Get To Know Your Coach - Jeremy Markou

Jeremy Markou’s love for soccer began early, starting as a player at the age of five. Growing up in Flamborough, he played for Flamborough Centre, continued through high school, and still enjoys competing in adult leagues in Guelph today.

Jeremy’s favorite coach growing up, Jorge Penalosa, had a lasting influence on him. Jorge’s ability to understand his players’ strengths and push them to be their best inspired Jeremy both as a player and now as a coach. “I grew up being a striker, and when Jorge came onto the scene, he saw my strengths in defense and I became a defender,” Jeremy recalls. That experience showed him the importance of recognizing individual strengths and helping players grow in new ways, an approach he carries into his own coaching.

Coaching has been a part of Jeremy’s life since high school, and he stepped back into it more formally once his own children began playing soccer. For multiple years now, Jeremy has coached at Guelph Soccer across both house league and rep, including teams that don’t include his own children. Regardless of the stream, Jeremy emphasizes having fun, building skills, and fostering a love for the game. This upcoming season, Jeremy is coaching his daughter’s team and has applied to continue coaching his son’s rep team.

Some of Jeremy’s favorite soccer memories are both personal and communal from making the varsity team in Grade 9 and scoring for that team, to coaching moments where players express excitement and growth. “My greatest achievement as a coach is having kids tell me they had a great season and want me back,” he notes.

As a big soccer family, Jeremy enjoys spending time with his wife and kids cheering on both the Men’s and Women’s teams of Guelph United and the Guelph Gryphons. He’s also a devoted fan of the NFL’s Buffalo Bills.

Through his years of coaching, Jeremy continues to share his passion for soccer, foster skill development, and build meaningful connections with his players. With his experience, dedication, and love for the game, Jeremy Markou is inspiring the next generation of athletes one practice, one game, and one unforgettable moment at a time.