Norcross Soccer Association

Coaching Staff

Norcross Soccer Academy Coaching Staff

Norcross Soccer Academy’s professional coaching staff has decades of experience coaching youth soccer. Each possesses the national or state license(s) that appears directly below his/her name.

By reading each coach’s biography, you will realize that many have extensive playing experience at the highest and most competitive level in the sport. To make it easy to contact each coach, his/her name links to their respective email address.

	Tony Annan, Executive Director of Coaching USSF A License Tony has been coaching in Atlanta for more than 14 years and has numerous successful seasons at the State, Regional, and National levels to his credit. Tony is also an Olympic Development Program (ODP) Head Coach, a Region three (ODP) Staff Coach and a GSSA Coaching License Instructor. Before arriving at NSA, he was the Director of Coaching for Concorde Fire Soccer Club. As a player, Tony signed with West Bromwich Albion FC, a first-division professional soccer club in his native England, at the age of sixteen. After playing there he moved to the U.S. In 1994, he played for Life University in Georgia, where he played four years before graduating with a BS in nutrition in 1999. Tony’s coaching experience has helped place over 45 players in college soccer programs and professional teams. Tony’s latest player success stories are Steven Kinney, who is currently playing for the Chicago Fire MLS Team and Daniel Johnson who is overseas studying and playing at West Ham United Youth Academy.
	Rob Di Figlio, Girls Technical Director UEFA A License Rob joined Norcross for the Spring 2006 season. Rob was a one year womans’ professional league cup winning coach at Wimbledon FC Ladies in London. This also saw him oversee the Wimbledon FC Ladies coaching staff & training. In addition to his NSA coaching responsibilites, Rob was the Technical Soccer Skills & Sports Performance Coach at "Superkick" in Norcross. Before coming to the US, Rob served as a Technical Youth Advisor for "Soccerskills UK" in London, England. Additionally, Rob was the Academy Center Director at Wimbledon FC, which is a founding member of the English Premier League, where he oversaw the youth development program, coaching, recruitment and coach education for ten years. Rob also coached a boys team from U13 through to U16, five of whom turned professional and three who represented their country at youth level. He also had a successful three-year period coaching youth soccer at Crystal Palace FC and QPR FC, both professional league clubs in London. As a player, Rob played semi-pro soccer in the US in the 1980s. Before that, he played for various non-league clubs, including the Anglo Italian League in England. Rob’s personal achievements also include being a two-year consecutive mens’ league winning coach at English non-league level.
	Roberto Sibaja, Boys Technical Director USSF B license Roberto Sibaja is a native of Alajuela, Costa Rica where he played in Liga Deportiva Alajuelense youth divisions for many years. In 2001, he was recruited for the U-20 Costa Rican National Team to compete in the World Cup in Argentina. In 1997, Roberto’s family relocated to Atlanta. He played for Wheeler High School and a Metro Atlanta Youth Club team. He earned a full athletic scholarship and played collegiate soccer for Life University from 1999 to 2003, when he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nutrition. Roberto graduated with a Masters in Sports Health Science and Nutrition from Life University in 2009. In 1998, he began his coaching career. He has coached at various Metro Atlanta youth organizations for seven years, training teams and holding head coach positions through 2005. From early 2004 to 2005, Roberto was Director of Personal Training for Bally Total Fitness. Most recently, he served as the Center Director/Director of Training at SuperKick in Norcross.
	Rich Mealey, Recreation Director UEFA B License, National Diploma in Sports Psychology Rich originates from Hampshire in the south of England and joined Norcross in the spring of 2009. Before coming to the U.S., Rich worked for Chelsea FC in his native England as the U9 and U10 Elite Training Center coach. Additional responsibilities included overseeing schools soccer programs and Head Coach at Chelsea Soccer Camps. During his spell there Richard was part of the full Chelsea English Premier League Team Pre Season Tour to Asia. He also holds a National Diploma in Sports Psychology. Prior to his move to Chelsea, Richard was on the coaching staff at The David Beckham Academy in London. As a player, Rich played Non-League football for various club where he won two League Championships and had several appearances in the FA Cup. As a youth player Rich represented his county Hampshire at U18 youth level. His primary aim is to gain the highest possible coaching qualifications and to become a devoted student of the game.
	Judas Kinchen USSF A license Judas Kinchen played three years at Auburn University in Montgomery, Alabama and one season of semi-professional in Iceland. He has fifteen years of coaching experience at different levels, including Recreational, High School, Club and ODP. He has been the Assistant Coach for men and women at Auburn University and for women at Southeastern Louisiana and Ohio Universities. He is currently the Head Coach of the girls’ team at Norcross High School.
	Pancho Ugarte USSF A License Pancho joined NSA in the summer of 2009. Pancho has more than twenty two years of experience as an international and national soccer player, and is one of the most well-known Chilean soccer players. He began his professional career with Union La Calera, and he spent several seasons playing in Chile before moving to Europe for two seasons with Charleroi in the Belgian League and one season with Giannina in the Greek Super League. He made several appearances for the senior Chile national football team, his debut coming in a friendly game against Brazil on December 9, 1987. In 2007 and 2008, Georgia Soccer selected Pancho as the Boys’ Select Soccer Coach of the year.
	Vince Hayes USSF B License, FA Psychology Level 1, NSCAA High School Diploma Vince has coached at Duluth High School for the past 7 years. In those years, the Duluth Men’s program went to state playoffs in all but one year, making it to the state Semi-Finals twice and the State Championship once. This past season he took a position as the Varsity Women’s Head coach of the High School program. He began his club coaching career at Norcross Soccer Academy in the Junior Select Program. He comes to us from the Forsyth Fusion Soccer Club where he trained several successful girls and boys elite teams. He currently holds a National Youth training license along with a USSF ’B’ License. He also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from the University of Georgia and a Master’s Degree in Social Science Education from Piedmont College. Vince is a staff coach on the 96 Georgia Girls ODP Pool.
	Sergio Magana USSF C License Before joining Norcross, Sergio spent 2 years coaching at Alianza Soccer Club (ASC) at both the state and regional levels. He played a crucial role in assisting ASC in attaining regional premier league status. During this time, Sergio also served ASC as director of the youth boy’s division, U10 through U18. With his family originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, Sergio’s professional experience began with playing in the youth division of Club Atlas where he soon made his way up to the top level team. Before Club Atlas, Sergio played Georgia Youth Soccer with the Mustangs in Dekalb, GA.
	Stafford Zeon USSF B License Stafford Zeon played club soccer in Georgia as a teenager. In high school he was selected to the All County and All State squad. He led DeKalb County in scoring in his junior year. After high school, he played NCAA Div I soccer for Alabama A&M University and NAIA Div I soccer at Berry College. He was All-South and All-American at Berry College. He finished his degree at Corban University with a BS in Business Management. He has provided individual and small group soccer training for many soccer players in Georgia and has over 15 years of coaching experience. In 2002, he was selected Georgia Youth Soccer Association Girls’ Coach of the Year.
	John Drummond Scottish Football Association A, USSF C License John Drummond is from Scotland where he played his first professional game at the age of fifteen. He played two years for Raith Rovers FC, a professional team in Scotland, and five months for Millwall FC, a professional English team. Before that, John was the National Youth team captain for two years (U14 & 15). Having been in the US since 2001, John has attended Georgia Perimeter College and Piedmont College where he was a three-time All-American tallying 86 goals and 76 Assists (247 Career points) in 75 Collegiate games over four years, and graduated with a BA in Sports Marketing. He also has coached four seasons at Centennial High School (Varsity Girls) and was Piedmont College Asst. Coach Women for three years. He will be returning to coaching youth at Norcross for his eighth year. He has been married to Shirley, his wife, since 2000, and has a daughter, Maisie.
	Cory Garner USSF C License Cory Garner is from Anniston, AL. He went to Norcross High School and then to Georgia State University. He started playing Select soccer at the age of eight for TYSA and then went to Datagraphics. From the age of fourteen, he played with a private club named Dempseys FC. He played ODP and semi pro indoor soccer in the "SISL" League where he coached for four years and trained for two years. He has been coaching with Norcross Soccer for five years. Cory was married to Laurell, his wife, in the summer of 2004.
	Mark Tonner USSF C License Mark is a native of South Africa and has been living in Atlanta since 1994. He has been a very successfull coach with Concorde Fire and coached teams at State, Regional and National levels. Mark is a dedicated coach who gives great attention to technical training. Mark Played college soccer for Life University and graduated in 1999 with a BS in Nutrition. He is married to wife Partrica and they have a daughter Calvine.
	Andy Wade USSF C license Andy Wade grew up in Swansea, Wales. He joined Norcross Soccer Academy in the Spring 2007 season and is currently training U11-U16 select players. Previously, Andy trained U12-U14 select players at Concorde Fire. From 1999 through 2005, he trained U10-U17 players at Roswell Santos soccer club. From 1998 to 2000, Andy was the Director of Britannia Soccer Camps, winning Director of the Year in 1998, and was the Regional Manager for Britannia Soccer in 1999-2000. Additionally, he was the Great Falls Coach and Development Program Manager for U5-U15. His experience includes professional and semi-professional play at Nottingham Forest, Llanelli FC and Oxford United, Barry Town. He also earned the Football Leaders’ Award for the Football Association of Wales. He has been married to his wife, Aly, since 2002 and they live in Woodstock.
	Andy Shields USSF C License Andy joined NSA in Fall 2008. In addition to coaching and training youth players at NSA, he is a Physical Education teacher, soccer coordinator, and Head Junior Varsity soccer coach at Notre Dame Academy in Duluth. Previously, Andy served as the Athletic Director and Head Varsity soccer coach at Brandon Hall School in Atlanta. Born and raised in Essex, England, Andy came to the US to study coaching and Physical Education at Elon University, NC. Andy is a certified personal trainer. Andy is the Head Swim Coach and Swim Director at Atlanta Swim Academy in Marietta. He played both soccer and rugby throughout high school and college.
	Paul Buckley NSCAA Premier License Paul originates from Warrington, England and came to the United States to attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. Paul was both an athletic and academic All-American and garnered both conference and regional player of the year awards. Having played one season in the USL A-League with the Syracuse Salty Dogs, he returned to Embry-Riddle as the assistant coach for the men’s program. During his three years as assistant coach the Eagles won three conference titles, two regional titles and attended the NAIA national tournament all three years. Paul also coached at Ormond Beach Youth Soccer Club in Florida. He currently has both his NSCAA National and Advanced National Coaching Diplomas, and has a Masters Degree in Aviation Management.
	Ian Dyer NSCAA Premier License, National Diploma in Sports Psychology Ian is originally from Hampshire , England. He joined Norcross in the summer of 2010. Before coming to Georgia, Ian spent 5 years coaching in Connecticut as a Regional Director of Coaching for Major League Soccer Camps and Director of Coaching for the New Canaan Soccer Association. He was also a Staff Coach on the Connecticut ODP Program and with Soccerplus CT Premier Club at U-15, U-16 and U-18 levels. Prior to coming to the States Ian coached in the UK for Southampton FC Center of Excellence, Premier Soccer Schools and Planet Sport. As well as his coaching awards Ian is currently studying for a Bachelors Degree in Leadership and Management and also holds a National Diploma in Sports Psychology. During his playing career he enjoyed spells with professional clubs Southampton, Hereford United and Aldershot Town and represented his county Hampshire and South West England at U-18 and U-21 levels. Ian is looking forward to the new challenge and opportunity to coach in the Norcross program.
	Greig Munro NSCAA Premier License, NSCAA National Goalkeeping Diploma Greig Munro joined NSA in the summer of 2010. Greig grew up playing the beautiful game in the Highlands of Scotland. He spent 6 years in the Ross County FC Youth Academy and then a year each at Spartans FC and Berwick Rangers FC before making the move to the States. In 1999 he accepted a soccer scholarship and graduated in 2003 from Brimingham-Southern College with a BA in Sociology. After college he had spells at USL clubs the Louisiana Outlaws and the DC Royals. He then coached with Challenger Sports in the midwest before settling in Atlanta in 2005 where he joined the coaching staff at the Cannons Soccer Club. He served as the clubs Academy Director from 2007-1010. Greig currently holds his NSCAA Premier Diploma, NSCAA National Goalkeeping Diploma and UEFA/Scottish FA Club Coach License (C License).
	Matt Humphries FA Level 2 Matt comes to NSA after spending 2 seasons coaching at Buckhead FC in their Academy program. Since graduating from the University of Cardiff (UK) with an honors degree in Sports Management and Coaching, he has been an integral member of the Challenger Sports, British Soccer Staff here in the South East. Matt is 25 years old and originally from Cheltenham England. He played for 3 and a half years while at University and also for a Club Team in his home Town. As well as being a soccer coach for three years at Challenger Sports, he also worked with U9, U10 and U12 teams in the UK and has also worked with two high school teams during this time. Matt has spent his last two years coaching at Buckhead FC with the U12 and U14 boy’s teams and currently holds FA Level 2 coaching badge.
	Billy Coxhead Ga D License Billy Coxhead has been coaching select soccer at NSA since the Fall 2005 season. During his time at NSA, Billy has coached various boys and girls teams from ages U9 through U15. Billy has also been the varsity boys soccer coach at Wesleyan School since 1999. During his time at Wesleyan, his 2001 and 2002 teams made the state final four and his 2010 team made the state finals. He was also named the A-AAAA Gwinnett County Coach of the Year for the 2009 and the 2010 seasons. Former players have gone on the play at Wake Forest, St. John’s, Rutgers, and Wofford. Billy was a four-year letterman, three-year starter, and captain his senior year for Davidson College, a Division I school near Charlotte, NC from 1982 to 1985.
	Neil Lynch Ga D License Neil returns to NSA after a short time as Soccer Director at Buckhead FC. Originally from Ipswich Town, England, Neil played semi professional in his native England in addition to attending Leeds Metropolitan University where he was an integral part of the University first XI. After graduating in 2003 with an honors degree in Sport, Recreation and Development, Neil took a full-time position with Challenger Sports Corporation based in Atlanta. His coaching career began back in the UK, where he worked as a community coach for the City of Leeds and also worked with youth teams from his hometown. Since arriving in Atlanta, Neil has been a successful coach at numerous youth soccer organizations including Forsyth Fusion and NSA.
	Jimmy Carrion Ga D License Jimmy hails from Ecuador and Moved to the USA in 1999. Jimmy has been coaching for the past eight years at various levels of youth soccer and has had many successes in tournament play with his teams. He was recognized in 2007 as Gwinnett Sportsman of the Year and received recognition from the Governor of GA. Jimmy is extremely passionate and enthusiastic about his players and keeps a great blend of family values with player development to achieve his goals. “I believe by Joining the coaching staff at NSA I will improve as a coach and be challenged, I am looking forward to this opportunity.”
	Carlos Tello ESPFA 1 License Carlos joined NSA in February of 2010. Carlos Tello is a native of Madrid, Spain. He started his career with Real Madrid´s youth team from 1992 until 1997, winning the U-16 national championship. Carlos has represented the Spanish National Team at the U-15 and U-16 levels, winning gold at the European Games. He is a ten-time International player with the regional selection team of Madrid, representing his country in the UEFA Regional Cup. Carlos has played professionally in Spain for such teams as Alcorcón, Alcalá de Henares and San Sebastián de los Reyes, playing against teams such as Real Madrid in Spain´s King´s Cup. Carlos has worked as the goalkeeper coach for Emory University´s mens´ team since 2008 and began his first season as the goalkeeper coach for Walton High School´s mens´ varsity team in 2010. He is also an Olympic Development Program (ODP) goalkeeper coach for the U-13 boys´ team.
	Felipe Quintero Professional Goalkeeper - Goalkeeper Coach Felipe played professionally in mexico for Lobos BUAP in 2005. He also helped Irapuatowin to the mexican second division title and advancement to the first division. He began his professional career with Chivas de Guadalajara, training with the first team and starting with the second division team. He also played for Angeles de Puebla Ciudad Juarez and Queretaro. Recently, Felipe played in the USL league for the Atlanta Slverbacks the past three years.
	Lauren Glancy Lauren grew up in Alpharetta, Georgia. She received a 4yr athletic scholarship and attended the University of Georgia where she played on the Women’s Soccer team for all four years. At UGA, she studied Health and Physical Education and received her B.S.ed. and is now currently a certified teacher in the state of Georgia. There she made 'Soccer Buzz Top 100 Recruit List’ and the ’Top Drawer Soccer’ Freshman Team, ’The Most Improved Freshman Award’ and also won the ’Coaches Award’ in her Senior year. Lauren also played R3PL and was on the ODP program from 2000-2006 and on the ESP National Camp at U14. Lauren has coached UGA’s soccer camps and clinics and at Athens United girls program. Lauren comes from a soccer family background that also saw her older brother John play a successful 7yrs at NSA.
	Rodrigo Rios - Rec Clinician, Ex Professional Player In 1987, Rios joined the Universidad Catolica youth system. In February 1996, he entered his first game with the Carolica first team in the Primera División de Chile. In 2001, he moved to Everton de Viña del Mar before moving to Palestino in 2002. From 2003 to 2004, he played for Unión Española. In 2005, he moved to the United States where he signed with the Atlanta Silverbacks in the USL First Division. He was a 2005 and 2006 second team All Star. The Silverbacks withdrew from the league following the 2008 season.