Staff

Under his guidance, the Academy has evolved into a fully-integrated player development structure where players have the ability to enter the club as a developmental player and pursue their dream of one day playing for the Rapids First Team through the MLS Homegrown Player program. Crookham began his career with the organization as the Director of Coaching for the Rapids Academy.  

During the 2008 and 2009 seasons Crookham also assisted head coaches Gary Smith and Fernando Clavijo with the First Team.

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, 6, and 3 year old twins Beth and Sean.

Mitch Murray joined the Rapids Academy as Technical Director in February of 2010. He has a long history of coaching soccer at the highest levels in America. His coaching licenses include German “A,” US Soccer “A” and Canadian Level IV.

Coming to the Rapids, Murray brings 21 years of Collegiate coaching experience, which includes 16 years at Santa Clara University and two years at San Diego State. During his tenure with Santa Clara University, Murray had a winning record of 143-58-17.

Between the years of 1996 and 1999, Murray served as the head coach for the U-18 National Team. During this time, he also was one of the scouts for the National Team.

Murray’s accolades include, 2 State Titles with Foothill Community College, 1 NCAA Division I National Championship with Santa Clara, 3 NCAA Division I Finals, 4 NCAA Division I final 4s, 1991 NCAA Division I Coach of the Year.

Brett Jacobs begins his third season with the Rapids after joining the club in November 2007.

As a semi-professional player and professional coach, he carries 18 years domestic and international experience.

In 2010, Jacobs was promoted to his current position as Director of Coaching for the Rapids Academy having served as the Assistant Director the previous two years. His responsibilities have also included assisting head coach Gary Smith with the First Team duties.   

Jacobs comes to Colorado having previously 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 from 2002-2004. He has previous experience at the state level coaching for the Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association from 1999-2002 and working as a Player/Coach for the Cape Cod Crusaders of  Mass Premiere Soccer Inc. from 1996-2001.

Jacobs began his career as an Assistant Coach for the University of West Florida from 1995-1996.

A graduate of the University of Alabama 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, 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, 4, and Jett, 1.

Steve Cooke joined the Colorado Rapids coaching staff full-time in February 2010. Prior to joining the Rapids, Cooke has enjoyed a twenty year full-time coaching career in England and in the United States.

A graduate of Carnegie College in Education, Cooke holds both the UEFA “A” Coaching License and the USSF “A” Coaching License.

Cooke came to the United States following a six year career with Sheffield Wednesday Football Club, then of the English Premier League, where he performed duties as Youth Team Coach and Center of Excellence Coach. Additionally, he worked for The Football Association as a tutor and assessor in their coaching education department.

Cooke made the move to Phoenix, Arizona where he spent eight years as the Assistant Director of Coaching at Sereno Soccer Club and a further two years at SC del Sol in the same role.

Steve Cooke's career then took him to Las Vegas, Nevada when he accepted a position as the Director of Coaching for Neusport Football Club. In addition, Steve was appointed as the Director of the boys Olympic Development Program and performed duties as a Coach Educator for the Nevada Youth Soccer Association.

A native of Sheffield, England, Steve resides in Denver, Colorado and has two children, Daniel and Gabrielle.

Tom Patton joined the Colorado Rapids in 2006 and is currently serving as the Soccer 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, Patton 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, Patton 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. Patton also holds a USSF D license.