Isaac Brooks, Director of Coaching

Isaac Brooks, a native of Ridgetop, Tennessee joins the Tennessee Rush Jackson in the Fall 2010.  He is now in his fourth season as the assistant coach for the Union women's soccer program. Brooks played three years of soccer during the early years of the men's program from 1999-2002 and will continue to give valuable guidance for the young Union women's soccer program.  In the spring of 2007, Brooks led his club team, the 91 Lady Flyers, to the Division III State Title in just his first season with the team. In 2009, Jackson Lady Flyers club team was a finalist in the girls under 18 DII state championship.  In 2008, Brooks was selected to be a board member for the Jackson Area Wide Soccer (JAWS) organization.  He is a member of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and holds a NSCAA National License.

Clovis Simas, Director, Player Development

Simas represented the Brazilian National Team and helped lead the team to the FIFA Futsal World Cup Title in 1996. That season, he led the team in points. Clovis also represented the World United team as the team captain and helped lead the team to the US National Futsal Title in 2003. Over his youth, high school, and college career, Simas has been a part of numerous championship teams including the Kansas City Midwest Division Title (1999, 2000), Minas Gerais State Title (1996, 1997), Futsal World Cup Title (1996), Flowers Tournament of Australia (1996), Iberia Cup Title (1993) and Span Cup Title (1992). The playing career of Simas also produced several individual honors such as NPSL All-Star (1999-2001), NPSL Rookie of the Year (1999), Kansas City Attack Offensive Player of the Year (1999-2001). Simas also was honored for being the high scorer in several events (Minas Tenis Clube, Flowers Tournament, Santa Catarina Open, and Cup of Spain). Since his playing days, Clovis has earned his NSCAA Advanced National License and is the Head Coach of the Union University Men's Soccer Program.  

Josh Hanna, Director, Development Programs, Coach(Competitive)

Josh Hanna a native of Virginia Beach VA, and is a product of the nationally respected Beach FC.  After playing for both Beach FC as well was the Virginia State ODP team  through high school, Hanna signed with the NCAA Division I Virginia Military Institute from the Big South Conference.  At VMI he was recognized as VMI Athlete of the Week three times, Big South Big Choice Hotels Conference Athlete of the Week,  Big South All-Freshman Team, and the Big South All Tournament player as VMI's leading scorer.   After transferring to Union University, he helped the Bulldogs achieve seventeen wins while scoring 23 points over two years.  He served in leadership positions for both college teams, and has remained passionate about inspiring  players to excel and grow as athletes and team members.  Currently, Josh serves as Head Coach at Madison Academic High-School for girls soccer program.  Josh will be working to obtain his NSCAA National License in January 2010.

Pepper Pratt, Head Speed & Agility Trainer

Pepper is from Jackson, TN. He is a SPARQ (Speed, Power, Agility, Reaction, Quickness) National Certified Trainer and is a professional member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association. He holds the Regional Diploma from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.  Pepper is the head women's soccer coach and assistant men's soccer coach at Trinity Christian Academy in Jackson.  His philosophy is "high intensity training brings high intensity performance".  He naturally has a vision for the best in people and looks for every opportunity to bring it out.

Kirk Childers, Coach(Competitive/Development)

Kirk Childers has enterd his second year on the Union University Men's Bulldogs coaching staff.  He also is currently serving in his second season as the boy's soccer head coach at Madison Academic High School in Jackson.  In 2008 he coached the girls Madison soccer team, and in 2007, the JCS middle school girl's soccer team.  Kirk has played semi professional soccer with the Rocket City United in Huntsville, Ala..  Childers graduated from Union University in May of 2009 with a degree in Physical Education. He played two years of soccer for Union, scoring seven goals and five assists during Union career. 

Daniel Cathey, Coach(Competitive)

Daniel, originally from Paris, TN has joined the Rush during this 2008/2009 season as the Rush Skills Drills Coordinator.  He also was  the Assistant Coach of the 92 Boys Swoosh team.  Daniel recently recieved his NSCAA Coaches dipoma, and in the Fall 2010, is Head Coach of the 92 and 95 boys teams. Daniel was named to the All-District and All-Tournament teams during his team at Henry County High School.  He accepted a soccer scholarship to play at Union University but due to 2 serious knee injuries in his freshman and sophmore years, he was forced to not play.  Daniel has now turned to coaching where he looks to continue his development.  Daniel hold his NSCAA National License.

Cheslie Tharpe, Coach(Competitive/Development)

Cheslie came to the Rush in 2008 when she came on as the Assistant Coach of the 2009 D3 State Championship 95 Girls Swoosh team.   She is originally from Cordova where she played club ball from U12 - U17 and named goalie of the year, 2 years straight.  She also played on the state ODP team for two years.  Her high school team won the District and Regional Championships 4 straight years and were State Runners-Up for three of those years.  Cheslie is now Head Coach for the 99 Girls Swoosh and 95 Girls Swoosh teams for the Tennessee Rush.  She also is the Head Coach for the Trinity Middle School girls soccer team.  She graduated from Union University in 2009 with her Bachelors degree. While at Union she played soccer for 4 years and was named to the TransSouth All Conference 2nd team in 2006 and MVP 2 years.   She holds a Union University record for most assists. Cheslie holds her USSF "E" License, and plans to pursue her NSCAA National License. 

Jordan Thompson, Coach(Development)

Jordan Thompson joins the Tennessee Rush Jackson SC as a staff coach.  He currently plays on the Union Univeristy Men's Bulldogs soccer team.  He has also played placed kicker for  UT Chattanooga He prepped at Evangelical Christian School in Memphis where he participated in soccer, football, and swimming.   As a senior soccer player, Thompson was named the Best of the Preps, All-Metro, and All-Region Tournament. As a senior, he posted 17 goals in 18 matches played. He was also named Best of the Preps, All-State, and a Metro All-Star in football as a senior. He holds high school football records at ECS for longest field goal (54 yards) and most PAT's in a game (8).

Jay Landham, Coach(GoalKeeper Training)

Jay Landham joins the Tennessee Rush Jackson SC as a staff coach.  He currently plays on the Union Univeristy Men's Bulldogs soccer team:  Landham prepped at Station Camp High School in Gallatin, Tennessee where he played three seasons of soccer as the starting goalkeeper. He was a three-time first team All-District goalkeeper. Landham was also named MVP in each of his three seasons. Landham played club soccer for Tennessee United. He helped lead the team to four top-6 finishes in the state, including a high-finish of second place. In addition, he was named MVP of the Knoxville Tournament.