2024 Coaching Staff
USL 2 Head Coach | Garreth Barker | [email protected] | 657-269-7710
Garreth returns for a second season as head coach with a new backroom staff for the 2024 campaign. Garreth is also the SSA MLS U19s & U17s Head Coach and recently led his U19s to the National finals in Dallas ranking 7th in the tournament. Garreth has worked in professional football in England as an academy director and coach at clubs in League two, League one and the Championship, including Blackpool FC, Morecambe FC, Preston North End and laterally Rotherham Utd FC as Academy manager and U18s coach. Garreth holds both the FA Academy Manager License & senior Youth Coaching awards and a UEFA Pro coaching license.
USL 2 Assistant Coach & Head of USL2 Recruitment | Josh Bronstorph | 404-966-7179
Josh Bronstorph is the Asst Coach at Oglethorpe and will be joining the SSA USL2 staff this summer. A 2020 Oglethorpe alumnus, Bronstorph was a standout in his two years at Oglethorpe and a part of some of the best teams in Oglethorpe history. In 2018, he helped the team capture the Southern Athletic Association title and an NCAA appearance. In his senior year, he led the offense ranked No. 2 in the nation with an average goal production of 3.58 goals per game while boasting one of the most vigorous schedules in the country. Bronstorph also was named PDA all conference in 2018. Bronstorph completed his master's degree in kinesiology and exercise science from Georgia Southern where he spent two years as assistant coach. At Georgia Southern, Bronstorph helped identify prospects for the NCAA Division I program.
USL 2 Head of Goalkeeping and Assistant Team Coach | Xavier Audergon
Xavier Audergon, our Goalkeeper Coach, originates from Lyon, France. Xavier played at the University of Mobile for 4 years and was a captain for his Junior & Senior Years.
Xavier started coaching while in college and moved to North Carolina FC in 2018 where he had the privilege to coach with many talented young goalkeepers who have gone to top D1 programs across the country and some who are now Professional Goalkeepers in MLS, USL and NWSL. He has coached at various levels including USL 2 in North Carolina & NPSL with the Jacksonville Armada most recently.
Xavier is the North & Central America Manager for the Goalkeeping brand T1TAN - fastest growing Goalkeeping brand worldwide. He is eager and excited to become a part of the Technical Staff at Southern Soccer Academy for the up-coming USL 2 Season and look forward to working with the club staff, players, and meeting the supporters.
USL 2 First Team Asst Coach and Match Analyst | Idrees Ihsanullah
This summer will be Idrees Ihsanullah’s first season as an assistant coach for the SSA Kings. At 17, Idrees was hired by the South Carolina United Heat as a Head Assistant Coach/Analyst providing opposition, set piece, and team performance analysis in a season that saw the Heat Win the Mid-Atlantic conference with an 11-1 record and retain the highest goal differential in the nation. The performance saw his side become placed as the top team in the national UPSL rankings for the Spring season while also notably beating a professional NISA side, Savannah Clovers. Idrees has most recently completed another first place season with the Heat sighting an unbeaten 8-0-2 record for the Fall season and qualifying for the Lamar Hunt Open Cup. Idrees has also had USL2 experience working for the SC United Bantams as an assistant coach in a 10-1-1 season that saw a second-place finish on goal differential and a trip to the playoffs. Idrees is currently a USSF D Licensed Coach.
Jordan returns as Head Coach for a second season looking to build on last year's success looking to build on the success of the GA program and oversee the end point of the program with the highest level team in the SSA Organization. Davis returned to Clayton State in August of 2021 after spending two seasons at Columbus State. From 2009-14, Davis worked under Petersen and was on staff for the best season in program history when the 2010 squad reached the NCAA Elite Eight. Outside of Clayton State, Davis serves as a youth club director for Southern Soccer Academy in Atlanta, working as the club's college recruiting coordinator since 2008. While at Southern Soccer Academy, Davis helped teams to State Cup titles, participated in regional and national events, and traveled abroad for coaching trips in England and Italy. Additionally, Davis has worked on the US Soccer Olympic Development Program Region Staff, Georgia ODP, and has previous collegiate experience at Columbus State University (women's soccer) and the University of West Georgia (women's soccer). In 2016, Davis was hired as the first head coach for Peachtree City MOBA in the Premier Development League and also has USL experience coaching with the Atlanta Metros U20 men's and women's teams. He played four seasons of collegiate soccer, splitting time at Georgia State University (2002-05) and Charleston Southern University (2001). He graduated from GSU in 2005 with a bachelor of science in psychology and is currently working on his master's of coaching education and kinesiology degree. As a professional, Davis played in the NASL with the Atlanta Silverbacks along with playing in the PDL in Atlanta, Columbus, Ohio, Richmond, Va. and the NPSL with the Georgia Revolution. In 2011, Davis was the only player to compete in all 28 league games of the NASL season with the Silverbacks. He is also an avid runner, qualifying for the Boston Marathon. Davis currently holds an NSCAA Premier Diploma.
Played at LaGrange College and College of Charleston, Hagan a USSF National C License and is the current SSA Boys Academy Director of North and Northwest. Hagan has been a SSA Director since 2013 following from being a former SSA Kings USL 2 Assistant Coach and returns to his role in the program for another campaign.
USL-W Assistant Coach | Carlie Banks
Carlie Banks is currently going into her 2nd year with the SSA Royals, and first year as player & coach. Prior to SSA, Carlie played 1 season with MOBA in the USL-W League and 6 seasons combined between the Chattanooga Lady Red Wolves and Chattanooga FC. Carlie also played NCAA Division 1 soccer at Louisiana State University. After graduating from LSU, she went on to play professionally for the Houston Aces in Texas and then for IK Myran in Finland. She also had the opportunity to train professionally at an Academy in Portugal. In the winter months, she spends her time playing in the NISL, the 1st ever Women's Indoor Professional Soccer league. In her first year, she received the 1st ever Golden Boot Award for scoring the most goals in the league. In her second season, Carlie was named Head Coach of the Columbus Rapids, making her the 1st ever Women's Head Coach and player in the league. This winter will mark Carlie's 3rd season in the NISL. Most recently, Carlie had the privilege of attending a US Women’s National Futsal Team ID Camp in Pennsylvania, PA.
USL-W Asst Coach | Ben Chedgy | bchedgy@ssaelite.com | 7065259612
Ben returns to the set up at SSA for another campaign as the Asst Head coach to Jordan Davis and we look forward to seeing the reunited staff have great summer. Ben Chedgy is currently in his fifth year on the sidelines, serving as UWG's assistant women's soccer coach. Chedgy does extensive work training the goalkeepers as well as assisting with day-to-day activities of the West Georgia soccer program. Chedgy comes to UWG with extensive coaching and playing experience, most recently as the Girls Director of Coaching at the Lanier Soccer Association in Gainesville, Ga. During his time with LSA, he was responsible for the development of over 150 players aging from 9-19 years of age, as well as the performance and development of coaching staff.
As a part of his duties at LSA, Chedgy also started a college recruitment program that helped players transition into college soccer. In the space of 4 years, Chedgy was able to facilitate in placing more than 20 players into a variety of NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA programs. His resume also includes time working with the southeast region US National Training Centers, assisting sessions and assessing players to be fast tracked to US women's national team. Prior to LSA, Chedgy spent 3 years as the Men's Assistant Coach at the University of North Georgia, where he coached five All-Peach Belt Conference players and one All-Southeast Region performer. He currently holds a USSF "D" license and an FA Level 1.
U20-W Head Coach | Richard Foy | [email protected] | 678-577-8544
Richard Foy returns as Women's USL-Academy U20 Head Coach for the 2024 season following a successful 2023 season. Prior to his role as Head Coach, ‘Rico’ was the Asst Coach of our USL W League side for 3 years previous and comes with a wealth of experience. A native of Bellshill, Scotland, he has extensive coaching experience both in his home country and in the US, having coached within Motherwell FC’s Academy and the Scottish Football Association. He moved to the US and joined SSA in 2016 and is currently Director of our SSA Cartersville location as well as the club’s Senior Rec and Pre-Academy Director overseeing the clubs 9000 strong rec program. Richard has an BA Honours Degree in Sport Development from University of the West of Scotland and a Master of Science in Sports Management from Georgia State University. He is pursuing the USSF B License this Summer.
U20-W Assistant Coach | Sam Helliwell | [email protected] | 470-295-8779
Sam Helliwell joins our Women’s USL-Academy staff for the second season in a row and has also been the Assistant Coach for the Women’s USL in 2022. Sam is from Rotherham, England, and has coaching experience at youth level in the US as Boys Academy Director at UFA Norcross and is now our Girls Academy Director at SSA Marietta. He has a Bachelors Degree in Sports Coaching & Development from Leeds Metropolitan University (Leeds, England) and played Semi Professional soccer whilst studying at University, he currently holds a USSF C coaching license.
U20-Men's Head Coach | Jack Coulton | [email protected] | 770-548-5862
Jack Coulton joins as Men's USL-Academy U20 Head Coach for the 2024 season following successful experience in the USL W League & USL2 respectively.
A native of Coventry, England, Coulton has extensive experience at the youth, collegiate and professional levels, most recently serving as the Head Coach of USL W League Royals franchise. He also held assistant coaching and lead recruiting positions in the Men's USL2 program in addition to acting as the Senior Academy Director of SSA Youth branch.
He played collegiately at Reinhardt University, earning a degree in sports studies followed by a Master of Science in Sports Management at Georgia State University. Jack is a USSF B License coach.
U20-Men's Assistant Coach | Laszlo Halmi | [email protected] | 678-857-8065
Laszlo Halmi, joins the King's as a dedicated and accomplished soccer coach hailing from Budapest, Hungary and has built an impressive career marked by a passion for player development and coaching excellence. Armed with a USSF 'A' License and a USSF National Youth License, Laszlo has been a driving force in the GA soccer community.
Laszlo's has previous experience as Director of Coaching at Manatee Magic in Bradenton, FL, where he made a significant impact on youth soccer development. Laszlo served as a Staff Coach for the PTC Lazers and took on the crucial role of Academy Director at AFC Lightning. His influence extended to the Boys Director position at AFC Lightning, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the future of young soccer enthusiasts.
In his role as SSA SCCL Director and USL Academy Assistant Coach, Laszlo will contribute to the growth and success of our USL Academy program soccer program.
U20-Men's Head of Recruitment and First Team Coach | Jose Bautista | j[email protected] | 470-216-9272
Jose Bautista joins the USL-U20 SSA Kings as Head of Recruitment as well as First Team Coach for the 2024 season, following great experience in the SSA youth program.
Jose was born in Kennesaw, Georgia. Jose has played for SSA in his youth and knows what it takes to be an SSA player. Jose also has experience in college when he played for Reinhardt University in the NAIA. Jose has also played semi-professional at the UPSL level for Potros FC.
Jose is a young coach at only 22 years of age and is very excited to work with such great talent. Jose has coaching experience in the SSA youth academy level, ODP, as well as being an Assistant Coach for Potros FC (UPSL) for a short period of time. He currently has his USSF D license and is looking to continue his coaching career with this opportunity and is on his way to get his USSF C License as well.
U20-Men's Team Fitness Coach and Video Analyst | Juan Gomez | [email protected] | 404-932-5100
Juan Gomez joins as Men's USL Academy U-20 Fitness Coach and Video Analyst for the 2024 season following successful experiences at SSA.
A native of Bogota, Colombia Gomez has more than 3 years of experience in youth soccer development, working with all different age groups, most recently serving as the Head Coach of U12, U14 and U15 SCCL boys for SSA.
He played high school at Marietta high school, and now currently studying sports science at Life University. Juan is USSF D license Coach and now currently working on his USSF C license.