University of Californi (Santa Cruz)

"The previous review about Yelena is spot on. Even after two years, it seems like she's still up to the same old tricks for the new club team she started in San Jose (ND Elite). The original reviewer is spot on describing everything Yelena is and does: "… very dishonest and manipulative ... has her favorites and ... dishonest with her players. She does whatever she wants no matter your skill set ... She is very unfair and exclusionary. She says one thing in a meeting then announces something else ... she'll recruit from either walk-in or from a club team she knows ... Treat players like they don't exist, right after she tells them that they will be playing. She is very unfair and I think a little racially bias ... She plays mind games and is a liar … she is a terrible, dishonest person, and a horrible coach. Please be careful in accepting a recruiting position ... It is not going to be like what she says. Other coaches at the school are known to be fantastic ... She doesn't get to know her players … She creates a terrible culture and does not seem to really care about the girls. She's definitely unfair and biased. She will be very vague when you ask her questions and then pretend that the conversation never happened." Yup, pretty much everything I have experienced with her. At least Yelena is consistent. I'll give her that. I don't even know why she is called "coach" when she doesn't want to coach. She just wants players to come in with set skills and she will be completely hands-off. For players who can use a little coaching to get to their full potential, she pretty much just ignores them and acts like they're not worth her time and shouldn't play on a competitive team. She created two teams for her new club - One with the players that she wants and thinks are good, and the other team is everyone else who is willing to pay to be on a club team. She moved one girl from the 2's team to the 1's team just because that girl is tall and wanted to be with her friends, but yet treats other girls who are more skilled but a little shorter like they are nothing. She seems greedy when it comes to creating her team. Let's be real: It really is just her TEAM not teamS because she doesn't care about the 2's."

"Discriminating and manipulating. Uses the player to her convenience and don’t give a damn about anything."

"The playing style is ever so confusing. Head coach doesn't coach and then blames you for everything. Doesn't tell the truth and has lied about certain situations. Doesn't respect or know anything about recovery time for players. Players have quit due to her non coaching and un compassion for players feelings and situations. Not qualified to be a head coach. I would give negative stars if possible."

"Coach is a joke. Doesn’t care about what’s going on with her players and ruins them mentality . She stands the whole game without even the simplest of coaching. She does not understand the game and seems not to want to learn it. Girls have left the team and are questioning their ability as a player. I’m sure they could hire ANYONE to take her place as it would be an extreme improvement. I’m not even sure she has ever even played soccer herself. She’s trying to create her own culture but doesn’t explain it or care if you don’t like it. Overall she is just not qualified to coach at this level. I’m sure there are a lot of youth club teams that might want her but this is not her lane. Beware….."

"First of all this coach only has a C license to coach and has never been a player. She literally stands on the sidelines with her arms crossed or on her hips and gives absolutely no direction or coaching. The only feedback she gives when she pulls you out is that you did terrible and finds every mistake the team made to put the blame on you the player. When girls get subbed out after 3 to 5 minutes they feel less then and have to get hugs and support from the teammates on the sidelines. She always brings the whole squad knowing that she is not going to play them. She tries to talk soccer language that makes absolutely no sense to confuse the girls even more. She doesn't care about feelings and will be little you if you have a suggestion or input. Every practice the day before games she has the team do 11v11 the whole practice when girls are already exhausted from the game before. She does not know how to coach nor does she care to learn. I have seen youth club coaches coach better then her. Never have team bonding events because she is too busy doing nothing!!!! Then she slid her husband as the assistant coach who does absolutely nothing but travel with the team as a 3rd wheel. He needs to go get a reel job cuz he has even less coaching experience. She has lied about players to get them off the team and then she plays victim. Not to mention the girls that have quit and now have mental health issues due to her rudeness and incapability to coach. None of the girls like her and are afraid to even have a conversation with her knowing that they could be the next ones on the chopping block. I don't understand how a UC could hire such an un experienced person (not coach) to leed a group of athletes that have fought all there playing career to be here. Honestly a 12 year old child could coach better. Also, she never talks or interacts with the real assistant coach who his very knowledgable and the only one keeping this team together. They need to make Nadler the head coach and have this poser kick rocks... As a head coach, how do you not see your team cry and lean on each other every single game. I could keep going on about her, but bottom line she doesn't coach, won't teach you anything, makes you feel useless and just doesn't know the beautiful game of soccer. SAD :("