Hometown:
Kingston, Jamaica
I was born in Kingston, Jamaica and raised in Mississauga, Ontario – Canada. After a very successful HS and club career I went on to study and play soccer at George Mason University in Fairfax Virginia. There I gained conference honors, regional honors and a place in the George Mason Men’s Soccer Hall of Fame. I played seven professional seasons, including time with the Tacoma Stars, and represented Jamaica in World Cup qualifying competition.
Growing up just outside Toronto I was fortunate enough to live in a great soccer community and to have a soccer coach as my next-door neighbor. I was always playing – at practice, in any open field, between street hockey games but mostly in the backyard with my brother and the two brothers next door. The most fun being at night when we’d hang our parents desk lights in the trees so we could play night games.
My coaching philosophy is pretty simple – set up the right environment (safe, fun, challenging, learning) and always look to operate in the “sweet spot.” That is the place where everything we work on helps the person (now and into the future) as well as the player. For me team success means having players consistently giving their best effort, displaying the growth mindset (constantly learning, overcoming adversity), and taking pride in both the team's success and the part they played in that success.
I hold a USSF A license and have been coaching for over 30 years. Fifteen of those at the college level, from Community College to Head Coach at both men’s and women’s D1 programs – Bellevue Community College, University of Evansville, Bowling Green State University, West Point (United States Military Academy) and Southern Utah University. I have always enjoyed teaching and have somewhat of a reputation for helping players and teams improve.
When not coaching I enjoy reading books, being outdoors (when the weather is nice) and of course watching soccer! Manchester City fascinates me right now and watching Kevin De Bruyne always makes me smile. I live in Tumwater with my wife Jill and our rescue dog Riley.