John Heitzman

What is your coaching experience?

I have been coaching soccer since 2016, beginning when my son Willard first started playing. I have coached up through the U13 level, including Academy teams, primarily with McFarland Soccer Club, though I got my start with Regent while completing my Doctorate in Physical Therapy at UW–Madison.

Over the years, I have served mostly as an assistant coach, though I have also stepped into the role of head coach for a recreational team. I greatly enjoy and appreciate the sport for the way it builds teamwork, foundational athleticism, and life skills that prepare players for both a healthy lifestyle and challenges beyond the field.

What is your coaching philosophy?

As a father of five, I take great pride in investing in kids’ growth through sports. My son, whom I have coached throughout his development, recently earned a spot on the Varsity team at McFarland as a sophomore. But more than that, I am proud to have witnessed so many players grow in skill, confidence, and character over the years.