When Bailey Cohen returned to the high school as an assistant coach in 2023, she joined a program she already knew by heart.
A 2020 graduate and former defender for the girls varsity soccer team, she has brought her experience as a player into her new role on the sidelines. Her familiarity with the program’s culture and play style has helped her connect with the players and strengthen the team tactically.
Cohen earned a spot on the girls varsity soccer team as a sophomore and stayed with the team through three seasons. According to Cohen, these experiences shaped her everlasting connection to the program.
“I got to play with three very different groups of people, and it was a really tight-knit community,” Cohen said. “I liked it enough to come back and coach.”
Head coach Ben Peters, who coached Cohen as a player before bringing her onto this staff, said her personality as an athlete carried over to coaching.
“She was kind of a no-nonsense player,” Peters said. “She was up front and direct with people, and that’s what always stood out to me.”
Cohen played primarily as a defender, moving between outside and center back. Cohen said the familiarity of those positions and the formation the team still uses has carried over into her coaching role.
“I think that’s helped a lot with being able to work the defense, especially this year, because we play a 3-5-2,” Cohen said. “I understand what it feels like, not only to be a defender in a 3-5-2 formation, but also to be a defender in a 3-5-2 formation on this particular team.”
Her responsibilities also extend to the goalkeepers. Although she has never played the position, Cohen said she concentrates on technical details, often shaping training sessions around what the players feel they need most.
“With the goalies, I focus a lot more on repetitions rather than situational stuff,” Cohen said. “Since I am with them a little bit more, I can personalize the training a little bit more to what they want.”
Junior goalkeeper Chloe Price, who has trained with Cohen since her freshman year, said that the individual attention has been important for her. Cohen has been a constant presence throughout the ups and downs of her varsity career.
“She’s definitely is my biggest supporter,” Price said. “Anytime I’ve had confidence issues, especially being on the bench and transitioning to being a starter, she’s always been there for me.”
According to Price, that support comes from Cohen’s willingness to learn and adjust as a coach.
“She isn’t really a goalkeeper, but she shows how hard she works and that she is one of the best goalkeeper coaches I’ve ever had,” Price said. “She taught herself everything, and she works so hard to take our feedback and become a better coach.”
According to Peters, Cohen’s directness is balanced by the insight she provides as a recent player herself. Her perspective helps him understand the team’s dynamic in ways he might not see from the sidelines.
“When I have to make a decision about something, I usually always go to her first and ask her, because she’s got that inside information with the relationships she has with the girls,” Peters said.
According to Cohen, the most rewarding part of coaching has been building trust and creating an environment where players can feel confident in themselves.
“I really love how positive of an impact it can have on people, not only in their play but also just as people,” Cohen said. “Being able to allow players to feel safe to be themselves and not feel judged for it…that’s something I really strive for.”
While Cohen’s future goals may extend beyond the sport, Cohen said her connection to the soccer program is something she wants to continue.
“I think it makes a really positive impact for kids to have consistency with their coaches and actually look forward to practice,” Cohen said. “That’s something I definitely want to continue, especially in Brookline.”
