Randall Walters

Guiding the Dayton Futbol Academy is Club Director Randall Walters, whose leadership is defined by a profound belief in player potential and a commitment to fostering a supportive, family-like environment. For Randall, DFA is more than just a soccer club; it's a community dedicated to cultivating dreams, honing talent, and empowering every athlete to shape their own future in the sport. His vision centers on partnership – working together to achieve individual and collective success, celebrating every step of the journey.

Randall's perspective is deeply informed by his own distinguished playing career, which showcased both individual skill and impactful leadership. Even in high school, facing tough opposition, he demonstrated the technical creativity and composure that sets players apart—like executing a dazzling turn to beat a defender and create a crucial scoring opportunity. This talent flourished at Northern Kentucky University, where he became a central figure in the team's attack. His influence was instrumental in elevating the program's status, driving NKU into the national top 10 and establishing a winning culture that contributed to the university capturing its sole national title shortly after his tenure. His playing journey extended to the professional level with the Cincinnati Excite (AISL), where his adaptability in key attacking roles proved vital to the team's success in the demanding indoor game.

Complementing his on-field achievements is a robust academic foundation in human behavior and educational systems. Randall holds multiple advanced degrees, including a Master's in Applied Behavior Analysis, an Education Specialist degree in School Psychology, and another Master's in Educational Leadership. This unique blend of expertise equips him with deep insights into learning theory, motivation, skill acquisition, and holistic athlete development, informing his evidence-based approach to coaching.

Beyond his playing accomplishments, Randall brings over two decades of coaching experience to DFA, having successfully developed top talent across the nation in various high-level roles. His extensive background includes serving as a Club Director at FOSC in Cincinnati, a Club Trainer for CUSA Courage, and an ODP (Olympic Development Program) trainer. Furthermore, his approach to player development has been significantly shaped by learning from the best, such as collaborating closely with football legends like Chelsea icon Charlie Cooke during nationwide Coerver Coaching initiatives. These experiences provided him with invaluable insights into world-class training methodologies and the nuances of nurturing talent effectively.

Today, Randall brings this unique synthesis of elite playing experience, advanced education, and extensive coaching background to the forefront at DFA. He champions a development philosophy centered on technical mastery and ball control, aiming to equip young players with the skills and confidence needed to excel. There's a distinct emphasis on encouraging creativity and flair, particularly empowering players to dominate 1v1 situations. Under his direction, DFA is focused on forging technically proficient, tactically astute, and creatively confident players prepared for success at every level.