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Academy Staff

Academy Director Ante Jazic

Current Assistant Coach for US Youth National Soccer Team

Former Coach for Canadian Youth National Soccer Teams

7 Year Starter within the MLS

  • LA Galaxy
  • Chivas USA

10 Year Starter within European Leagues

  • Hajduk Split (Croatia)
  • Rapid Vienna (Austria)
  • Kuban Krasnodar (Russia)

Captain and Member of Senior Canadian National Team (15 Years)

Retains USSF “A” Coaching License


Nick Doyle (2006's Coach)

Current Head Coach for Little Rock Rangers

Assistant Coach for Hendrix Warriors

Former graduate assistant at the University of Central Arkansas

Former UCA soccer player and captain

Club's first captain from 2016-2021 while also winning the club's first ever trophy


Will Montgomery (2007's, EPA Coach)

ASA Coaching Commissioner
 

ASA Board Member

Leadership of Greater Little Rock Class of XXIII

Played for the Arkansas Diamonds of the SISL/USISL

Played for the University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Retains a USSF “A” License

Retains a USSF Grassroots Instructor License

Retains a USSF National Youth License

Retains a United Soccer Coaches Diploma – Attacking Transition and Counter Attacks

Retains a United Soccer Coaches Diploma – Technical Development of the Competitive Player


Thomas Milner (2008's Coach)

Former player for Little Rock Rangers (2016-2017 seasons)
 
Former Director of Operations and Assistant Coach at University of Central Arkansas
 
Former player for Central Baptist College

2009 & 2011 Coaches - Dylan Perdue & Parker Apicella

Dylan Perdue -

  • Former Goalkeeper at Central Baptist College
  • Head Coach at Central Baptist College
  • Former Goalkeeper for Little Rock Rangers 2017-2019
  • Goalkeeper Coach for Rangers First Team

Parker Apicella -

  • Former Player at Ouachita Baptist 2020-2021
  • Former Player at Conway High School 2017-2020

2010 Coaches - Geoff Thompson & Chuy Mendez

Geoff Thompson - 
  • Former Player at the University of Arkansas - Little Rock
  • Former Coach at Arkansas Rush
  • Former Coach at Arkansas Crew
 
Chuy Mendez - 
  • Former Coach at West Side Alliance
  • Former Coach at Arkansas Rising

2012 Coaches - Tatum Gombard & Javier Piedra

Tatum Gobert -
  • Former player at Central Baptist College
Javier Piedra - 
  • Goalkeeper for USL Rangers 2021-present
  • Former goalkeeper at Williams Baptist University

2010-2013 Girls Coaches - Trevor Reed & Eddy Wild

Trevor Reed - 
  • Former player at Northeastern State University
  • Former player for Rangers between 2017-2019
Eddy Wild - 
  • Former player at Northeastern State University and Southern Indiana University

Pre-Classic Academy Coaches - Chris Elsworth, Destin Layton, Adan Carvajal, & Diego Gonzalez

Chris Elsworth -

  • Head Coach of LR Rangers Pre-Classic Academy
  • EPA Lead Coach
  • Individual Development Coach
  • Masters in Applied Communication with a focus on coaching, experiential learning and interpersonal communication.
  • Coaching licenses from USSF, the FA, and the Irish FA
  • Two-time State Champion as a player (Arkansas and Virginia)

Destin Layton -

Adan Carvajal - 

  • Former Little Rock Rangers First Team Player

Diego Gonzalez - 

  • Current Rangers U23 Player
  • Former Player at University of Central Arkansas

Ashton Winkelmeyer (FUN'damentals, Young Bucks, Baby Bucks)

10 years inter scholastic coaching experience

5 years club coaching experience

2 years college club playing experience

Level D, E, F, and Grassroots National Certifications

Masters In the Art of Teaching

State of Arkansas Teachers License

English as a second language (ESL) License