Derrick Leeson
Derrick, a former college head coach with West Virginia Wesleyan College, Campbell University and Eckerd College, works with the U18 US Development Academy Team. Leeson, as a player and a head coach, won three National Championships at WVWC. Derrick brings extensive knowledge to our college recruiting program, having spent 23 years as a Division I college coach. Derrick is fully qualified with the English FA and is in his second year with SCSA
Patrick Daka
Patrick has played professional soccer with the Charlotte Eagles for 3 years and was a member of the 2005 National Championship team. He is a former national team player with Zimbabwe, played in the German league, and is the 4th all-time leading scorer in NAIA history with 104 goals for Corbin College.
Dan Efenecy
Dan has over 15 years experience coaching youth soccer; his teams have enjoyed a high level of success and recognition. Dan holds an NSCAA Regional and Advanced Regional License and is a Level 8 certified referee.
Paul Gladu
Paul hails from Burlington, Vermont and played at Keene State College in New Hampshire. Although new to SCSA this year, Paul has coached for 14 years in the Charlotte area. While coaching at Charlotte Catholic, he won several Coach of the Year awards, including Regional Coach of the Year. He coached boys and girls for 10 years at CSC, including three Region III Premier teams. His teams reached the State Cup Final Four a total of 14 times, resulting in 4 finalists, 6 State Championships and one Regional Finalist. During his four year tenure at CUFC, he coached challenge, classic, premier and Region III premier teams. His teams won two City Cup Championships and reached the State Cup Finals.
Erik Gunderson
Erik was a player at Carthage High School in NY, where he returned to coach after playing at Jefferson Community College and Houghton College. While coaching at Carthage, he won 3-time Coach of the Year honors and sent many players on to play in college. Erik is a member of NSCAA Section III Soccer Coaches Committee.
Jeremy Gunn
Jeremy is the men’s coach at UNC Charlotte and the former men’s coach at Fort Lewis, where he won a Division II National Championship. In 2005, Jeremy won NSCAA Division II national coach of the year honors. Jeremy is fully qualified with the English FA.
Lee Horton
Lee is the head coach at Charlotte Latin High School, where he has won 7 State Championships. Lee won National High School coach of the year honors in 2004. He is also the head coach of the Charlotte Lady Eagles, who have qualified for the National Championships for three straight years. Lee was inducted into the NC Hall of fame in 2007.
Joseph Kabwe
Joseph, a member of the Charlotte Eagles, is in his second season with SCSA. Joseph is originally from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe is a graduate of Coastal Carolina University and attended Lindsey Wilson College previously. He has earned All-American and All-Region honors, and was the Mid South Conference Player of the Year in 2003. Joseph also represented his country on the Zimbabwe National Team.
Corey Leatherwood
Corey played high school soccer locally at South Iredell located in Lake Norman, where he was captain of a state championship team. He then went on to play at UNC Pembroke where he finished ranked in the top 15 in the country for two years. Corey was also the captain at UNC Pembroke for two years. After school Corey was the assistant coach under Chris Little at Cumberland College. This past year, Corey coached the U16 Lake Norman boys team promoted to the A division. Corey is in his second year with SCSA.
John Lipsitz
John is the women’s coach at UNC Charlotte, head coach of the 91 girls NC OSP team, and is the region staff coach for the Region III ODP. John holds a USSF A license.
Dino Pacifici
A native of Southern California, Dino started playing at a young age and went on to play through high school and college. He currently holds his NSCAA Advanced Regional Diploma and USSF E license. In his 5th year with SCSA, Dino continues to produce quality players and teams. Dino’s teams have made two final four appearances and won one State Championship. Prior to joining SCSA as a staff coach, he served as both coach and director of the Olde Providence Rec Association for several years.
Romano Paul
Romano is a former Trinidad & Tobago youth international player with caps at U15 - U19 levels. Romano made his way to United States via an athletic scholarship to play soccer at Virginia Commonwealth University. Romano has a great deal of youth coaching experience with the national powerhouse Richmond Strikers. Romano holds his USSF D license and his NSCAA Regional Diploma and has been coaching at SCSA for several years.
Tiffany (Tisdale) Rice
Tiffany is a graduate of Ohio State University, where she was a four-year player won numerous honors and awards. She played for both the Charlotte Speed and Charlotte Lady Eagles for a total of 9 years. During that time, she coached numerous Charlotte youth teams; several NC ODP teams; and was an assistant coach of the Davidson women’s team. She is currently an assistant coach with the Charlotte Lady Eagles. She holds an NSCAA National Diploma.
John Ross
John, in his second year with SCSA, is a graduate of Queens University, where he earned All-Conference and All-Region honors 2004-2006. He was assistant coach of the Queens University mens team 2006-2007.
Mitch Sanford
Mitch is a native of High Point, NC. After an impressive high school career, Mitch attended Messiah College where he was a two-time National Champion (’99 & ’03). Mitch began his coaching career with Goucher College before moving to Charlotte and taking up his post with the Charlotte Eagles. Mitch is also a high school coach with Charlotte Latin School. Mitch holds his NSCAA Regional Diploma.
Danny Sellers
Danny Sellers has been coaching girls’ soccer in the Charlotte area for over 10 years. Danny began his coaching career as a recreation coach for AYSO Region 605. In 2003 he joined North Mecklenburg Youth Soccer Association (NMYSA), where he coached at the Challenge level for two and one half years. In 2005, he coached a team to win the State Cup Challenge Championship. In the fall of 2005, he joined Futbol Club Carolina Alliance (FCCA). At FCCA, Danny coached multiple girls’ teams at all levels including: Classic B, Classic A and Premier. In 2006, he coached a team to win the NC State Presidents Cup Championship. Danny also coached the girls’ soccer team at Harris Road Middle School for two years, winning the county Championship in 2006 and again in 2007. Danny has several AYSO youth coaching certifications and has completed the Safe Haven Coach course. In addition, he has completed the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) “E” and “D” license. Danny is beginning his second year at SCSA.
Mark Silke
Born and raised in Ireland, Mark has been either playing or coaching soccer for more than 25 years. Mark began his coaching career while playing soccer in High School and then continued to be the player/coach for his College. In 1997 Mark moved to Tampa FL, where he coached youth soccer for New Tampa Soccer Association as well as becoming the head coach for Benito Middle School. While coaching in Tampa he took his NTSA team to the semi-finals of Region C two years running and went undefeated in the Middle School league. Mark and his family moved to Charlotte in 1999 and he was one of the first coaches for the newly formed SCSA. Among many of Mark’s successes include State Cup finalist in 2001 and semi-finalist in 2000. Mark holds an E NYCSA state license.
