OUR COACHING STAFF
HERE ARE OUR AMAZING COACHES
Chris Williams
Director of Operations
Head Coach
2009F, Assistant Coach 2009M
Chris has been with Penn Alliance since the program’s founding in 2016 and most recently held the position of Director of Coaching. He has been instrumental in the development and growth of our program. As Director of Operations Chris will continue to provide vision and strategic guidance on the long-term development of the Penn Alliance program.
Coaching Education:
USSF 'C' License
Coaching Experience:
13 Years Youth Coaching
Playing Experience:
Philadelphia University
11 Year Professional career
Ptah Myers
Director Of Coaching
Head Coach 2007M
We are excited bring on Thomas Jefferson University Head coach, Ptah Myers as our New Director of Coaching. As DOC, Ptah has the following responsibilities:
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Act as Day to Day manager of Penn Alliance team coaches and team managers
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Develop long and short-term seasonal plans for the program and each constituent team
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Design and administer the team tryouts and player selection process
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Design the training priorities for each age group and level
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Assist with development and implementation of policies and guidelines
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Organize supplementary skill clinics and camps for the players
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Identify the most talented players in the club and alert EPYS ODP
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Educate players and the parents about the playing at the Premier level as well as the HS Varsity and College playing experience
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Assist players who are actively involved in college recruitment
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Promote Penn Alliance within the soccer community and help with public relations
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Act as the technical liaison between Penn Alliance and the EPYS DOC
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Represent Penn Alliance at State, Regional, and National coaching seminars and workshops
COACHING EDUCATION
USSF 'A' License
COACHING EXPERIENCE
Current Jefferson University Men's Soccer Head Coach, NCAA D2
Former Development Academy Coach
Former ECNL Coach
PLAYING EXPERIENCE
University of Massachusetts Men's Soccer
13 Year Professional career
USA Futsal National Team
Chris Shaw
Head Coach 2009F
Girls Director of College Recruiting
Coaching Education:
Premier Diploma NSCAA
USSF 'A' License
Masters Degree Exercise Physiology
Coaching Experience:
Current Head Coach Temple University Women's Soccer team
15 Years Head Coach - College & Youth
Former Girls Director State of Nevada ODP
Playing Experience:
Methodist University - 4 year player, All-American Senior Year
Kazim Weekes
Head Coach
2009M & Assistant Coach 2007M
COACHING EDUCATION
USSF 'D' License
COACHING EXPERIENCE
Berry College Men's Soccer Assistant Coach
15 Years Youth Coaching Experience
PLAYING EXPERIENCE
Spartanburg Methodist College
Trinidad & Tobago Youth National Team
Shaq Stephenson
Head Coach
2009M
Coaching Education:
USSF 'D' License
Coaching Experience:
Current Head Coach Delaware Valley University, Former Assistant Coach East Stroudsburg University and Lehigh Valley United Soccer Club
Playing Experience:
4-year contributor on East Stroudsburg University men's soccer team & served as team captain for a year
Noah Johnson
Head Coach
2008F & 2010F
Coaching Education:
USSF 'D' License
Coaching Experience:
Penn State Abington Men's Soccer Assistant Coach
Upper Dublin High Boys Varsity Coach
5 Years Youth Coaching Experience
Playing Experience:
Penn State Abington Men's Soccer
James Thornton
Head Coach
2011F & 2012M
Coaching Education:
USSF 'D' License
Coaching Experience:
YTP Trainer since 2015
Upper Dublin Coach since 2019
Penn Alliance Assistant since 2022
Playing Experience:
PhilaU/Jefferson
Harrisburg City Islanders U21 and U23
Reading United
Armando Canela
Head Coach
20011M
Coaching Education:
USSF 'D' License
Coaching Experience:
- Assistant Coach at Thomas Jefferson University
- Summer Youth Academy Coach (ages 10-15) in Chivas FC - La Gigantera, Guadalajara Mexico
- Head Coach at FC Bolts in Boston MA (ages 12-17)
Playing Experience:
-Lehigh Valley (PDL)
- Philadelphia University (D2)
- Baltimore Blast
- Universidad de Gudalajara (D2 Mexico)
Jason Rocha
Head Coach
2008M & 2011M
Coaching Education:
USSF 'D' License (Summer 2022)
Coaching Experience:
Current Jefferson University Men's Soccer Assistant Coach, NCAA D2
6 Years Youth Coaching Experience
Playing Experience:
2 Years Professional Experience
Jefferson University
FC Delco Development Academy
Thorne Holder
Goalkeeper Coach
Coaching Education:
USSF 'D' License
Coaching Experience:
Current Jefferson University Men's Soccer Assistant Coach, NCAA D2
8 Years Youth Coaching Experience
Playing Experience:
Philadelphia Union
Trinidad & Tobago Youth National Team
Maryland University Men's Soccer
Coaching Education:
USSF 'D' License
Coaching Experience:
10+ Years High School & 15+ Years Youth Trainer/Coach
Playing Experience:
Chuck Gesing
Assistant Coach
2008M
Coaching Education:
USSF 'D' License
Coaching Experience:
Former Women's Soccer Assistant Coach at Jefferson University
Playing Experience:
Jefferson University
McKenna Burns
Assistant Coach
2009F
Coaching Education:
USSF 'C' License
Coaching Experience:
Tidal Wave Soccer Club (MA)
Washington Area Girls Soccer
Playing Experience:
Drew University
Marsha Garcia
Assistant Coach
2007F