FangSide Chats: Getting to Know Johnny Clifford

During the summer, St. Mary's athletics will be bringing you "Fangside Chats: Getting to Know" profiles of our head coaches to shine a light on who they are outside of their sport.
 
We sat down with the longest tenured head coach on staff, Men's Soccer Coach Johnny Clifford to discuss some of his favorite things. Clifford begins his ninth season as head coach and his 12th year at St. Mary's. The Rattlers are the defending Lone Star Regular Season Champions and return both Defender of the Year and Goalkeeper of the Year in Luke Mulkey and Johnny Thurbin, respectively.
 
Q: What is your favorite place you've ever traveled?
A: Ireland. There's magic in that island
 
Q: What do you enjoy doing most when you're not coaching or recruiting?
A: I love UFC and hanging at home with Sarah (wife) and the pups.
 
Q: What movie will you always watch on tv, no matter how many times you've seen it?
A: Stepbrothers.
 
Q: What is your favorite quote and why does it resonate with you?
A: We always go again!
 
Q: If your pets could speak English, what do you think they'd say about you?
A: Dad watches a lot of football (or Soccer for the Americans)
 
Q: What is your favorite sport to play, other than the one you coach?
A: Racquetball
 
Q: If you could relive one moment from your life, which one would you choose?
A: Our first league title in 2019
 
Q: Is there a skill you've always wanted to learn?
A: Surfing
 
Q: How old were you when you knew coaching was the profession for you?
A: I've always known I would be in football
 
Q: Do you play any musical instruments?
A: The drums
 
Q: Who do you feel are the top five athletes of all time in the sport you coach (regardless of gender)?
A: Lionel Messi, Jimmy "Jinky" Johnstone, Kenny Dalglish, Ronaldo, Diego Maradona