MaxPreps 2013 Soccer Early Contenders: Needham boys

He is, quite simply, the face of Massachusetts high school soccer. How could he not be?

Needham (Mass.) boys coach Don Brock is in his sixth decade of coaching, the last 46 years at his venerable suburban Boston school. He has basically written the book on coaching management, sportsmanship and protocol, particularly as they pertain to player conduct and working with officials. A career record of 662-179-117 ensures he will someday retire as one of the most successful coaches in the history of American high school soccer. He has won four state titles.

Many speculated that if Needham won last season's MIAA Division 1 playoff title that 2012 would be his last season.

The Rockets won again. Brock remains in motion. Another season awaits. Needham is one of 10 fall boys teams to be honored as a national title Early Contender presented by adidas and Dick's Sporting Goods.

"I still enjoy coaching; I still enjoy the kids, the games and really enjoy practices," the 76-year-old Brock said. "I know the end is near. I'm taking it a year at a time and will probably know when the time is right. But in the meantime, it's still fun going to work and seeing kids grow and applying my mathematics to soccer."

See all the 2013 Fall Soccer Early Contenders

That's something you don't hear every day - applying mathematics to soccer. But it's simple. Its origins are tied to the same person who made Brock, a retired math teacher, a stickler for proper conduct and decorum on the soccer pitch.

"Odd we're talking about this today because the person who influenced me the most in coaching and teaching, Ed King, just died, at age 91," said Brock.

"He was my mathematics teacher (at nearby Duxbury) and my soccer coach, and he had a style of coaching and a way of teaching the game back then that I adopted over the years, and still use today. There was a lot about math that I learned to apply to coaching, how to play angles defensively, how to see the field and break it down, that sort of thing.

"A lot has changed over the years," he added, "but some things have stayed the same."

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Local outlook: "There is no question that Don Brock has earned the title of Mr. Soccer in Massachusetts. As someone who has covered Brock for nearly three decades, I can say he has never wavered from his core beliefs, and the results speak for themselves. He has won the battle of time and the results speak for themselves."
- Dan Ventura, Boston Herald (@BostonHeraldHS)