David Wharton started coaching at Eastside in 2012. He usually works with the older boys and has coached teams in the ’97, ’99, ’00, ’01, and ’06 age groups. Prior to that, he coached in the WSYSA and Region IV ODP programs, was the head goalkeeping coach for WSYSA, and also coached at the University of Washington and various premier clubs in Seattle. He holds a USSF B License and formerly held an A License, which lapsed while he was living and working in Finland.

David believes in maximizing the potential of players rather than focusing on systems. He takes a principled approach to coaching, where individual sessions reinforce a framework based on ball dominance and controlling space. He loves winning but loves helping players be successful even more—whatever that means to them.

A Seattle native, David went to college and high school on the East Coast. Both of his kids played at Eastside. His daughter Reece is on the Whitman College women’s team, and his son Kieran is about to graduate from Reed College in Portland, where he captained the men’s soccer team. His wife Bonnie—who he says is the best player in the family—currently coaches the G07 Red team. They live in Woodinville near Redmond Ridge with their two occasionally loud dogs, Astro and Nalu.