David Hoffmann, the University of Dallas men's soccer coach since 2003, became the winningest coach for all sports in UD history with his 161st win last year, surpassing the record held by Rich Gaffney, former athletic director and baseball coach. Hoffmann also holds many other coaching records, such as highest winning percentage in a single season and most wins in a season. Under his leadership, the soccer team holds the record for 33 consecutive home games and games without a single loss from 2005 to 2008, among many other achievements.
Hoffmann’s success is measured not just by the number of wins but by the training of the human person. His coaching style is involved, and his unique personality far surpasses the office he holds.
With 164 wins as of this fall, we spoke with Hoffmann to further understand his philosophy around coaching.
Q: What is your background in athletics?
A: Growing up, I played a lot of sports: baseball, basketball, football, and track and field. After college, I even played some volleyball at a competitive level, but soccer was always the primary sport. My playing background includes state champion, state all-stars and the Olympic development program. I also had offers to go abroad and play professionally as early as 16.
Q: Where did you attend college? Did you play at the collegiate level?
A: I chose to play at the university level because I had an academic interest, which I ultimately pursued at St. Mary's in San Antonio. St. Mary's struck a better academic balance with the athletic piece. After I graduated from the university level, I was admitted to Ph.D. programs, one in molecular neurobiology and another in genetics, and I had the opportunity to go to medical school. I also still had the chance to play in Europe and Mexico.
Q: What led you to become a collegiate-level coach?
A: I essentially had an epiphany. Academically, I wasn't convinced I had the appetite to take on another four to eight years of education at that point. I had a sense of not just getting into coaching, but specifically going into university coaching because that would allow me to stay around educated, intelligent people. And simultaneously compete, albeit vicariously.
Q: What’s your philosophy for training student athletes?
A: I'm interested in the holistic development of the person. To a degree, the gravitas of the coaching position affords me a platform or a podium to speak to these kids. To me, there's a lot of synergy between being successful in life and being successful on the field.
Q: What does that look like practically?
A: For example, last Monday night, the Hoffmann kids were all at practice, so I had the boys over to my house for pizzas, cookies and chips, and we watched the Monday night game. They got to swim, hang out and be in a house instead of a dorm. My wife makes treats for them after all the home games; she'll bring out brownies, cookies or little snacks. Today, we did a guided meditation and regenerative yoga. And I had probably half a dozen guys literally fall asleep on the field amongst their teammates. Those types of things are helping them build community and be successful. I also send out a newsletter to their parents every two weeks to update them on how they're doing as students. They can follow their soccer piece by watching us, but I’ll share pictures from road trips, which they might not necessarily get from their kids here.
Q: When you're not teaching or coaching, what are you doing?
A: The Hoffmann household already has national champions, and all three kids have been in the Olympic development program at the regional level. As far as hobbies, a lot of people think that it's fun that I brew my own kombucha at home. I have a lot of fruit trees. I have elderberries, goji berries, figs, plums, Asian pears, jujubes and persimmons in the front yard. I also have plums, nectarines, asparagus, spinach, pomegranates and miracle fruits. And then, seasonally, I do things like snap peas and bell peppers, lettuce and things of that nature.
Q: Why do you think you've had so much success during your tenure?
A: Honestly, what made it happen is the kids. When things were bumpy, they stuck together and really allowed themselves to develop. My wife and I try to invest in these guys. What is cool is that we have now been to 21 weddings of former kids. My daughter was even a flower girl, and my son was a ringbearer for one of our former players. That means a lot.
Hoffmann has served on the NCAA Regional Selection Committee and NCAA National Leadership Conference and he has lectured at the NISOA National Referee Assignors convention. He’s also been published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research for a paper titled “Intensity and Duration of Intermittent Exercise and Recovery During a Soccer Match” with Dr. Michael Orenduff et al. in 2010.
Hoffmann is married to Tricia and lives in Highland Village with their daughter, Trinity, and sons, Beckett and Keane.
