The decision to become a coach is usually not a tough one. It is usually someone that has a passion for the sport and also wants to help teach the sport to the next generation. Thomas Sedgwick is the head coach of the Piedmont boys soccer team and he says that his decision to get into coaching was an easy one.

“I was blessed to play soccer for five years in college and didn’t want to leave the game,” he stated. “So instead of hurting my body anymore, I decided to swap over to the mental side of the game and try my hand at coaching.

Thomas is in his second year at Piedmont. He says that he enjoys most aspects of coaching but there are a couple that are his favorite.

“One of the things I love about coaching is the enjoyment of taking a team of great individual players and people and turning them into a team,” Sedgwick said. “Secondly, I’m competitive by nature so the enjoyment of winning is definitely up there as well.”

While only leading the program for a couple of seasons, Sedgwick has had some memorable moments with his team.

“I would have to say that some of the highlights of my coaching career have been making it to the quarterfinals in my first season as head coach,” he recalled. “Also, winning a pre-season tournament. Mostly just seeing the lads grow up as players and men on and off the field.”

As a player and as a coach, there have been numerous people that had an influence on Thomas, both as a player and as a person.

“Locally, I would say Adam Kay has been the most influential coach for me,” Thomas said. “Overall, I think it is Pep Guardiola, who is coaching Manchester City in England. He has transformed the game and is someone who I try to learn from.”