Gould Academy Names Daniel McDermott as New Head Boys Soccer Coach and History Teacher

Gould Academy is pleased to announce the appointment of Daniel McDermott as the new Head Boys Varsity Soccer Coach and a member of the History Department for the 2026-27 academic school year, after completing his PhD in History from the University of Rochester in Rochester, New York. McDermott joins Gould with a strong background in coaching in premier youth soccer organizations.

Originally from Lowell, MA, Daniel most recently coached youth teams with the Western New York Flash in Rochester, one of the top youth clubs in the country with a strong history of moving players on to the collegiate level. With the Flash, Daniel honed his coaching style and cultivated a positive team culture, something he hopes to continue at Gould. Additionally, he serves as the Technical Director for the Brockport Soccer Club, overseeing player and coach development throughout the organization. He sees his own philosophy, with an emphasis on humility and togetherness, as aligned with Gould’s.

---

I’m honored and excited to be joining the Gould community and contribute to the school’s shared vision of holistic learning across academics, athletics, and residential life. These are the values that guide my own work as an educator, coach, and mentor. – Daniel McDermott

---

“I’m honored and excited to be joining the Gould community and contribute to the school’s shared vision of holistic learning across academics, athletics, and residential life,” says Daniel. “These are the values that guide my own work as an educator, coach, and mentor.”

Daniel shares Gould’s commitment to promoting lifelong learners and has built an extensive coaching education background. He holds a U.S. Soccer National C License and is working towards a Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) B license with the Scottish Football Association. He also holds certifications from the Association of Professional Football Analysis (APFA), Albert Puig Football Concepts (APFC), TOVO Academy, and United Soccer Coaches.

---

Daniel will arrive on campus with his wife, Liz, this August, but he’s already thinking about his impact on the community.

“I am excited to build a culture rooted in Gould’s core values, where success is measured by resilience, courage, confidence, and a commitment to instilling a growth mindset,” says Daniel. “Within this environment, success on the scoreboard becomes a natural byproduct of the process.”

Daniel will also be a head coach with the Maine Lightning Soccer Club, and is particularly excited about connecting Gould with the wider Maine soccer community and providing pathways for athletes to play and develop their game beyond Gould.

In the classroom, beyond a PhD in History and having taught undergraduate classes at the University of Rochester, Daniel brings a wealth of outdoor education experience from his time working as an interpretive Park Ranger at Acadia National Park on Maine’s Mount Desert Island. His background in environmental stewardship matches nicely with Gould’s deep sense of place in the mountains of Western Maine.