Ackerman was an assistant on last year's team.
Sean Ackerman has been named the new Durango boys high school soccer coach. Mr. Ackerman has experience coaching soccer from age 9 through college. (Courtesy of Sean Ackerman)
Durango High School has announced Sean Ackerman as the new boys soccer coach. Ackerman replaces Danny Suits, who coached the Demons the past two seasons.
“This is an exciting opportunity,” Ackerman said. “I have been looking forward to this position for a few years now and have worked with just about every kid in this program overall, whether it be through the high school itself or through clubs over the past few years. I am excited to be able to coach them all. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Ackerman, a former player and 2014 graduate of Durango High School, has extensive coaching experience from the collegiate level to the 9-and-under division. He has coached club soccer at Rio Rapids in Fort Collins and Durango.
Shawn Ackerman played high school soccer in Durango and graduated from Durango High School in 2014. (Durango Herald file photo)
“Just listening to him talk about the game, he not only talked about playing the game the right way and the process, but also the values that football gave him,” Durango High School Athletic Director Ryan Knorr said. It's clear how much we value it and want to continue to do so.”
Noah said he is excited to be able to bring back alumni like Ackerman, who have lived their lives in the shoes of students.
Ackerman said his philosophy revolves around a high work ethic and expects his players to outperform their opponents. On the field, Ackermann likes his team to control possession and build possession from the back. Ackerman wants his team to dictate the tempo of the game, and if the Demons lose the ball, he wants them to press and get it back quickly.
“The expectation is to win the league,” Ackerman said. “That's not a goal. It's something a program should do every year. From there, you want to do well in the playoffs. Every year, the idea is to aim for a state championship. We want to make it to the playoffs and say, 'Oh, we're going to make the playoffs. We're not just here to say, 'We've made it into the world.' We are going to win the coveted state championship. ”
Summer classes begin in June, and Ackerman said the main focus is building friendships. He wants to work on his fitness, and Ackerman wants freshmen to get acquainted with the program. Ackerman hopes to create a community from upperclassmen to freshmen. Tryouts begin the second week of August.
bkelly@durangoherald.com
