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Sporting Springfield

Sporting Springfield

Staff Coaches

Meet Our Staff Coaches

We are here to provide you and your family with the best youth soccer experience possible!

Joe Kofron

Staff Coach

Phone: 417-832-1552
Email:

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Coaching License:
     USSF

Coaching History:
     Founded Tracker Soccer Club (later merged to become Springfield SC)
     Drury University assistant
     Springfield Catholic HS - men's (started the program)
     MYSA ODP

Playing Experience:
     Famed Busch Soccer Club
     Vianney HS - 2 state titles, Parade Magazine and adidas All-American
     University of Evansville - Captain senior year, sophomore/junior season ranked #1 in NCAA Division 1, NCAA-I Academic All-American, 
                                                  All-Mideast Region and All-Midwestern Collegiate Conference teams

Other:
     Married with four children.  Owner of Dental Care of Nixa
                                          
     Favorite Players - 
     Favorite Clubs - 
 

Jack Wood

Staff Coach
Phone: 417-832-1552
Email:


Coaching License:
     Youth Coaching Certificate                            

Coaching History:
     Missouri State Soccer Camps     

Playing Experience:                                    
     2 Professional appearances for Forest Green Rovers (English Conference Division)
     England school boys international (2010-2011)
     Missouri State University - NCAA Division 1 - 2 conference titles in 3 years
 
Other:
     Favorite Players -
     Favorite Clubs - Manchester United



Channler Gannon

Staff Coach

Phone: 417-832-1552
Email: 

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Coaching License: 
    Youth Coaching Certificate 

Coaching History:

     SSC Juniors & Youth Academy

Playing Experience:

     Northeastern Oklahoma A&M
     Ozark HS
 

Other:

     Working on Sports Management Degree
      Favorite Teams – Sporting KC, A.S. Roma

      Favorite Players - Francesco Totti


 

Kayla Seabaugh

Staff Coach
Phone: 417-832-1552
Email:


Coaching License:
     Youth Coaching Certificate
     USSF 'E'                                          

Coaching History:
     Lake Country
     St Louis Scott Gallagher
     Coached younger sisters team                                          

Playing Experience:
     St Louis Scott Galagher
     Springfield SC (dual roster)
     High School
     Missouri State University                                          

Other:
     Finishing up bachelors degree in Professional Writing with a minor in English. Masters and Doctorate to come so I can teach collegiately.  I LOVE dogs!!!  I am determined to meet Willie Nelson!  I have two younger brothers (we are all 7 years apart).
     Favorite Players - Sydney Leroux
     Favorite Clubs - 



Chris Ballard

Staff Coach & Youth Minister

Phone: 417-832-1552
Email: 

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Coaching License: 
     NSCAA Advanced Regional
     USSF 'E'

Coaching History:

     14 years of Youth Coaching experience--Recently with FC Legends Springfield
      Assistant coach with Logan Rogersville HS Boys and Girls


Playing Experience:

     Passionate about the game, grew up in Republic, MO before soccer was "invented".


Other:

      Married to Shana and they have 3 children, with twins Rylen and Sage both players.

      Favorite Club – Arsenal

      Favorite Players-


 

Justin Coffer

Staff Coach - Juniors
Phone: 417-832-1552
Email:


Coaching License:
     Youth Coaching Certificate                            

Coaching History:
     Lake Country
     Missouri Elite

Playing Experience:                                    
     4 year Varsity at Sikeston HS; team captain 

Other:
     Graduated from Missouri State University; married with two children Beckham (SSC) and Makenna
     Favorite Players - 
     Favorite Clubs - Sporting KC



Nick Kofron

Staff Coach

Phone: 417-832-1552
Email: 

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Coaching License: 
    Youth Coaching Certificate 

Coaching History:


Playing Experience:

     10+ years with Springfield Soccer Club

     4 years Springfield Catholic High School

     Colorado State-Pueblo (Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference)


Other:

     Marketing Major at Missouri State University 
     Favorite Club – Everton Football Club
     Favorite Team - Arsenal 'Invincible' squad

     Favorite Players - Clint Dempsey


 

Joanna O'Connor

Staff Coach
Phone: 417-832-1552
Email:


Coaching License:                                  

Coaching History:
                                       

Playing Experience:
                                   

Other:
     Favorite Players -
     Favorite Clubs - 



Chad Jaeger

Staff Coach

Phone: 417-832-1552
Email: 

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Coaching License: 
     Youth Coaching Certificate
 

Coaching History:

     Helped start the original Panthers Soccer Club here in Springfield while playing at Drury
     Worked with clubs in Louisville, Birmingham, Kansas City and Springfield

Playing Experience:

     University of Louisville (MVP sophomore year)
          First Springfield born player to earn a NCAA D1 soccer scholarship
     Drury University - NAIA All-America junior/senior years
          1st soccer player inducted into Drury Sports Hall of Fame 
     Played professional for Louisville Thoroughbreds (USISL)

Other:
Springfield native, graduating from Kickapoo HS.  Chad and his wife, have two sons, Cole and Kai, who both play for the club

      Favorite Club –

      Favorite Players-


Steve Eise

Staff Coach

Phone: 417-827-0366
Email: 

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Coaching License:
     USSF 'D'
     NSCAA Advanced Regional

Coaching History:

     20+ years of coaching experience.

Playing Experience:

     Scott Gallagher Soccer Club – St. Louis, MO

     Played on 6 State Championship Teams (u14- Senior Men’s)

     Played on 3 Regional Championship Teams (u 14, u16 & u19)

     Played on 1 National Championship team (u19) & runner up at U16

     4 Year Starter at St. Louis University

     Played professionally for 5 years Memphis Rogues, Detroit Rockers – NPSL Indoor

     1--Professional Championship with Detroit

     2--Professional Championships with Colorado Foxes

Other:

     Married to Laura Eise, Kids – Cole, Mitch & Halle – all play for SSC

     Favorite Club – Barcelona, Manchester United & Brazil

     Favorite Players – Pele & Lionel Messi

Tom Giovanni

Staff Coach

Phone: 417-619-3289
Email: 

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Coaching License: 
     USSF 'F'

Coaching History:

     Boys and Girls Catholic Middle School

     Springfield Soccer Club

Playing Experience:

     CBC High School

     Missouri State University

Other:

     Bachelors Degree in Economics from Southwest Missouri State University

     Married to Mindy, three kids Tommy, Madeline and Gabby who all play for SSC.

     Favorite Team - Italy

     Favorite Players - Roberto Baggio, Fabio Cannavaro

Carter Beets

Staff Coach

Phone: 417-224-4144
Email: 

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Coaching License: 
     USSF 'E'

Coaching History:

     Carden Arbor View School--Upland, CA--2 years
     Nixa Parks and Rec--3 years

     United Futbol Club--Nixa, MO--4 years

Playing Experience:

     Began playing soccer at the age of 6, in Southern California

     Cal State University at Fullerton--Athletic Trainer

Other:

     Cal State Fullerton class of 1992

     Married 21 years to my first wife, Tammy with 2 kids, Mackenzie & Carson (plays for SSC)

     Favorite Clubs - Barcelona / Team - USMNT / Coach - Brendon Rogers

     Favorite Player - Pele

Emma Lang

Staff Coach

Phone: 417-832-1552
Email:

Coaching License: 
     Youth Coaching Certificate     

Coaching History:

     Fort Wayne United
     417 FC
     Future Stars - 2011-2015

Playing Experience:

     Ohio Elite Soccer Academy - State Cup Champions 2008, 20011
     Indiana Tech - Naia All - Academic Team, All Scholar Athlete

Other:
     Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation , Works at Cox North Hospital as a TRS

     Favorite Clubs - USWNT

     Favorite Players -  Ali Krieger

 
 

Cassie Shurtz

Staff Coach

Phone: 417-619-0572
Email: 

Coaching License: 
     USSF 'F'

Coaching History:

     Coached youth in Springfield

Playing Experience:

     Hillcrest HS--4 year Varsity at center mid/forward
     Co-ed indoor team at LCS - the Squirrels

Other:

     Married with two boys that play for SSC - Andrew in u11 and Jacob in the Juniors Program

     Favorite Clubs - SSC (of course!!)

     Favorite Players - Miroslav Klose

Cory Hercgenroeder

Staff Coach - goalkeepers

Phone: 417-832-1552
Email: 



Coaching License:  
     

Coaching History:

     Goalkeeping Coach Missouri State University Men & Women

Playing Experience:

       

Other:

     Favorite club - 

     Favorite player - 


Bryce Collier

Staff Coach

Phone: 417-832-1552
Email: 



Coaching License: 
     Youth Coaching Certificate                              

Coaching History:

     Fort Wayne United
     Indiana Tech Men's Assistant     

 Playing Experience:

     Indiana Tech
     Crowder College
     Springfield SC - State Cup Champions 2007, 2008, Region II Semi-Finalist 2007, 2008, MRL Premier Div champions 2008     

Other:
     Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

     Favorite Club - USMNT

     Favorite Player - Michael Bradley

Dave Teters

Staff Coach

Phone:  417-773-0298
Email: 



Coaching License: 
     USSF 'E'

Coaching History:

     Helped coach Parkview HS

     Coaching camps in New England for Play Soccer

Playing Experience:

     Parkview HS

     Bears Soccer Club, Springfield, MO

Other:

     Favorite Players - Giggs, Messi and Shearer


   

Jeff Cornwell

Staff Coach

Phone: 417-773-8790
Email: 



Coaching License:
     USSF 'D'

Coaching History:

     Springfield Catholic Middle School Boys -  Varsity & JV
     Total Demize Soccer Club - Director of Youth, Staff Coach 2010-13
     Little Stars Program
     Al Trost Indoor Soccer Club u6-9

Playing Experience:

     Various teams in St. Louis/Springfield, MO
     Pensacola (FL) - Northwest Florida Soccer League
     Columbia College - Columbia, MO
     Ladue Horton Watkins HS - St. Louis, MO

Other:

     Married to Jennifer with 5 children - Danielle, Sam, Reece (SSC), Grayson (SSC), Emerie (SSC)
     Employed at Motorcars International

     Favorite Clubs - USA, Sporting KC, Real Madrid
     Favorite Player - 

 

Christy Kononiuk

Staff Coach

Phone:  417-832-1552
Email: 



Coaching License: 
     USSF 'D'
     USSF National Youth
     NSCAA HS Professional Development Certificate
     NSCAA Level 2 and 6 Certificate

Coaching History: 

     U12-U14  Strikers - Newnan, GA 1995-1998

     U10-U14  Stars United - Lake Country  2005-2009

     Legends FC U17 - 2010

     Rush U13/U14 Homeschool  - 2010 to 2012

     Missouri Elite FC 01 - 2011 to 2015

     Missouri Elite FC 99 - 2012 to 2013

     417 Elite  U18 - 2014

 

Playing Experience:

     Played since the age of 6

     North Mesquite High School, Mesquite  TX -  MVP,  Second Team Honors

 

Other:

     I have a passion for the technical development of all youth players and believe that inspiring a love of the beautiful game will forward their growth and success within the game .

     Member of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and US Youth Soccer

     Favorite Team is the US Women’s National Team and FC Kansas City

     Favorite Player right now is Tobin Heath. I love her skill and fiestiness

     I also have always loved Pele’ and what he has brought to the game

     I am married to Bob and have two daughters Karis, currently at Drury University and Kayla at Gloria Deo Academy


   

Rex Winslow

Staff Coach

Phone: 417-832-1552
Email:



Coaching License:
     USSF F                              

Coaching History:

     Future Soccer Club - 5 years     
     CCR - 1 year
     Ozark - 2 years

Playing Experience:

     Campton Soccer Club (Chicago, IL)
     High School     

Other:
     Married with 4 kids

     Favorite players - Dake and Zane!!  Andrea Pirlo, Johan Cruyff, Geroge Best

     Favorite club - 

Shawn Burks

Staff Coach

Phone: 417-827-6481
Email: 



Coaching License: 
     USSF F

Coaching History:

     Coached the Rowdies,  six seasons

     Started Renegade Pride, ten seasons

     Six Renegade Pride players now play for SSC

Playing Experience:

     Started playing soccer at age five 

     Played at Reed Jr. High and Hillcrest High School 

     Tried out and was a walk-on at Missouri Southern State University 

     Played for Redline Express, winning first U15 indoor league at Lake Country

     Redline Express eventually became part of SSC

Other:

     Married to Jennifer, two boys Connor and Xander

     Favorite clubs - Manchester United & Sporting Kansas City

     Favorite players - David Beckham, George Best, Eric Cantona, Roy Keane, Paul Scholes,

     Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney, and Cristiano Ronaldo

     Ultimate sports dream - U.S. Men’s National Team win World Cup


Ron Rushing

Staff Coach

Phone:  417-224-4836
Email: 



Coaching License: 
     USSF C

Coaching History:

     Capital City Soccer Club

     Lake Country Soccer, Springfield MO

     Southwest Missouri area independent clubs (Boys U9 – Boys U19)

     Parks and Recreations - Ozark, Nixa and Branson, MO

Playing Experience:

     Club – Capital City Soccer Club

     Missouri ODP

     High School – Jefferson City High School

     College – Drury University

Other:

     BA – Drury University, MBA – Lincoln University

     Graduate School of Banking, Boulder, CO

     Employer – Metropolitan National Bank, Executive VP/Chief Credit Officer

     Married to Misty, children Nicholas, Thomas and Molly

     Favorite Clubs - Manchester United & Sporting KC

     Favorite Players - Wayne Rooney & C.J. Sapong


Chad Johnson

Staff Coach

Phone: 417-832-1552
Email: 



Coaching License(s)
     USSF 'E'                                   

Coaching History:
     
Springfield Catholic HS

Playing Experience:
     Oklahoma Youth Soccer
     Missouri State University


Other:

     Favorite Clubs:
     Favorite Players:

 
   

 

Keith Chandler

Staff Coach

Phone: 417-300-2703
Email: 



Coaching License(s)
     Youth Coaching Certificate                                  

Coaching History:

·         For the past 3 years I have been assisting Shawn Burkes coach the Rowdies soccer team 

Playing Experience:

·         I have played competitive soccer since early elementary school through my senior year in high school 


Other:

·         Favorite Club: Springfield SC 
          Favorite Player: Springfield SC Players!

Nathan Miller

Staff Coach

Phone: 417-425-4408
Email: 



Coaching License(s)
           F License                                                    

Coaching History:

·         Coached the Rebels for 6 seasons (Lake Country minor league)
           Assistant Coach for the Rowdies for 4 seasons
 

Playing Experience:

·         4 years of high school soccer 
          13-14 years of recreational soccer


Other:

·         Married to Angela Miller with two boys Jackson and Austin, both SSC players
          Favorite Club/Team - USA and Sporting KC
          Favorite Player - Lionel Messi & Christiano Ronaldo 

Mike Stiltner

Staff Coach 

Phone: 417-832-1552
Email: 



Coaching License(s)
     USSF 'E'                                                                                                               

Coaching History:

·    Kickapoo assistant coach 1989-1996
     MO Elite 2014-15

Playing Experience:

     Mitchel HS class of '83 (Colorado Springs, CO)          
     Varsity starter 3 years, All-City and All-State honors, CO state team and far west regional camp 1982
     
     Missouri Southern State College class of '88
     4 year varsity starter, captain 2 years, All-District and All-Conference honors, 2 time honorable mention All-America

Other:

Degreen in Physical Ed K-12
Wife Shannon and daughter Celia         
          Favorite Club - Bayern Munich
          Favorite Player - Franz Beckenbauer

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Kirk Nelson

Staff Coach 

Phone: 602-471-3624
Email: 



Coaching License(s)
           USSF 'A' License, NSCAA 'Premier' Diploma, NSCAA 'Level 1 GK' Diploma                                                                             

Coaching History:

·         Missouri State University Assistant Women’s Soccer Coach (2014-Present)
           University of Nevada Associate Head Women’s Soccer Coach (2010-2014)
           Scottsdale/Mesa Community College Women’s Soccer Coach (2003-4/2005-9)
           Washington State University Assistant Women’s Soccer Coach (2004-2005)
           W-League Semi-Pro Women’s Soccer Coach (2003-4/2005-8)
           Region IV & II ODP Staff (1999-Present)
           Club Head Coach (1995-2014)
           High School Varsity Head Girls’ Soccer Coach (1995-04/2005-10)
           US Soccer Lead Coaching License Instructor for Nevada (2011-2014)
 

Playing Experience:

·         Played club ball in Maryland/Arizona
          Played some collegiate ball at Virginia Tech  


Other:

·         Graduated from the University of Maryland
          Honors Geometry High School Teacher for 13 years
          Favorite Players - Amy LePeilbet, Elizabeth Bogus, Pele, and Michael Bradley
          Family – Michele, Brock (son), & Brynn (daughter)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Contact

Sporting Springfield
Mailing Address, 2733 E. Battlefield St. #151
Springfield, Missouri 65804

Phone: 417-832-1552
Email: [email protected]

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