09/22/2026
COACH SPOTLIGHT - Keith Southwell
U.S. Soccer Federation National C License
With more than 30 years of youth soccer coaching and player-development experience, Keith Southwell brings a wealth of knowledge, passion, and leadership to Crush SC. His coaching journey began while he was still in high school, when he volunteered as a Junior Pro coach at Deerfield-Windsor. It was there that he discovered a passion for teaching the game and helping young players develop both on and off the field.
That passion continued through his college years at the University of Georgia where he was a staff coach with the Athens United SA. After graduating, Coach Southwell joined the Albany Area YMCA, eventually becoming Youth Sports Director. Under his leadership, the YMCA soccer program grew to more than 1,000 participants. He later helped develop Hotspur FC, where he served as Director of Coaching and continued his focus on building strong players and quality youth soccer programs.
Coach Southwell has also served as a Georgia Soccer Olympic Development Program (ODP) Staff Coach, working with the Southern District Training Center in both Tifton and Albany. His experience at the club, recreational, and ODP levels has given him a unique perspective on player development and the different pathways available to young athletes.
A lifelong student of the game, Coach Southwell holds a U.S. Soccer Federation National C License. He is committed to creating an environment where players are challenged, encouraged, and given the tools to reach their potential.
Coach Southwell also brings extensive experience as a soccer referee. He holds a U.S. Soccer Regional Emeritus Referee Badge and has officiated high school and collegiate soccer throughout his 30+ year career. He has worked numerous high school state finals, conference championship matches and the NJCAA, NAIA and NCAA tournaments.
For Coach Southwell, soccer has always been about more than wins and losses. It is about developing players, building confidence, teaching the game, and creating a lifelong love of soccer. That philosophy continues to drive his vision for Crush SC and its players.