Tahlon Drake, A.A.
​Head Coach

As the Director of Soccer for UDA@NMSU, Coach Drake will oversee the daily operation of the Academy. As well as on-field coaching duties, Drake will be responsible for staff development, recruitment, match scheduling, travel and other duties that pertain to the operation of the Academy.

• Hold current USSF "B" License

• Attended the University of California Santa Barbara. 

• Played professionally in Romania, Belgium and California. 

• Played and Coached in the NPSL. 

• Has over 16 years of coaching experience. 

• Currently coaches in the UPSL

Alex Reyes
Assistant Coach U19 Academy

​​Assists with on-field training and match day coaching duties and oversee UDA/NMSU U-19 Academy

• Holds USSF "B" License
• Holds USSF "Y" License (National Youth)
• UDA Soccer Recruitment Coordinator 
• Attended New Mexico State University 
• Has over 30 years of Coaching Experience. 
  • Club Level
  • NM ODP (Olympic Development Program) 
  • Highschool 

Blake Ordell
​Associate Technical Director & HEad Coach

• Graduate of Westminster College, PA
• MSc Business Management
• USC Premier License
• USSF "B' License (A license in progress)
• Former Professional in Sweden, USA and Canada
• Former Head coach at Lincoln Trail College, Head men’s and women’s soccer coach at Sheridan College, Head men’s soccer coach at Culver-Stockton College,
• Assistant men’s soccer coach at Quincy University, and Assistant men’s and women’s soccer coach at MacMurray College.

Siddeeq Shabazz, PhD Business Administration
​STRENGTH, CONDITIONING, HEALTH AND WELLNESS COACH​

• Earned Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate degrees from NMSU
• Played American Football at NMSU
• Eight year NFL Career with Atlanta Falcons/Oakland Raiders
• Certified Personal Trainer

JEFF THOMPSON, B.BA
​​UDA PROGRAM DIRECTOR

A long time resident of Las Cruces , Jeff will coordinate the integration and working relationship between UDA-US and NMSU.

Jeff has extensive experience as an NCAA Division One coach and will oversee the integration and functioning of the UDA academy at NMSU.

Jeff will oversee outreach to the local community and region for soccer development as well as ensuring a fully integrated experience for students in the UDA academy.

Jay Sparrow
UDA National Recruitment Coordinator

Jay will be attending several showcase events around the country. If you are attending any showcase events please contact:
​
jsparrow@udauk.org
(210) 219 7278

Jay, originally from England moved to San Antonio, Texas in 2003. He has a passion for helping student athletes reach their academic and soccer goals. 
​
He is experienced in talent identification and player development. He has identified, selected and provided opportunities for many students seeking an international studying and playing experience. 

Jay ran and developed a successful soccer organization in the USA and now has taken his skills to player identification for UDA across the USA 

Seamus Reilly, M. Ed
​DIRECTOR OF RECRUITMENT

M.A. Education 
B.S. Physical Education
FA (Prelim) England
NSCAA Premier Coaching License
 
Coach Reilly will oversee all soccer operations at the academy at New Mexico State University including team philosophy and playing style.
​

• FA (Prelim) England,
• USC Premier Coaching License
• Lecturer at The Ohio State University
• USC Advanced License
• Former Head Collegiate Coach NCAA III. 
• Former Assistant NCAA 1& NAIA  
• 20 Years College Coaching Experience

Brian Haley, PHD
​Recruitment Academic Advisor

Ed.D University of Toledo
M.Ed Kent State university
B.Ed City of Leeds and Carnegie College, England
NSCAA Advanced and Premier Coaching License  FA (Prelim) England

​Brian will work with each student discussing their degree options, reading personal statements as well as discussing all the academic requirements of degree programs making sure that we find the right fit for the student.  With over thirty years experience as a tenured professor in teacher education he will use his experience to help students prepare their applications to give them the great chance of success in enrollment to the university.

RESIDENCY AND VISITING COACH PROGRAM

Professional and Collegiate Coaches from the Uk and USA will conduct sessions throughout the year

UDA academy will, over the course of the year, offer  training opportunities with visiting coaches from  the UK and collegiate and professional coaches from the USA.

This opportunity will provide greater exposure and development for students to help them reach their optimal potential

MAL SAVILLE
​UDA RESIDENT AND VISITING COACH LIAISON OFFICER, ENGLAND

Mal Saville is a Scout for Aston Villa FC, English Premier League, England. 

​Mal has been connected to the professional game for over 30 years as a scout for a wide range of football clubs across the English leagues including Brentford, Walsall, Cambridge, Leyton Orient. 

Mal will organize visiting professional coaches from the Premiership and English Football league to conduct development training sessions at the UDA US academy  throughout the year.

MICHAEL MCBRIDE, M.Ed

B.A Walsh University
M.Ed Walsh University
​USSF ‘A” License, USC Advanced and Premier License, FA (Prelim) England

• Head Coach at Blinn University, TX​
• Former Head Coach and program founder at Notre Dame College, Ohio
• Coached at NCAA Division 1 and II, won numerous championships and a National Finalist at the NAIA Div II 
• Produced multiple All Academic Americans and All Americans
• Several conference and regional coach of the year awards 

Mick Priest, B.Sc. 

B. Sc Walsh University, Ohio
UEFA “A” License
(Pro License in progress)

• Caretaker manager at Stark, Norway, 2017-19
• Former assistant coach at professional club Maccabi Haifa FC in Israel. 2016-17
• Former First Team coach at Fulham FC, English Premier league 2013

• Former First team coach at Oldham Athletic, English Football  League 2007-2012
• Former head of the youth academy at Oldham FC 2008- 2013
• Youth Coach in the Manchester United official academy under Sir Alex Ferguson 1998-2004

Eddie Puskarich

USSF "A" Licensed Coach, Eddie Puskarich, has been an MLS Scout since 1997. Eddie brings an extensive playing and coaching experience to the "Coach in Residency" Program. He has extensive connections across the game in the USA at the professional and collegiate level.

Eddies career highlights include:

• Over 650 professional games over 19 year playing career in the MLS, NPSL, MISL, and USL
• MLS Scout 1997 to present
  
• Assistant Coach of the MLS Dallas Burn 1997-2000
• Head coach Aurora University and North Central College 
• NIIC Coach of the Year 
• Director of Coaching for Texas Spurs Football Club

​

Jon Whitney

M.A in Football Rehabilitation
UEFA “A” License

• Former Manager of Walshall FC in England 2016-2018
• Former Professional Player at Huddersfield Town, Lincoln City, Hull City with over 200 Professional league appearances 1993  -2001
• CEO of The Fast Zone, Sports Performance
• Human Performance Expert

Ollie Slawson, B.A. 

City of Leeds and Carnegie, England
USSF “A” License
NCAA Premier License

Associate Head Coach Coastal Carolina, SC, NCAA Div I,  2020- present.

• Former head coach at Ashland University, Ohio.
  
• Lead Ashland to their first Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament Title  in 2018
• Former assistant at national perennial program Akron State University NCAA Division I Akron, 2006 - 2014  
• NCAA Division National title at Akron State, 2010 and National runner up title in 2014
• Coached current Major League Soccer and USA National Team players Will Trapp, Perry Kitchen, Teal Bunbury and Darlington Nagbe, 2014 FIFA World Cup star DeAndre Yedlin.
• Former Coach Assistant at Kenyon College, Div III

Neill Mather, B.A. 

Manchester Metropolitan University, England
UEFA “B” License
USC National License
USSF “C” License

• Schools coordinator for Manchester City Academy at the Etihad Campus 
• Senior Scout for Manchester City FC 
• Head coach of Trafford College Academy

• Founder and Manager, Manchester City FC Ladies 1998
• Manager of Stockport County Football in the Community 
• Stockport County FC Youth Team

• Coach For Manchester City Junior Academy
• Former Head of Sport at Ramillies High School, Stockport, England
• Worked in the USA. France and Italy with as clinician ​

Steve Dawson, PhD

B.Ed Loughborough University, England
MA Kent State University Ohio
Ph.D Ohio State University Ohio
USSF “A” License
NSCAA Advanced National License
FA Badge (Prelim)

• Former Head Coach Wittenberg University, 1982-2014
• 5 National Appearances in the NCAA playoffs
• Director of Coaching at a Nike Premier Club, Club Ohio
• Coached numerous Academic and All Americans
• Conference coach of the year, 1991, 1992, 1993
• Lead Wittenberg to their first ever NCAC championship 1993

Tommy Taylor

UEFA “A” License

• 600 Professional league games, West Ham United and Leyton Orient FC
• Manager at Cambridge United, Leyton Orient, Dalington, Peterborough in the English Football League
• Managed Internationally at Kemi Kings (Finland) Floy (Norway), Grenada National Team, CD Torreveija, (Spain)
• Played for England u23 National Team

Paul Bayly

USSF “A” license
Director of Coaching, Coach Education, WA 
USSF “A” license
US Soccer Coach Instructor License 
USC Premier Diploma
UCS Director of Coaching Diploma
​

• Director of Coach Education WA, 2017 to present
• State ODP Head Coach, 2012 to present
• USC Coaching Instructor, 2009 to present
• Director of Coaching Northwest Nationals Premier Soccer Club

Matt Gordon, B.sc

BSC, Coaching Performance  in Football
Anglia Ruskin University
USSA “A” License
FA Coaching Badge, England
USSA youth License

• MLS Colorado Rapids: Director of Youth Coaching
• Director of coaching u15-19, Rio Rapids, NM 2009-2017
• Director of Coaching, Sea Coast, Maine 2017
• Leicester City Youth Coach, Development Center England 2003 2009
• Head Coach Albuquerque PDL 2014-17

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