Meet Our Staff
Savannah United is proud to bring you the most highly accomplished coaching staff in the Savannah area. All of our Academy and Select coaches have played competitively at a high-level and hold licenses for coaching. We believe strongly in educating our coaching staff so they may better equip and enrich our players.
In addition to the amazing coaching staff we have assembled, Savannah United has access to coaches and coaching resources from Chelsea FC. All of our coaches have exclusive access to the Chelsea FC Development tools and methods.
Directors
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Gary WrightExecutive Director
Email: [email protected]
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Gary started his soccer career at a very early age, and like all English boys, dreamed of becoming a professional footballer. His dream was realized when he was fortunate enough to be offered a contract at age 16 with the English professional club Torquay United, under the then coach and former Scottish World Cup captain Bruce Rioch. Other managers Gary played for were David Webb (former Chelsea FC legend), Cyril Knowles (former England and Tottenham) and Gerry Gow (former Scotland, Man. C and Bristol C).
After a successful playing career with Torquay Utd and Yeovil Town, Gary turned to coaching and took his first coaching steps by obtaining the English Football Association Preliminary badge. In 1995/96 Gary was offered the youth coaches job with Premier Swedish club Vastra Frolunda. After a very successful spell at Vastra Frolunda, which included winning the Gothia Cup (World Youth Cup), Gary was offered the Head Coaches job at Swedish Division 1 club Skovde A.I.K. He guided Skovde A.I.K to second in the division and the 4th round of the Swedish National Cup.
After numerous offers to keep him in European soccer, Gary decided to lend his soccer knowledge to the youth of the United States and has been in Savannah now for what will be 21 years in November 2019. In that time Gary has guided the clubs first teams to the National League,Regional 3 Premier League, Region 3 League and State Cup Champions, teams to State Finals, Division Championships, numerous tournament wins and even an appearance in a National Championship (Nike Cup). He has also worked as a coach to some of Savannah’s high school teams and was instrumental in laying down the foundation for the success of the girls program at Savannah Country Day School where they reached the State Division AA/A final four. Gary also helped St. Andrew’s to the final four in their State Championship and assisted at Windsor Forest High School when they made it to the final eight. Gary was the most successful director in Coastal Georgia Soccer's history and was an integral part in forming the super club, Savannah United. Gary is currently the Executive Club Director for Savannah United, a former ODP Staff for the State of Georgia and holds the USSF ’A’ licensed coaching qualification. |
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Keith GunnAcademy Director
09 Player Pool Head Coach Boys & Girls, 07 Player Pool Head Coach Boys & GirlsTechnical DirectorEmail: [email protected]
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Keith lived in the North East of Scotland for 18 years, but it was during a 6 year spell with his parents in Africa as a young boy where his passion for the game was ignited. Upon return to Scotland, he was selected for his local select team and was graduated out of the club's youth program and into the Senior squad who participated in the Scottish Juniors League. During that time, Keith was selected to play in a regional squad which competed against youth academies from the Scottish Premier League. Following his time in the Juniors League, he continued to play Amateur soccer before moving to the USA.
Keith has a Bachelor of Science Honors Degree in Sports Coaching & Development obtained from the University of Abertay, Dundee. During that time, he was hired as a community coach for Dundee United's J League Program, a Scottish Premier League team. Shortly after graduation he decided to relocate to the United States in the pursuit of a full time coaching career. After a brief spell with Coastal Georgia Soccer Association, Keith helped structure another youth soccer club and Savannah Celtic F.C. was born in the summer of 2006. He was a co-founder and helped grow Celtic from 150 players in it's inaugural season to over 1000 players and Savannah's largest youth soccer club in just 6 years. In the Spring of 2013, discussions took place between Celtic and Coastal Georgia Soccer Association about working together, as one club, for the betterment of Savannah soccer and SSA Savannah United was formed.
In addition to club duties, Keith is part of the Georgia Soccer coach education staff and runs USSF license courses for local area coaches. He is the head coach for the District Training Center in Richmond Hill and the Girls DTC All Star team that will participate in Region Camp over the summer. Under 'US Club Soccer', Keith is a staff member of the Player Development Program or 'PDP', which brings together some of the best young talent from South Carolina, Georgia and Florida 4 times a year. He is involved in local area camps as well as out of town camps including Georgia Southern University, University of Notre Dame and University of Michigan.
Coaching Credentials:
* USSF C License
* NSCAA Director of Coaching Diploma
* NSCAA Premier Diploma
* NSCAA Goalkeeper Level 2
* Scottish FA Level 3
* Bachelor of Science Hons 'Sports Coaching & Development'
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Jeff Storey-PittsSelect Program DirectorEmail: [email protected]
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Jeff grew up in Rome, Georgia and fell in love with the game at an early age. He was fortunate enough to be one of the founding players of local club Arsenal Rome and stayed with the club from the 10U - 19U age groups. After successful years with his local club and high school teams Jeff made the decision to play for Brevard College in NC. At the time Brevard competed at the NAIA level. After two seasons at Brevard College, Jeff made the move to Brescia University in Owensboro, KY where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology. At the time Brescia was consistently in the top 25 of the NAIA National Rankings with their highest ranking reaching # 8.
After relocating to Savannah in 2007 he began coaching with Savannah Celtic F.C. and was heavily involved with every program. Jeff has over 13 years of coaching experience and has worked with various high school teams and club teams in Georgia, North Carolina and Kentucky. During the summers Jeff is heavily involved with local camps as well as branching out to coach camps at the University of Michigan and the Alabama ODP Team Camp. He was also the Assistant Coach of the DTC All Star Girls team that competed in Region III Camp.
Coaching Credentials:
* NSCAA Premier Diploma
* Coerver Youth Diploma
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Paul SmithU/8 Player Pool Head Coach, 09 Player Pool Head Coach , 09 Premier Girls, 09 Premier Black Recreational Program Director Email: [email protected]
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Paul is from Nottingham, England. He began his soccer education at a young age by being selected for the Nottingham Forest FC school of excellence under Paul Hart. At 15 he was signed by Neil Warnock at Notts County FC and begun his career as a trainee professional in 1991. After his two years of trainee professional experience, Paul played reserve team level for Doncaster Rovers, Grimsby Town and Huddersfield Town.
In 1995, Paul's journey took him to the USA and a four year career at NCAA Div III, Methodist University in North Carolina. During that time Paul gained many honors including, National Final Runner Up (1995), All American (1996), Conference Player of the Year (1996). In 2011 Paul was inducted into the Methodist University Athletic Hall of Fame. Paul graduated with a B.S in Physical Education and a Minor in Child Psychology.
Since finishing his playing career, Paul has been fortunate to direct programs for some of the most successful youth clubs in the south east. Starting in Fayetteville, NC and then on to Charlotte Soccer Club, NC, Concorde Fire, Atlanta Silverbacks, and GSA. Paul also ran his own Youth club, Atlanta Spurs FC with Ted MacDougall, from 2009 to 2013. During his 21 years coaching and directing, Paul's teams have won numerous State Championships and been in several Region III Quarter and Semi Finals.
Paul is also a part of the Coerver Coaching Technical Staff for Georgia.
Coaching Credentials:
*U.S.S.F National Youth License
*English F.A Prelim
*English F.A Intermediate
*Coerver Coaching Diploma
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David Shuman02 Premier Girls, 07 Premier GirlsClub AdministratorEmail: [email protected]
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David is a Savannah native who has coached with Savannah United for the past six years. He played soccer in college at South Georgia State College.
Coaching Credentials:
USSF National "C" License
NSCAA National Diploma
Coached 02 Girls Premier to State Cup Championship in 2018, represented GA in the regional finals.
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