Coaches
Join Our Team
Azzurri Storm is looking for qualified, positive coaches for our youth competitive program for the 2024/25 season. We strive to create an environment that includes creativity and cognition and includes all four pillars of the game: technical, tactical, physical, and psychosocial – a brains-to feet approach. Send resumes to john@azzurristorm.com
Directors
John Dina
DOC / Club President / Founder
Licenses: USSF B, USSF C, USSF D, USSF E, USSF F, USSF National Youth, NCAA Goalkeeping 1-2-3, Athletic K-12
Coaching Experience: Azzurri Storm, Optimist Club of Soccer; Optimist All-Stars; Pine Ridge Middle School Boys Head Coach; Florida Fire Juniors; Naples Youth Soccer
Playing Experience: Pere Carms High School; University of Buffalo
Paul Williams
(Girls U13-U19 Director of Coaching )
Licenses: USSF National Adult; B Waiver, C, D, E & F Licenses; NSCAA Director of Coaching Diploma; Goalkeeping Diploma; National Diploma; Level 2 Diploma; Professional Development High School Coaching; F.A. Level 2
Coaching Experience: Azzurri Storm Youth Coach (2020-2023); UPSL Men’s Head Coach (2023); Former Florida Fire Juniors Director of Coaching; Chicago Fire Elite Team Coach (2014-2019); Crystal Palace and Charlton Athletic Youth Academy Coach; Seacrest High School Head Coach
Playing Experience: Former English Premier League and Championship Player having played over 350 professional games and scoring more than 80 league goals. England International U21 (1989-90), 5 caps – 3 goals; England B (1990), 3 caps and selected for the England 1990 World Cup Team player pool; English Football League Cup Winner (1990/91). Championship League Winners Medal (1993-94).
Wade Ellis
Girls Academy Director
Licenses: USSF C
Coaching Experience: Azzurri Storm, Lexington Soccer Academy Recreation
Playing Experience: Club Soccer, High School (Male Scholar-Athlete), Various European Youth Tournaments, and Military Friendlies in Hungary
Mark Stuckey
Boys Academy Director
Licenses: USSF Grassroots; Education: Bachelor’s degree K-12 Education from FGCU
Coaching Experience: Estero High School (2010-2012); Optimist (2017-2019, 2023); Azzurri Storm (2019-2022) (2x U8 boys, 1x U9 boys, Miami League, EDP & Pre ECNL)
Playing Experience: Florida High School All County 2003; Embry Riddle University & LeTourneau University (2004-2005)
Coaching Staff
Antonello Castaldi
Head Coach
License: USSF D
Coaching Experience: Azzurri Storm Soccer Club (2023-present); Optimist Soccer Club (2022-2023); Optimist All-Stars (2023)
Playing Experience: Played in Italy at high school level
Ben McManaway
Head Coach
License: USSF D
Coaching Experience: Azzurri Storm, Optimist Naples, Bonita High School, Columbus Express SC (IN); 25 years of coaching experience.
Playing Experience: Columbus Express SC, South Mountain College (AZ), recreational and competitive teams.
Cesar Galvis
Head Coach
Licenses: USSF C; pursing B
Coaching Experience: 20 years’ experience coaching different age groups in different competitive levels from Academy, ECNL, Elite 64, FAL, Sunshine, EDP and NCSA among others. Mainly focused on the boys’ side and ready to pursue coaching on the girls’ side.
Playing Experience: Montclair State College D2, Semi-Pro at USL Level with various teams.
Chris Gores
Head Coach
License: USSF A (2011)
Coaching Experience: Real Salt Lake Assistant Director of Elite Talent – MLS (2021-2023); Real Salt Lake Academy U19/U17/U15 Head Coach, Director of Scouting and Recruiting – MLS Academy (July 2019-Sept 2021); University of Washington Men’s Soccer: Assistant Coach – NCAA Division 1 (Aug 2014-July 2019); Pateadores WA Academy Director/Head Coach (May 2018-July 2019); Crossfire Soccer Head Coach 1997/1998/1999/2002 (May 2015-May 2018); FGCU Men’s Soccer Assistant Coach NCAA Division 1 (July 2013-July 2014); Harvard Men’s Soccer Assistant Coach NCAA Division 1 (July 2010-July 2013)
Playing Experience: Puerto Rico National Team – 11 caps (2004-2008); Carolina Giants – Puerto Rico Soccer League (2008); Team Wellington – New Zealand Football Conference (2007); Charleston Battery – USL Division 1 (2006-2007); Puerto Rico Islanders – USL Division 1 (2004-2005); Minnesota Thunder – USL Division 1/A – League Division 1 (2001-2002)
Chris Williams
SAQ’s” Strength, Agility, Quickness Trainer
Licenses: CPT, USSF Grassroots 11v11
Coaching Experience: Azzurri Storm; Balance University & Naples Soccer Training (NST): EmeritusHealthFitness.com
Playing Experience: Multi-sport athlete at Orangefield High School in Orange, TX; Football at Northwestern State University; Competitive Body-Builder
Danny Diaz
Head Coach
License: USSF D, USSF C (pending)
Coaching Experience: Azzurri Storm; Personal Soccer Trainer; Former DA MLS Tournament Coach; Bonita Storm; 17+ years’ experience
Playing Experience: Adult league
David VanderMolen
Head Coach
License: USSF Grassroots 7v7, 9v9, 11v11
Coaching Experience: Azzurri Storm (2023-present); Optimist Soccer of Naples (2017-2023)
Playing Experience: Collegiate: Northwood University (NCAA Division II); High School: West Ottawa High School (Division I); Travel: Grand Valley Premier (U15-U18), Lakeshore United (U10-U14).
Dayne Atkinson
Head Coach
License: USSF D
Coaching Experience: Azzurri Storm (2015-present). More than 20 years of experience coaching.
Playing Experience: Redan High School Varsity, Georgia Tech Club Soccer
Dennis Reynolds
Head Coach
License:
Coaching Experience:
Playing Experience:
Diego Guzman
Head Coach
License: USSF D
Coaching Experience: Azzurri Storm (2016-2018); Optimist Club of Naples (2014-2017 & 2021-2024) Optimist All-Stars (2016 & 2023)
Playing Experience: Columbia Youth Soccer Clubs; Represented Columbia U16 at USA Cup 1994; GCASL – Naples, FL
Edgar Pedroza
Head Coach
License: Level B Venezuelan Soccer Federation (VSF), Level A Futsal (VSF), USSF Grassroots 7v7, 11v11, Certified Personal Trainer; K-12 Phys Ed Teacher
Coaching Experience: Soccer Coach: Soccer3 Academy (2022-2024); Bonita Wildcats (2021-2022); FIFA Futsal Coach in USA (2011-2023); Futsal Coach in Professional Leagues of Venezuela (2008-2015); Regional and National level Futsal Coach; CEO of CEP Futsal & Soccer, LLC;
Playing Experience: Professional soccer player: Caracas Futbol Club 2nd Div (1995), Deportivo Chacao FC 2nd Div. (1997), Pedagogical University of Caracas, UPEL (1998-2005); Futsal player in different clubs and regional leagues; International matches with Italian clubs: player promotion games in Milan, Rome, Bari, and Lecco
Erick Pachi
Head Coach
License: USSF Grassroots 11v11
Coaching Experience: Azzurri Storm (2023 – ); Head coach U21 Commonwealth of La Paz, Bolivia (2007-2008); Founder/director of DPB Soccer Academy (2002-2005)
Playing Experience: Club Bolívar (1994-2000), Selection Team La Paz (1995) Deportivo Zurich First Div. A (2001-2002), Club Regata’s First Div. A (2003), Chaco Petrolero First Div. A (2004), DC United tryouts (2009), Mexican League – Amateurs in New York (2010-2013)
Ernesto Jimenez
Head Coach
License: USSF D
Coaching Experience: Azzurri Storm (2021-present); Optimist Club of Naples; Venture Sports Soccer Camps; Yuba Sutter Youth Soccer League
Playing Experience: Wheatland Soccer Club, Yuba Sutter Youth Soccer League, Paradise High School
Giuseppe Carvelli
Head Coach
License: USSF D
Coaching Experience: Azzurri Storm (U10, U11, U12)
Playing Experience: Former Cagliari Player (Italy), Drexel University, St. Benedicts HS
Jill Sagona
Head Coach
Licenses: USSF D
Coaching Experience: Azzurri Storm (2023-); Bella Terra Youth; San Carlos Scorpions
Playing Experience: Bay Village High; All Conference; ODP Midwest Region; Case Western University: Team Captain/All Conference/All Ohio; Naples Adult League
Joe Goreham
Head Coach
Licenses: USSF D, FA Level 1 & 2
Coaching Experience: Azzurri Storm (2021-present); Optimist All-Star Coach; Former Miami Shores (2 years); Volunteer Coach
Playing Experience: Bryan College (NAIA) 4.5 years; USL 2 Dalton Red Wolves; UPSL Miami Sun FC; UPSL Miami Beach FC
John Brunner
Head Coach
Licenses: USSF D, FDOE K-12 Coaching Certification
Coaching Experience: Recreational-to-competitive levels including high school and middle school. More than 25 years of coaching and teaching experience
Playing Experience: Former youth recreational, competitive travel, high school, and adult league soccer
John Porcelli
Head Coach
License: USSF D
Coaching Experience: 13 years of coaching experience; Azzurri Storm (2015-present); Optimist Soccer of Naples, Optimist All Stars; Diplomat Middle School (Cape Coral)
Playing Experience: Youth player
Luis Beauperthy
Head Coach
Licenses: USSF Grassroots 7v7 & 9v9
Coaching Experience: Azzurri Storm B-U9 coach & technical trainer (2023-current); U17 and U18 coach abroad at Ducallin FC in Venezuela
Playing Experience: High school, University, and semi-pro soccer player experience in Venezuela
Mark Stuckey
Head Coach
Licenses: USSF Grassroots; Education: Bachelor’s degree K-12 Education from FGCU
Coaching Experience: Estero High School (2010-2012); Optimist (2017-2019, 2023); Azzurri Storm (2019-2022) (2x U8 boys, 1x U9 boys, Miami League, EDP & Pre ECNL)
Playing Experience: Florida High School All County 2003; Embry Riddle University & LeTourneau University (2004-2005)
Mark Wilkinson
Head Coach
License: USSF D
Coaching Experience: Azzurri Storm; Barron Collier HS Head Coach (23 years), 11 District Championships
Playing Experience: Ridgeview HS, Atlanta, GA (1981), 4 year varsity, captain); Warren Wilson College (1985), 4 year starter, captain 2 years
Matty Jollie
Head Coach
Licenses: USSF Grassroots 4v4, 7v7, 9v9, & 11v11; English FA Level I (pending)
Coaching Experience: Azzurri Storm (2022-present); Naples Optimist Soccer (2016-2022)
Playing Experience: Several years of club, school, and adult Rec soccer in Rhode Island
Nader Soliman
Head Coach
Licenses: USSF D, FHSSA Florida High School Coach and Ohio [OHSSA]; A.C. Milan Coaching Clinic
Coaching Experience: Azzurri Storm, Columbus Crew Juniors Cleveland Affiliate AC Premier; GPS; Lee County Strikers; Elite; B-1; 18+ years’ experience; Riverdale High Boys Soccer Head Coach: Program ranked among TOP 5 News Press Coverage in SWFL. Various players went on to NCAA, NAIA & NJCAA
Playing Experience: El Shams Sporting Club Cairo, Egypt; Member West Milford N.J. High; Cuyahoga College; amateur player Lake Erie & North Coast Soccer Leagues Ohio
Neil Oughton
Head Coach, Technical Trainer
Licenses: UEFA C, UEFA B, NSCAA National Youth Diploma
Coaching Experience: Azzurri Storm (2023-present); Staff Coach/SC Del Sol Soccer Club, Phoenix AZ (2019-2021); Director of Coaching/Florida Elite Soccer Academy (2016-2019); Director of Youth Coaching/Tampa Bay United (2011-2016); University of Tampa Men’s Soccer Assistant Coach (2011-2013); Director of Coaching/Cincinnati Kings Soccer Academy (2008-2011); Cincinnati King PDL Assistant Coach (2009); Associate Director of Coaching/GSE Cardinals Soccer Club (2006-2008); Staff Coach/Colorado Storm Soccer Club, Denver (2002-2006); Coach/Westmoreland County FA, England (1998-2002)
Playing Experience: Various Clubs, Semi-Professional, Unibond League (1992- 2001) England; County FA Representative Teams (1998-1992) England; represented State Football Association at U14, U16, and U18 levels; Preston North End, English Championship Team (1988-1990) England; played two seasons as youth professional at one of the oldest and most storied soccer clubs in England
Paul Williams
Head Coach
Licenses: USSF National Adult; B Waiver, C, D, E & F Licenses; NSCAA Director of Coaching Diploma; Goalkeeping Diploma; National Diploma; Level 2 Diploma; Professional Development High School Coaching; F.A. Level 2
Coaching Experience: Azzurri Storm Youth Coach (2020-2023); UPSL Men’s Head Coach (2023); Former Florida Fire Juniors Director of Coaching; Chicago Fire Elite Team Coach (2014-2019); Crystal Palace and Charlton Athletic Youth Academy Coach; Seacrest High School Head Coach
Playing Experience: Former English Premier League and Championship Player having played over 350 professional games and scoring more than 80 league goals. England International U21 (1989-90), 5 caps – 3 goals; England B (1990), 3 caps and selected for the England 1990 World Cup Team player pool; English Football League Cup Winner (1990/91). Championship League Winners Medal (1993-94).
Philip Bates
Head Coach
License: USSF D
Coaching Experience: Azzurri Storm B-2006 Premier (2012-2020); FBA Varsity Soccer, FL Head Coach (2011-2012, 2023-2024); Clearwater Christian College Women’s Soccer, FL Head Coach (2004-2007) – NCCAA National Runner-up (2005); Chapel Academy, PA Head Coach (2002-2004)
Playing Experience: Clearwater Christian College, FL (1998-2002): NCCAA Adidas All-American (2001), NCCAA National Runner-up (2000)
Ramiro Jimenez
Head Coach
License: USSF D
Coaching Experience: Azzurri Storm (2022-present) State Cup Finalist (2022/23); Oakridge Middle School Head Coach (2023-24) Finalists; Pine Ridge Middle Head Coach (2022/23) Semifinalist; Former Florida West (2020-2022); Florida Fire Juniors (2018-2020); Naples Lions (2016-2017)
Playing Experience: Brief professional career with Club “Sporting Cristal” and youth player in Peru.
TBA
Head Coach
Licenses:
Coaching Experience:
Playing Experience:
Sefton Anderson
Head Coach
Licenses: USSF D, UEFA London FA Level 1, FC Barcelona Coaching Certificate
Coaching Experience: 30 years experience coaching club and high school: Coach/trainer Tomis Football Academy London, UK (9/2023-12/2023); HS (GA) Asst. Coach (2015-2017); Dekalb YMCA (GA) U13 Boys Head Coach (2015); Ocala Stampede SC U18 Boys Head Coach (2014); Gainesville YSL U13 Boys Head Coach (2013-2014); Big Sun YSL Head Coach (2012-2013); Tavares HS Varsity Head Coach (2012-2013); Trainer/Freelancer Big Sun YSL U14 Girls (2011-2012); Forest HS Asst. Boys Varsity Coach (2011-2012); Gwinnett YMCA (GA) U10/U14 Soccer Coach (2009-2010); Stone Mountain (GA) Youth Coach (1996-2002) and Trainer (2005-2010); North Gwinnett (GA) Soccer Assoc. Coach (2004-2005)
Playing Experience: Varsity player and captain (1981 & 1982); Division II collegiate player (1984 & 1985)
Wade Ellis
Head Coach
License: USSF C
Coaching Experience: Azzurri Storm, Lexington Soccer Academy Recreation
Playing Experience: Club Soccer, High School (Male Scholar-Athlete), Various European Youth Tournaments, and Military Friendlies in Hungary
Will Haughey
Head Coach
License: USSF C
Coaching Experience: Azzurri Storm (2021-present); Deportivo Tegu
Playing Experience: Indiana University Club Soccer; London School of Economics First XI; Busch Soccer Club (U10-U19), 2x USYS Regional Champion; Missouri High School All-State Selection
William Martin
Head Coach
Licenses: USSF Grassroots 7v7
Coaching Experience: Azzurri Storm (2023-present); Optimist of Naples
Playing Experience: Youth soccer and recreational leagues in Virginia
Zakaria Haddi
Head Coach
License: USSF Grassroots 7v7, 9v9
Coaching Experience: Technical trainer for Optimist Club of Naples (2024-present); Optimist Allstar Coach; Naples United FC (2 years)
Playing Experience: Professional soccer player first division in Morocco; second division in Emirates; NPSL in USA; UPSL in USA