Coach's Corner: Dejan Milosevic

Building Culture Through Respect: Coach Milo’s Path Across Every Level of Soccer

Milo’s path through the U.S. college system gave him a perspective few coaches have. Beginning at the junior college level and later transferring to the NAIA, he experienced the game at multiple levels and built lasting relationships along the way. Those experiences didn’t just shape his growth as a player—they became the foundation of the coach and mentor he is today.

“I always knew I’d be a coach,” Milo says. “But going through the system myself—JUCO, NAIA—taught me exactly how I wanted to treat athletes. I saw firsthand how respect, or the lack of it, could make or break a player’s experience. That stuck with me.”

For Milo, respect and honesty are the foundation. “Respect is number one,” he explains. “And it has to be mutual. I can’t expect athletes to respect me if I don’t show it to them. That’s how you build trust, that’s how you build culture.”

That philosophy has created programs where players feel valued and connected, where accountability and standards exist without favoritism. His teams have become known for their family-like culture—a reflection of how he once wished to be led as a player.

Navigating Today’s Game
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Milo’s background also shapes how he views modern challenges like the transfer portal and evolving recruiting landscapes. While he admits the portal can be a quick exit for some players, he sees it through the lens of his own journey. “For me, it’s about honesty,” he says. “Sometimes the right move is staying, sometimes it’s leaving—but my job is to have those tough conversations and help athletes face them with maturity.”

In recruiting, Milo prioritizes fit over flash. “Talent matters, but the best programs are built on shared values. The best coaches are the ones who care.”

A Broader Mission: Soccer in the U.S.
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Milo’s influence extends beyond the college game. As a director in one of Dallas’s largest youth clubs, he carries the same philosophy to hundreds of kids and parents who look to him for guidance. Having grown up overseas, played professionally, and now coached at the NCAA Division I level, Milo sees soccer in the U.S. through a unique lens.

“Parents are trusting us with their kids,” he says. “It’s not just about making them better athletes—it’s about making them better people. That’s something the U.S. soccer system has to keep in mind if we want long-term growth.”

Looking ahead, Milo believes upcoming global events will accelerate soccer’s adoption in America. With the World Cup and other major tournaments coming to U.S. soil, he sees an unprecedented chance to push the game forward.

“This is our moment as a country,” Milo says. “When kids see the best players in the world competing here—Messi, Mbappé, all of them—it inspires dreams. If we nurture that energy and focus on building environments that care about people first, soccer in the U.S. can grow into one of the world’s strongest systems.”

For Milo, the mission is clear: use his personal journey to shape others’ paths, and use soccer as a tool to leave a lasting impact.
“I don’t just want athletes to remember me as a good coach,” he says. “I want them to remember me as a good person.”

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