national team.

Ethan currently plays for Seals 2007B team and International High School.