Robert Montanaro

Assistant Coach

Connecticut

Division 1

Robbie Montanaro joined the Huskies coaching staff in August of 2024. 

Montanaro spent this past year as the first assistant at Adrian College. Montanaro was previously the head coach at Boston University Academy where he led the Terriers to an 11-1 record and a league title in 2023. 

Before his time at Boston University Academy, he was a private goalkeeper coach for high school, college, and professional goalkeepers around the country. 

Montanaro graduated from Bates College where he started 47 games in net and made over 200 saves for the Bobcats. He graduated with a bachelors degree in Sociology. Montanaro played abroad in Scotland, Puerto Rico, Sweden, and the Czech Republic. While playing pro, he got his masters degree from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.

Ade Taiwo

Volunteer Assistant Coach

Wake Forest

Division 1

Wake Forest head men's soccer coach Bobby Muuss announced the hiring of Matt Poplawski as the program's new Volunteer Assistant Coach prior to the 2017 season. He enters his second year in 2018.

In his first year in Winston-Salem, he helped the Deacs to a 19-2-2 overall record and 7-0-1 mark in the ACC. By winning the ACC Championship, Wake Forest became the first team in the league to finish the ACC regular season and Championship undefeated since 1999. The Deacs were rewarded with ACC Offensive Player of the Year (Jon Bakero) and Defensive Player of the Year (Kevin Politz) honors, as each was also named an All-American.

Poplawski is part of a staff which earned the United Soccer Coaches Region Staff of the Year honors in 2017. He helped coach MAC Hermann Trophy winner Jon Bakero and CoSIDA Academic All-America of the Year winner Kevin Politz, who became two of the seven Deacons to head to the MLS ranks following the season.

Poplawski joined the Demon Deacons from Penn, where he was a 2017 graduate of the Wharton School of Business, and a two-sport varsity athlete.

On the pitch, Poplawski was a two-time All-Ivy League honoree and two-year team captain. He also played basketball for two seasons, appearing in 17 games.

Christian Lomeli

Assistant Coach

Indiana

Division 1

Assistant/Goalkeeper Coach for Indiana University 

Head Coach for Alliance FC 

Jhojan Obando

Assistant Coach

Michigan

Division 1

Obando has been instrumental in producing some of the program's best goalkeepers. In 2019, he coached Andrew Verdi to Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year honors and a school record for lowest goals-against average (0.78, minimum 1,000 minutes). After Verdi went down with an injury late in the season, Obando quickly installed freshman Owen Finnerty between the pipes. Finnerty played every minute of the final seven matches, which included runs to the Big Ten Tournament final and the NCAA Sweet 16. Between the two of them, U-M had 11 shutouts in 2019, most in a single season in school history. Four of the five spots behind Verdi on the school's all-time list for lowest GAA were coached by Obando, including Henry Mashburn (0.81 in 2018), Verdi (1.02 in 2017) and Evan Louro (1.05 in 2015).

With Obando's goalkeepers in net, U-M has set, then tied, the school record for fewest goals allowed in a season, conceding 18 goals in both 2018 and 2019. Four of the top seven defenses in program history -- as judged by goals-against average -- have come in the last five years under Obando's watch (2015, 2017, 2018, 2019). He's mentored 2012 All-Big Ten second-team honoree Adam Grinwis (formerly of Orlando City SC) and fellow program alum Evan Louro (formerly of the New York Red Bulls). 

A native of Colombia, Obando possesses a USSF National C License, as well as an NSCAA Level III goalkeeping certificate. He played in 44 career matches (42 starts) as a goalkeeper at Providence under the guidance of Chaka Daley as a student-athlete, helping the Friars to a 24-14-4 record and recording 13 shutouts. In 2010, Obando helped the Friars to the championship game of the Big East Tournament and was named to the All-Tournament Team.

Additionally, he was part of three Providence teams that made the NCAA Tournament. During the last two seasons, the Friars hosted an NCAA Tournament first-round match for the first times in school history, and advanced to the second round on each occasion. He was one of four goalkeepers invited to the 2012 adidas MLS Player Combine and most recently played for the Des Moines Menace in the Premier Development League.

Taylor Thames

Head Coach

La Salle

Division 1

Taylor Thames enters his third season as the Explorers head coach after being hired to the post on August 9, 2021.
 
Thames finished his first season with a 6-10 record overall, and a 2-6 conference play record. Down the stretch of the season Thames coached the Blue & Gold to big back-to-back wins, scoring four goals in each of those games. Nigel Buckley, a senior forward, and a member of Coach Thames 2021 roster, was named to the Philadelphia Soccer 6 All-Star Team.
 
Thames joined the La Salle staff with over a decade of Division I coaching experience, most recently at Army West Point.

During his two seasons with the Cadets, Thames was heavily involved in the program's recruiting efforts and was key in helping bring in a stellar 2020 class that was ranked 18th in the nation by Top Drawer Soccer, and the 2021 class that was ranked 19th in the country.

With Thames on the staff, two Cadets garnered Second Team All-Patriot League accolades in Zac McGraw and Keenan O'Shea. McGraw additionally was the first Cadet in program history to be selected in the MLS Superdraft after he was picked by the Portland Timbers in the third round.

During his time on the banks of the Hudson, Thames also played a pivotal role of the emergence and development of Jacob Suppiah. After missing nearly his entire rookie season due to injury, Suppiah returned as a sophomore and posted a pair of shutouts. He finished his season with a 0.88 goals-against average in seven matches played and was key in the draw against No. 19 Navy on Oct. 11 in the annual Army-Navy Cup at Talen Energy Stadium.

"I am extremely honored and humbled to lead the La Salle men's soccer team," Thames said. "My family and I are very excited to join the Blue and Gold. I want to take this opportunity to thank [Brian Baptiste](https://goexplorers.com/staff.aspxstaff=447), [Dan Lobacz](https://goexplorers.com/staff.aspxstaff=450), the entire search committee and La Salle University. It is an exciting time to be an Explorer and we will set the standard in the Atlantic 10. It is our mission to develop great men that strive for excellence in all areas. La Salle has a great soccer tradition and I look forward to stepping into McCarthy Stadium with the team to represent this institution."

Thames arrived at West Point with over nine years of coaching and playing experience after a four-year stint as an assistant coach at Cincinnati. 

With the Bearcats, he coached a defense that posted 16 clean sheets and compiled 27 wins. During his second year on the staff, Cincinnati ranked inside the top five in the American Athletic Conference in goals against average, goals allowed, saves and shutouts. He also coached one First Team All-AAC player, five second team standouts and four all-rookie team selections while with the program.

Prior to his time in Cincinnati, he spent two years on the coaching staff at Stony Brook as an assistant. Thames assisted in recruiting, while overseeing equipment, travel, the program's budget and NCAA compliance records. He also prepared and executed the conditioning and recovery programs on top of team training with a specific emphasis on the goalkeepers.

Before heading out to Long Island, Thames served in a similar capacity at Mount St. Mary's in Maryland. In three seasons there, he oversaw recruiting, as well as the design and implementation of training with oversight of the keepers. In addition, Thames was responsible for community and alumni outreach and he worked with student-athletes to oversee their class schedules and provide academic support.

He also has extensive youth coaching experience and is currently the Director of Coaching at Cornwall United, a role he took on July 1, 2019. Thames previously spent time as the Director of Goalkeeping and was the head coach for Cincinnati Elite FC. He additionally was the at the helm of the senior age group Ohio Elite SA from 2015-18.

Before trekking west, Thames held the role of head coach for the Maryland State Youth Soccer Association's (MSYSA) U-17 team and for the F.C. Frederick's U-15 squad. He was instrumental in coaching the keepers with both groups, serving as the assistant director of goalkeeping for MSYSA and the director of goalkeeping at F.C. Frederick. While with F.C. Frederick, he also worked in the Olympic Development Program as the U-18 head coach for Maryland. Under his guidance, the team finished as a finalist in the regional tournament in 2013.

He has a Senior-A level coaching license from the United States Soccer Federation and a goalkeeping diploma from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

A native of the Washington, D.C., area, Thames played in the Washington Premier League (WPL), a semi-professional league, for Washington Elite F.C. from 2010-13.

Before embarking on his semi-pro career, he was a four-year standout at Delaware. With the Blue Hens, he finished his career ranked sixth in career shutouts, ninth in saves, fifth in goals against average and seventh in minutes played. Twice a Dean's List honoree, he graduated from Delaware in 2009 with a bachelor's degree in Political Science. 

Thames resides in the Philadelphia area with his wife Christine, and their three kids: Chase (6), Crew (3), and Cora (1).

Wesley Woodley

Volunteer Assistant Coach

Loyola-Chicago (IL)

Division 1

I have been the assistant coach at North Park University as well as Trinity Christian College. I am currently the Goalkeeper coach at Loyola University. 

Mike Enghofer

Assistant Coach

Valparaiso

Division 1

Assistant coach Mike Enghofer comes to Valpo in his first year on staff with the Men Soccer team

Before joining Valparaiso University, Enghofer spent the spring of 2019 serving as the top assistant at Indiana University Northwest where he helped train and recruit for the program as it set to compete in its inaugural season in the NAIA powerhouse Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference.

Prior to that, Enghofer served as the head coach at Wheeler High School from 2017 - 2018

He received his degree in Mathematics Teaching in 2015 from Purdue Fort Wayne where he enjoyed a decorated playing career for the Mastodons.

During his time in Fort Wayne playing for PFW, Enghofer was a regular first team choice and helped lead the Mastodons to three summit league tournament appearances.

Enghofer currently resides in Valparaiso, Indiana.

Jeremy Payne

Bucknell

Division 1

Jeremy Payne, a former local soccer star at Midd-West High School and Messiah University who was most recently the head coach at Whitworth University, joined the Bucknell men's soccer staff in June 2023. 

"I am thrilled to have Jeremy, who I have known since his time as a player at Messiah, joining the staff at Bucknell," said head coach Dave Brandt. "He is an impressive and well-connected young coach who is an excellent recruiter and is experienced beyond his years. An excellent addition to our staff, Jeremy will be involved in every area of the program, both on and off the field."

A native of nearby Middleburg, Pa., Payne was an All-State player and two-time Daily Item Player of the Year during his days at Midd-West. He went on to star at Division III power Messiah, where he was the 2012 and 2014 United Soccer Coaches National Player of the Year. A key member of Messiah's 2012 and 2013 national championship teams, Payne was a three-time First Team All-America selection, and he was the D3Soccer.com Midfielder of the Year in 2012 and Forward of the Year in 2014. 

Payne launched his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Eastern University in 2015, and after two seasons he was elevated to head coach. In his first season in 2017, he led the Eagles to a 13-4-2 record, and one year later his squad finished 18-3-2, won MAC Freedom Conference regular-season and tournament titles, and reached the final 16 of the NCAA Division III Tournament. Eastern was recognized as the United Soccer Coaches Mid-Atlantic Region Staff of the Year in 2018. Despite heavy graduation losses, his team repeated as conference champs and returned to the NCAA Tournament in 2019.

After compiling a 42-17-5 record during his three seasons as head coach at Eastern, Payne accepted the head coaching position at Whitworth in Spokane, Wash., in April of 2020. After a COVID-altered 2020-21 season, Payne's squads finished 16-17-5 over the last two seasons, when he coached 10 All-Northwest Conference players and two NWC Freshmen of the Year. 

From 2019-22, Payne also served as the director of player personnel and strategic planning as well as an assistant coach with West Chester United SC. He was involved with coaching the club's USL2, NPSL and U23 programs and worked with players from a number of Division I programs, including Notre Dame, Villanova, Penn State, Penn, Akron, and Princeton. The team finished 13-2-2 in its inaugural USL2 season in 2021, and he coached six players who were selected in the MLS SuperDraft and 12 who signed professional contracts. 

Payne returned to his native Central Pennsylvania in the spring of 2023 to serve as the director of coaching with the highly successful North Union United Soccer Club. He will also serve as an assistant coach at Bucknell under second-year head coach Dave Brandt, who was also a standout player and coach at Messiah and is a member of the school's Hall of Fame.

Brandon Tucker

Assistant Coach, Recruiting Coordinator

Furman

Division 1

Former Colorado Rapids forward Brandon Tucker joined the Furman staff as an assistant coach prior to the 2017 season.

Brandon Tucker will be a great addition to our staff, said Paladin head coach Doug Allison. He has played for and coached with Coach Boulware and was a tremendous player with the Region IV team, Presbyterian and as a professional. His experience as a college coach and as a player at the professional level will make him a great fit for Furman.

Tucker, a native of Englewood, Colo., played his college soccer for Paladin assistant coach Bret Boulware at Presbyterian College before serving as assistant coach from 2009-11 and as associate head coach for the Blue Hose from 2012-13. He earned All-South Atlantic Conference honors and NSCAA All-Region accolades three times during his playing career. As a coach, he helped Presbyterian transition into NCAA Division I soccer.

This past season, Tucker helped lead the Paladins to an 11-7-1 overall record and the program's league record 20th Southern Conference regular season title with a 5-1-0 mark. Furman placed seven players on All-Southern Conference teams, including in the inclusion of Rocky Guerra, Cole McLagan and Jack Shiels on the first team.

In second season since returning to the Paladin program, Furman posted a 13-7-2 record, claimed its 14th Southern Conference Tournament crown and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament after edging UNCW in an opening-round penalty shootout. Laurence Wyke, the SoCon Tournament's Most outstanding Player, joined league goalkeeper of the year Ben Hale in earning first team All-SoCon honors.

In his first season at Furman, Tucker helped the Paladins to a 12-5-3 overall record and a 5-2-3 Southern Conference mark. The Paladins made a return to the national rankings on the strength of a six-match winning streak that included a triumph over then No. 4-ranked Denver. Junior Laurence Wyke garnered SoCon Player of the Year honors and United Soccer Coaches All-South Region accolades.

A 2010 inductee into the Colorado Soccer Hall of Fame, Tucker played for the Colorado Rapids in 2008 and 2009. He also played professionally for the Denver Dragons of the Premier Arena Soccer League.

I am truly thankful to Doug Allison for the opportunity to join the Furman Mens Soccer staff, said Tucker. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Coach Allison and the very successful program he has built. Making the decision to get back into coaching after being away for four years was something that took a lot of reflection, but after meeting the team and knowing the history behind the program with the ability for me to learn from one of the best in college soccer made my decision that much easier. Along with building new relationships with alumni and the Furman community, I am looking forward to working with my longtime coach, friend and mentor Bret Boulware. My family and I are eager to join the Furman University family and I am excited for the future of Furman Mens Soccer.

Since 2002, Tucker has served as a head coach and administrator with COEVER, Colorados premier soccer training academy.

Tucker graduated from Presbyterian College in 2007 with a degree in business administration and a concentration in management. He and his wife Anastashia are the parents of three children, Skie, Harper, and Sawyer.

Ross MacKlin

Assistant Coach

Carnegie Mellon

Division 3

Former Division III All-Region selection and international player, Ross Macklin, began his tenure as the Carnegie Mellon University men's soccer assistant coach in the fall of 2022. Macklin joined head coach Brandon Bowmans staff to continue an 11-year coaching career that spans work at the club, Division III, and international levels.

Macklin's first season with the Tartans witnessed the program's return to the NCAA Tournament and a double-digit win season. 

Macklin previously worked as the director of recruiting and operations, head coach, and camp director for Tiro Sports Pte Ltd in Singapore for three years where he was the lead recruiter for new players from around the world for Tiro Sports United States College recruiting program. While with Tiro, Macklin often served as the head coach for select teams made up of international players that participated in college showcase tournaments in the U.S. 

Concurrently, Macklin was a volunteer assistant coach at Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minnesota, for a year where he helped guide the Scots to a top-half finish in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and a postseason berth. Macklin was responsible for on-field coaching, helping to create the teams tactical approach to games, and scouting opponents.

Macklins first coaching role came in 2011 while he was a senior at Division III Vassar College. As Macklin was earning all-region honors for his play on the field helping the Brewers win their first-ever Liberty League Championship, he was serving as an assistant coach with the boys under 17 team at Middlepath FC from August through December of the following year. This experience, combined with a year as a student assistant for the Brewers in 2012 led to a full-time role with Vassar from August 2014 through January 2019. During that time, the Brewers earned two bids to the NCAA Division III Championship and won its second Liberty League title. 

Macklin earned all-region player distinction for leading the team with nine assists and 23 points while scoring seven goals. He was also named to the All-Liberty League Team as a junior and senior.

Additional coaching roles for Macklin include three years in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (ODP). He also played with Kingston Stockade FC, a semi-professional club based in Kingston, New York, that participates in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL). In 2017, Macklin helped the team to its first-ever North Atlantic Division championship and qualification for the U.S. Open Cup. While with Stockade, Macklin was selected to the NPSL National Team of the Week the week they won their championship.

Macklins connection to Singapore started in 2019 when he was a player for Singapore Football Club, the top amateur club in Singapore, that compete in the prestigious Cosmopolitan League. He was also the head coach for the teams campaign in the ESPZEN League and Tournament. In one season, Macklin led the team to the championship of the ESPZEN Tournament and a runner-up finish in the ESPZEN League.

Jorge Guillen-Lopez

Assistant Coach

Pomona-Pitzer

Division 3

Assistant Men's Soccer Coach at Pomona-Pitzer 

NCAA Division 3 schools located in Claremont, CA and compete in the SCIAC conference

Liam Vance

Assistant Coach

St. Olaf

Division 3

Liam Vance '24 is in his first season as an assistant coach for the St. Olaf men's soccer program in 2024-25 following a four-year career as an Ole.

After his first year was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Vance played in 64 games and started 25 times for St. Olaf from 2021-23, tallying 21 points on seven goals and seven assists. He was part of the winningest three-year run in program history, as his teams went a combined 54-11-6 (.803) overall and 25-2-3 (.883) in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) play, while winning two MIAC regular-season titles, two MIAC Playoff titles, and the 2023 NCAA Division III national championship. Prior to its first national title, St. Olaf made back-to-back runs to the "Sweet 16" in 2021 and 2022.

Jonathan Hood

Assistant Coach

Colorado College

Division 3

Jonathan Hood was hired as the men's soccer assistant coach in March of 2018 after coaching for three Seasons at St. Lawrence University.

Prior to joining the Colorado College Coaching staff Hood served as the Assistant Men's Soccer Coach at St. Lawrence University where he helped the saints make two NCAA tournament appearances including a sweet 16 appearance in 2015.  In addition to on the field coaching of 1 NSCAA All-American, 4 NSCAA Regional All-Americans, and 25 All League Selections, Hood served as the recruiting coordinator. 

Prior to joining the Saints staff Hood was an assistant at Immaculata University in Pennsylvania. 

Hood also has additional coaching experience at High School and Club Levels. 

Hood graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in 2010 with a degree in Sports Management. The Rosemont, Pa. native was a three-year letter winner for the mens soccer team and helped the Battling Bishops to three North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) championships and three NCAA tournament appearances; reaching the national semifinals as a freshman in 2006.  

Chris Keller

Head Coach

Wabash (IN)

Division 3

Begins his 12th season as the Little Giants' head coach in 2023

Three-time North Coast Athletic Conference Coach of the Year (2014, 2017, 2019)

Named Regional Coach of the Year in 2014

 Wabash team earned a sixth consecutive berth to the North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament and seventh in ten years under Keller.

Cristian Aleman was named to the 2021 United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division III All-America Third Team, becoming the first Wabash player to earn All-America honors since 1998. Forty players have earned All-NCAC honors under Keller, with 11 earning all-district or all-region honors.

Michael Tanchevski was named the 2019 NCAC Defensive Player of the Year, earned All-Region and Scholar All-Region honors, and capped his career by earning an NCAA Post Graduate Scholarship.

Came to Wabash from Allegheny College where he served as an assistant coach.

Graduated from the University of the Southwest where he earned a bachelor's of science degree in psychology in 2005. He also earned a master's of science in curriculum and instruction from Southwest in 2009. Keller and his wife, Kate, live in Crawfordsville with their two children.

Jose Cedeno

Head Coach

Whitman

Division 3

Cedeno was named the head coach of Whitmans mens soccer program in May 2015.

Cedeno came to Whitman via the Belmont United Soccer Club in Belmont, California, where he had been the Director of Coaching and Player Development since August 2012. During his stint with Belmont Cedeno also traveled to London, England, in the summer of 2014 where he worked as a volunteer academy coach for the U9U18 boys of the Crystal Palace F.C.

Though most recently from the club environment Cedeno is no stranger to collegiate soccer nor Division III and its philosophies.

At Hunter (N.Y.) College Cedeno headed the men's soccer program from 20052011. Tabbed the City University N.Y. Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) coach of the year in 2008 he captured conference titles in 2008 and 2010 earning trips into the NCAA D-III tournament. His squad in 2009 played its way into the CUNYAC championship game, falling one win short of stringing together three consecutive trips to nationals.

Athletic Director Dean Snider likes the experiences Cedeno brings from those successful years at Hunter. "(Cedeno) built a championship program before and he clearly has the skills and networking to bring a championship to Whitman College."

Cedeno also believes his time at Hunter will be helpful in his transition to Whitman.

"Working at Hunter in New York City with a diverse group of student-athletes taught me that regardless of the player's culture or background, recruiting is about finding the right match," explains Cedeno. "There are student-athletes who will thrive in the Whitman College setting and the coaching staff will be committed to seeking out those players and bringing them into the program and the college."

Cedeno learned about Whitman, his potential players and their program during his interview process and came away impressed.

"It is an honor to work at an institution with such a highly-regarded academic reputation, and with a great group of young men," Cedeno offered. "I believe the men's soccer program has a great deal of potential and am excited to begin working on building it into a national contender."

A holder of the United States Soccer Federation "A" license Cedeno earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in modern languages (Spanish) from Saint Peter's (N.J.) College, now University, in 2002. He went on to gain his Master of Science degree in sport management from Brooklyn College in 2011.

Career Record at Whitman College

Miguel Mendoza

Graduate Assistant

Concordia (CA)

Division 2

Miguel Mendoza is in his second season as a assistant coach with the Concordia University Irvine mens soccer team.
 
Mendoza played for the Eagles from 2014-2017 and earned his bachelors degree in exercise sports science (ESS). As a player, he was named 2016 PacWest Newcomer of the Year and was voted Second Team All-PacWest that same season.
 
As a Graduate assistant Mendoza has just finished his Masters in Coaching and Athletic Administration (MCAA). Mendoza serves as the Technical coach for both the Mens and Womens Soccer Teams at CUI. 

Alan McClintock

Assistant Coach

Drew

Division 3

McClintock joined head coach Lenny Armuth's coaching staff as a in 2015. 
In 2017, he helped guide the Rangers to the Landmark Conference title as well as a berth in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Division III tournament.
Coach McClintock is Sporting Director of FC Motown a local NJ Natioanl powerhouse semi pro adult/college program in USL2, NPSL & US open Cup. 
Holds a full time role as the Director of Soccer & Education at USA Sport Group a youth sports provision organization. 


A Northern Ireland native, graduated from Liverpool John Moore's University in England.  He brings over 19 years of experience in coaching youth soccer both here in the United States and in the United Kingdom.
His soccer coaching licenses include USSF B, FA Level 1 & 2, USC Director of Coaching, National, Advanced & Premier Diplomas.

Russell Gray

Austin

Division 3

Russell Gray joined the Concordia University mens soccer program as Assistant Coach in 2024.
Over two seasons he has helped lead the program to a combined 18-9-9 record, earning regional
top-10 rankings, 13 All-Conference selections, and 20 All-Academic team honorees.


Gray has a masters degree in Soccer Coaching and Team Management from The Real Madrid
Graduate School in Madrid, Spain. While pursuing his degree overseas, Gray participated in
coaching clinics at several professional clubs in Spain and Portugal, including Real Madrid,
Atlético de Madrid, Sevilla FC, FC Porto, Sporting Braga FC, and SL Benfica. Gray also served as an
assistant coach in Madrid for a top-tier boys U16 academy team.


In 2022-2023, Gray served as a volunteer assistant coach for the mens soccer program at his alma
mater, LeTourneau University, where he assisted with the Spring 2023 training program and
provided recruiting support.


Gray holds a USSF C and a UEFA C License in addition to many other licenses and certifications
from the USSF, UEFA, and United Soccer Coaches. Grays coaching background also includes
experience coaching at the elite youth level for competitive teams at Capital City SC, LALIGA
Academy, and the FC Dallas youth program.


Gray played collegiately for four years at LeTourneau University, starting in 62 of 68 career
matches. He received All-Conference and Academic All-Conference honors three times each from
the American Southwest Conference. From 2019 to 2022, Gray led LeTourneau both in total goals
scored and total points. He was elected team captain for two consecutive seasons. He was also
the only soccer athlete in ASC conference history to win the Conference Sportsmanship Athlete of
the Year Award on two separate occasions. He played at the semi-professional level for 3 years
with Texas United FC (USL-2) and Dallas City FC (NPSL).


Gray received his Bachelor of Science degree in Education from LeTourneau University. He is a
certified classroom teacher through the Texas Education Agency and has received formal Mental
Health First Aid training.


Originally from Plano, TX, Gray was a standout three-sport athlete in high school. He played for 13
years in the FC Dallas Youth and Liverpool International Academy programs. Gray enjoys attending
international soccer matches and spending time with his family in his free time.

Graeme Jaap

Head Coach

Cal State - Monterey Bay

Division 2

After a stint as mens soccer assistant coach at Stetson University, Graeme Jaap takes over as the assistant coach at Cal State - Monterey Bay.
 
Jaap comes to Stetson after spending the 2016 season at Florida International, helping the Panthers reach the finals of the Conference USA Tournament. Prior to his time in Miami, Jaap spent five years on staff at Rollins College.
 
"I am thrilled to have Graeme as a part of the program here at Stetson," Stetson head coach Kyle Gookins said. "He has incredible college soccer experience and a vast recruiting network both domestically and internationally.  He is an extremely hardworking individual, and brings great energy to the locker room and training ground.  He fits right in with our values and will help drive the culture and the program forward." 

During his time at Rollins, Jaap helped lead the Tars to a 70-23-5 overall record, three Sunshine State Conference titles and four NCAA Tournament appearances.
 
"I couldn't be more excited to join the Stetson coaching staff," Jaap said. "The opportunity to work with Kyle was too good to pass up. Kyle has worked under some of the best coaches in the college game as an assistant, and has a wealth of soccer knowledge. I am really looking forward to working with him and continuing my development as a coach."
 
Prior to his arrival at Rollins, Jaap served as the head coach at Brescia University in Owensboro, Ky. In 2010 he led the Bearcats to the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship.
 
Jaap enjoyed a successful playing career with the Hamilton Accies. He started his playing days as a standout for the U-18 Scottish national team, earning two caps.

He began his collegiate career at the University Mary in Bismarck, N.D., before transferring to Brescia in 2003. He earned NAIA All-American honors in 2004 before battling injury the next two years.

Jaap graduated from Brescia in 2006 with a degree in Business, focusing on Human Resources. Prior to coming to Rollins, he developed talent in Kentucky, coaching club in Owensboro.

George Nazario

Head Coach

College of New Jersey

Division 3

Nazario has compiled an overall record of 209-153-43. He captured his 200th career coaching win last fall with a 5-0 victory over York College (NY)/ Nazario has enjoyed consistent success, commandeering TCNJs soccer program to 13 winning seasons during his tenure. The Lions have tallied double-digit wins in nine of those years and won 17 games in back-to-back seasons in 1996 and 1997. In 2015, the Lions posted a 10-5-2 overall mark, defeating three teams ranked in the top 25. TCNJ has competed in four NCAA Division III Championship tournaments during Nazarios reign, including a national championship title in 1996. The Lions boast a record of 14-3 in the NCAA tournament during those four trips and were national runner-up in 1997. In 2010, TCNJ posted a record of 9-6-4 (7-1-1 NJAC) and finished first in the conference regular season standings. As a result, Nazario was named the 2010 NJAC Coach of the Year. The Lions advanced to the NJAC tournament championship game before falling to Kean University 1-0 in double overtime. Nazario has twice been named NCSCAA Metro Regional Coach of the Year, making him a candidate for the NSCAA National Division III Coach of the Year. The first was in 1996 when Nazario guided his troops to capturing the schools first-ever mens soccer NCAA national championship. He won the award a second time in 2005 when the Lions went 16-3 and advanced to the NCAA quarterfinal match. In October of 2011, the 1996 mens soccer team that captured the NCAA national championship title was inducted into TCNJ's Athletic Alumni Hall of Fame. Nazario had an exceptional playing career earning All-American honors at Union High School and winning a national championship with the Union Lancers Under-19 Team in 1987. In college, he led Seton Hall University to three Big East Conference championships and four NCAA Division I Championship tournament appearances in 1986, 1987, 1988, and 1990. He was twice named Big East Player of the Year in 1987 and 1990 and served as the Pirates team captain in 1990. Following his collegiate career, Nazario was a member of the Puerto Rican National Soccer Team from 1992 to 1998. Prior to taking over TCNJs mens soccer program, Nazario served as an assistant mens soccer coach for Seton Hall University for three seasons. He served as the athletic director of the Union Lancers Youth Club from 1995 until 1997 and also served as head coach of the Union Lancers Under-16 Youth Team. Nazario is currently head coach of the Under-18 PDA Larsson Team affiliated with the Players Development Academy (PDA). In January of 2007, Nazario was married to Carol Pierce. The couple resides in Hightstown, NJ.  


George Nazario
Head Men's Soccer Coach


Seton Hall University 91 Year of Service: 22nd Hometown: Union, NJ Education: BA, Communications Entering his 22nd season as head coach of The College of New Jersey mens soccer program, George Nazario has compiled an overall record of 209-153-43. He captured his 200th career coaching win last fall with a 5-0 victory over York College (NY)/ Nazario has enjoyed consistent success, commandeering TCNJs soccer program to 13 winning seasons during his tenure. The Lions have tallied double-digit wins in nine of those years and won 17 games in back-to-back seasons in 1996 and 1997. In 2015, the Lions posted a 10-5-2 overall mark, defeating three teams ranked in the top 25. TCNJ has competed in four NCAA Division III Championship tournaments during Nazarios reign, including a national championship title in 1996. The Lions boast a record of 14-3 in the NCAA tournament during those four trips and were national runner-up in 1997. In 2010, TCNJ posted a record of 9-6-4 (7-1-1 NJAC) and finished first in the conference regular season standings. As a result, Nazario was named the 2010 NJAC Coach of the Year. The Lions advanced to the NJAC tournament championship game before falling to Kean University 1-0 in double overtime. Nazario has twice been named NCSCAA Metro Regional Coach of the Year, making him a candidate for the NSCAA National Division III Coach of the Year. The first was in 1996 when Nazario guided his troops to capturing the schools first-ever mens soccer NCAA national championship. He won the award a second time in 2005 when the Lions went 16-3 and advanced to the NCAA quarterfinal match. In October of 2011, the 1996 mens soccer team that captured the NCAA national championship title was inducted into TCNJ's Athletic Alumni Hall of Fame. Nazario had an exceptional playing career earning All-American honors at Union High School and winning a national championship with the Union Lancers Under-19 Team in 1987. In college, he led Seton Hall University to three Big East Conference championships and four NCAA Division I Championship tournament appearances in 1986, 1987, 1988, and 1990. He was twice named Big East Player of the Year in 1987 and 1990 and served as the Pirates team captain in 1990. Following his collegiate career, Nazario was a member of the Puerto Rican National Soccer Team from 1992 to 1998. Prior to taking over TCNJs mens soccer program, Nazario served as an assistant mens soccer coach for Seton Hall University for three seasons. He served as the athletic director of the Union Lancers Youth Club from 1995 until 1997 and also served as head coach of the Union Lancers Under-16 Youth Team. Nazario is currently head coach of the Under-18 PDA Larsson Team affiliated with the Players Development Academy (PDA). In January of 2007, Nazario was married to Carol Pierce. The couple resides in Hightstown, NJ.

Robert Cummings

Head Coach

Missouri S&T

Division 2

Just took over at Missouri S&T this August 8 2018.  Before here I was at Cal State Monterey Bay where I guided the program twice to National Rankings and 4 times to Regional Rankings.  Prior to Cal State Monterey  Bay I was the Associate Head Coach at Midwestern State University where I was named Regional Coaching Staff of the year in 2007, 2008 and 2010.  I helped the program to reach two NCAA Final Fours and assisted the program to their first number 1 National Ranking.  Three times we finished Ranked in the top 5 in the Nation.  I coached at NAIA Bethel University in Tennessee and guided the program both years to the NAIA National Tournament as well as brought the programs first ever Conference Tournament Title.  In 2006 I was named Regional Coach of the Year and finalists for National Coach of the Year.  I have coached several Academic All-Americans as well as many All-Americans.  I have guided several players that have play professionally domestically and Internationally.

Trey Gregory

Associate Head Coach

Montevallo

Division 2

Trey Gregory is entering his seventh season with the University of Montevallo men's soccer program and second as Associate Head Coach. 

Gregory joined the Falcons in 2016 as an assistant after spending one year as the assistant coach for the women's soccer program at Bethany College, a NAIA institution in Lindsborg, Kansas.

Gregory also served as a volunteer assistant coach for the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) men's soccer team.

Gregory, who grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, played at Oak Mountain High school before playing collegiately at UAB.

Gregory currently holds a USSF National C license.

Andy Kohel

Head Coach

Johnson & Wales (CO)

Division D3

Andy Kohel was named head men's soccer coach at Johnson & Wales University in January 2018. Kohel comes to JWU after serving as an assistant coach at Colorado College for the last three seasons.

While a member of the Tiger's coaching staff, Kohel helped coach the squad to a 41-10-9 record over three years and saw numerous players recognized for Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) and United Soccer Coaches (USC) honors. As an assistant for Colorado College, Kohel was charged with video analysis, scouting, planning trainings and coordinating on-campus visits for recruits among other tasks. He has also worked with Rush Pikes Peak Soccer Club since January 2016, overseeing youth player development as part of the coaching staff.

Before joining the CC coaching staff, Kohel spent four seasons as an assistant at his alma mater, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. During his tenure, the Titans went 48-18-11 and captured the 2014 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) championship and earned a spot in the 2013 NCAA Division III Championship.

Alongside his work with the Titans, Kohel also worked with FC Green Bay Soccer Club as a member of the coaching staff.

Kohel played his undergraduate career at UW-Oshkosh and was a four-year starter for the Titans. UW-Oshkosh went 52-16-11 in his career and as a senior advanced to the national semifinals of the NCAA tournament after going 20-1-3.

He holds a USSF 'B' Coaching license and earned his bachelor's degree in History.

Johnson & Wales University's Director of Athletics Tom Byrnes said of the appointment, "we are thrilled to have a coach of Andy's caliber lead our program.  He has seen the intricacies of successful programs and has seen first-hand the quality of play within the SCAC as we move towards membership in the conference. He has shown he can achieve at a high level due to his work ethic, competitive spirit and "all-in" attitude; he will bring these traits to our program as our coach as well. "

Mac Thomalla

Assistant Coach

Xavier (OH)

Division 1

Mac Thomalla joined the Musketeers in July of 2023 as an assistant men's soccer coach.

Thomalla was an assistant coach at McKendree from 2020-23, helping the Bearcats post a 19-16-12 (17-14-8 GLVC) record. He also helped coach seven players to All-GLVC honors during his time on the bench.

Thomalla served as the head coach of the St. Louis Scott Gallagher (Elite 04/05, IL) team from 2021-23. He also has club experience as an assistant coach for St. Louis Scott Gallagher (ECNL 06, IL) from 2022-23.

Thomalla was the head coach of Woodley Saints FC (Woodley, England) in 2018 and served as a soccer coach for Elite FT (Columbia, Ill.) in 2017.

Thomalla played at McKendree from 2017-20, playing in 48 GLVC matches. He earned all-conference honors in 2019 and helped the Bearcats capture the 2019 GLVC Championship. Thomalla helped the Bearcats advance to the second round of the 2019 NCAA Tournament.

The Reading, England native holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from McKendree ('21) and a master's degree in education from McKendree ('23).

Thomalla holds the following certifications: USSF D-License, USSF C-Licence, USSF Grassroots License, PFSA Performance Analysis in Football Certification, PFSA Talent Identification in Football Certification, PFSA Introduction into Football Scouting Certification, Football Association (FA) Level 1 Coaching Badge, Football Association (FA) Level 2 Coaching Badge, First Aid trained and certified, Safeguarding of Children certified.

Oscar Curras

Assistant Coach

Sacred Heart

Division 1

My name is Oscar Curras Caballero and I am the Mens Soccer Assistant Coach at Sacred Heart University. Originally from Madrid, Spain, I moved to the United States back in 2016 to get a degree and play DI for Sacred Heart University. After graduating in 2019, I decided to start my coaching career in the United States. This past Fall was my first year coaching at Sacred Heart University as a full time Assistant Coach, after being the Director of Operation the past 3 years.

Renato Bustamante

Cal-Irvine

Division 1

Assistant Coach  Clovis Community College - 2016-2019
Head Coach College of the Sequoias 2020-2022
Assistant Coach UC Irvine 2023
Assistant Coach Westmont College 2023


Current MLS NEXT Santa Barbara Soccer Club 2008 Head Coach 


Former player in the USL. Championship, USL League One

Jamie Cleland

Assistant Coach (Goalkeepers)

Delaware

Division 1

Jamie Cleland began his first season as an assistant coach on the Delaware men's soccer staff during the 2022 season.

Cleland serves as the Blue Hens goalkeepers coach after spending the last three seasons in the same role at Monmouth University.

Cleland achieved great success in coaching the Blue Hens' goalkeepers in 2023. Clelands ability to succeed with multiple personnel in net was quite apparent. The assistant coach featured three different goalkeepers throughout the season as the result of injuries, having success with all of them. Each goalkeeper finished with at least one win and one tie. On average, Blue Hens goalkeeping only allowed 1.77 goals per game. Combined, the Hens goalies combined for 49 saves, which resulted in a 59% save rate. The Hens also shut out opponents in three matches. Clelands work with the goaltenders and team as a whole heavily contributed to the Hens nine-win season as well as moving onto the semi-finals in the CAA Tournament.

Cleland helped guide Monmouth to one of the best seasons in program history in the spring of 2021. The Hawks won the MAAC Championship as the No. 6 seed, and defeated Bowling Green in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. By the end of the season, Monmouth was receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches Poll and had an RPI as high as nine. The team won four straight road games en route to the conference championship, including a victory at No. 1 Quinnipiac. Under Cleland's guidance, Sean Murray was tabbed the MAAC Co-Goalkeeper of the Year.

Monmouth won eight matches last fall, and advanced to the MAAC Tournament Semifinals. Murray led the conference with a 1.06 goals against average while earning Second Team All-MAAC recognition.

Cleland has also been the director of goalkeeping at TSF Academy in Lincoln Park, N.J. during the last two years. Additionally, he previously served as head goalkeeper coach at Cedar Stars Academy and Arsenal Soccer Schools USA.

Cleland was a two-year starter at St. Peters University, where he earned his degree in sports management in May, 2017.

Roosevelt Peters

Maryville Saint Louis

Division 2

Maryville University men's soccer hired Roosevelt Peters as the program's new assistant coach for the 2024 season. He comes to Maryville University after spending the last three seasons as an assistant men's soccer coach at Oklahoma Wesleyan University of the NAIA.
 
Peters is originally from Abuja, Nigeria, where he represented the National team at the U13 and U15 levels in international competitions. He also attended the Pre-Olympic Camp for Nigeria.
 
He is coming off a 2023 campaign where he assisted OKWU in winning both the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference Regular Season and Tournament Championships. The program posted an overall record of 17-2-5 and appeared in the NAIA National Tournament semifinals. Additionally, he and the entire staff were awarded the NAIA Men's Central Staff of the Year.
 
In three seasons with the Eagles, Peters helped them to three conference regular season championships, three conference tournament championships, and three NAIA National Tournament appearances while being ranked in the NAIA's Top 25 in all three campaigns.
 
Before his time at Oklahoma Wesleyan, Peters was named the youngest head coach in NAIA history at Bacone College in Muskogee, Okla. He spent two seasons as the men's and women's head coach and led a rebuilding process for a program that had only one player on the men's team and four on the women's squad. Within a year, the men at Bacone had 26 players and the women grew to 16 players. Both programs achieved their first wins in over two years after hiring Peters.
 
He sharpened his coaching by participating in the UPSL Division 2 with Side FC 92 in the summer of 2020, while also serving as head coach for Muskogee Soccer Club U19 (currently the WSA South 02 boys). Peters helped guide the team to a runner-up in the second division of the Oklahoma Premier Championship.
 
Peters also coached the 2010 boys at Northeast Oklahoma Futball Club (NEOFC) Owasso in 2021. He went on to win the Red River, National Premier League (NPL) U13 Division 2 Championship in the 2022-23 season. Peters was later promoted to Program Director. He also served as an adjunct coach at various high schools in Oklahoma, including Bartlesville Girls, Oologah Boys, Oologah Girls, and Edison Preparatory Girls.
 
Peters earned his MBA in Organizational Leadership in 2023 from Oklahoma Wesleyan University and a bachelor of science in Business Administration from Bacone College in 2019. He also holds a USSF C National Coaching License and will be pursuing his B shortly.
 
Peters is the son of James Peters, a renowned FIFA and CAF Coaching Accessor and Instructor who has coached at the highest level with the Nigerian National teams.

Willy Allgeier

Volunteer Assistant Coach

Chapman

Division 3

Chapman University