Meet the staff of the Colorado Rapids Academy!

 

Brian Crookham
Director of Coaching, Rapids Youth Academy

Brian Crookham joined the Rapids staff full-time in May of 2007 as the Rapids Youth Academy’s Director of Coaching.

He is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Youth Academy and will work with Director of Player Development John Murphy to form a fully-integrated player development structure for the Colorado Rapids.

For the three years prior to coming to the Rapids full-time, Crookham was the Assistant Technical Director for Colorado Youth Soccer. There he was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Olympic Development Program and worked in coaching education.

Crookham has also served as the color analyst for Rapids television broadcasts on Altitude Sports and Entertainment since 2004.

Prior to his stint at Colorado Youth Soccer, Crookham served as the Men’s Soccer Coach and Assistant Athletic Director at Metropolitan State College in Denver. During his nine-year tenure, the soccer team became nationally-recognized, going from a team that had never before been ranked to as high as number four in the NCAA Division II top 25.

 

In 2000 the program made its first ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Crookham coached three All-Americans, eleven All-Midwest Region players and the 2001 RMAC Player-of-the-Year. The program was also recognized nationally with Academic Honor Awards in each of the last three seasons he was there.

 

In his role as Assistant Athletic Director, he was responsible for managing the student-athlete eligibility, academic progress, and NCAA rules compliance for the school.

A USSF “A” Licensed coach, Crookham also serves as a USYS Region IV staff coach and an instructor in both state and national coaching education programs for US Soccer.

A native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Brian currently resides in Highlands Ranch, Colorado with his wife Michelle and their three children, Connor, 5, and 2 year old twins Beth and Sean.


Brett Jacobs
Assistant Director, Youth Academy

 

Brett Jacobs begins his first season in MLS joining the Rapids as Assistant Director, Youth Academy in November 2007. Jacobs will coach the Rapids U16 team in the Development Academy and assist with the development of the vertically integrated club.

As a semi-professional player and professional coach, he carries fifteen years domestic and international experience.

Jacobs comes to Colorado having previous served as the Director of Coaching for the Michigan State Youth Soccer Association from 2005 to 2007. During his two-year stint in Michigan, he also worked as the First Team Coach for the Michigan Bucks of the United Soccer Leagues, PDL- winning a national championship in 2006 and finishing as national finalists in 2007.

Prior to his tenure in Michigan, Jacobs coached full-time for London’s Wimbledon Football Club in the English F.A. Academy system from 2002-2004. He has previous experience as the Assistant Director of Coaching for the Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association from 1999-2002 and working as an Academy Director/Player/Coach in the Mass Premiere Soccer Inc. from 1996-2001.

Jacobs began his career as the Director of Player Development for the Pensacola Soccer Complex, before moving on to work as an Assistant Coach for the University of West Florida from 1995-1996.

 

A graduate of the University of Alabama with a degree in Telecommunications, Jacobs is a USSF A licensed coach, holds the UEFA B and is currently taking the UEFA A license through the English Football Association. His playing experience spans over a decade and a half with stops in Ryman Premier and Dr. Marten semi-professional leagues in London England USL Division II, Eastern Indoor Professional Soccer League, USISL Premiere Development League and NCAA Division I at the University of South Alabama.

Brett and his wife Jennifer live in Denver with their sons Finn, 3, and Jett, 1. 

Tom Patton joined the Colorado Rapids in 2006 and is currently serving as the Youth Academy Coordinator. His primary duties include managing the Academy Camps as well as assisting with the operations of the Academy Teams.

Prior to joining the Rapids, Tom served in a similar capacity at Ajax America in Orlando. He also worked with the USL’s Central Florida Kraze and Krush, as well as several youth clubs in the central Florida area.

A native of Sarasota, FL, Tom received a bachelor’s in finance, a master’s in business administration, and a master’s in sport business management from the University of Central Florida in Orlando.

Tom currently holds a USSF D license and is planning on completing the National C course this summer.

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