Coaches Biographies

Alex Williams, President - Alex graduated from Holland Hall high school in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he played soccer and ran track.  He then returned to his birthplace of Atlanta, Georgia and attended Morehouse College.  During that time, he helped Morehouse start a NCAA Division II soccer program.  Upon graduation, Alex moved to Tennessee and started coaching in 1999.  Since that time, he has earned his USSF "C" License, won four state championships, and was selected the 2005-2006 Tennessee Boys Coach of the Year.  He has also developed eight players for the TN State ODP team.

Contact: (901) 219-1121 ~ alex@tennesseerush.com

Ross Paule, Technical Director - In 1997, after three successful years a Creighton University (MO), Ross Paule declared early for the MLS and was drafted by the Colorado Rapids.  In his nine-year professional career he played for the Colorado Rapids, NY/NJ MetroStars, and ended his professional playing career with the Columbus Crew in 2005.  Starting in 155 of his 192 professional games, he tallied 32 goals, 42 assists, and was named to the MLS All Star Team twice (1998, 1999).  During his time in college, Paule was named to Soccer America's Freshman All-America team (1994), and led Creighton to the 1996 NCAA Men's College Cup, scoring its only goal in a 2-1 loss to eventual champion St. John's in the national semifinals.  Prior to the MLS, Paule was a member of the U17 and U20 US National Teams (1991-1995), and later was a US Men’s Full National Team Pool Player (1998-2001).  After leaving the MLS as a player, Paule was the Assistant Coach for the Columbus Crew.  He holds his USSF Pro "B" Coaching License

Contact: (901) 596-7804 ~ ross@tennesseerush.com

Mark Forrest, Director of Coaching (Juniors) - Mark is from Scotland, where he played 2 years professionally and represented Scotland U16 and U18's.  He also coached in his homeland for four years.  Mark moved to the USA in 2002 to attend Union University and to play collegiate-level soccer.  He also coached in Jackson for 4 years, developing many players for the state ODP team and leading a team to the DII state finals in 2006.  Mark graduated with a 3.8 in Communications in 2007.  He holds the NSCAA National License.

Contact: (731) 313-1139 ~ mforrest@tennesseerush.com

Zeke Vezina, Director of Coaching (Developmental) - Germantown High School varsity soccer, '83 and ''84 State Champions; Head Coach, White Station High School Boys and Girls.

 Zeke began coaching during his junior year of high school in 1986. He was twice awarded "Outstanding Citizen" by the City of Germantown for his volunteer work with the Germantown Area Soccer Association in 1983 and 1987. Although a successful competitive      coach for the past 13 years, Zeke is mostly proud of his 24 years of volunteer service as both administrator and head coach for local Inner City and Church recreational leagues within the Memphis-metropolitan area. He is a graduate of the University of Memphis and currently holds both USSF National 'D' and NSCAA National Youth licenses.

Contact: (901) 409-3341 ~ zeke@tennesseerush.com

Remco de Jong, Goalkeeper Coach - Remco de Jong was born and spent his first 38 years in the Netherlands, where he played for the internationally renowned Ajax Amsterdam Futbol Club from age 9-23 against other world-famous teams such as Juventus and AC Milan. As a goalkeeper with Ajax, he played with John van het Schip, Stanly Menzo, and Marco van Basten, who coached the Dutch National team to a Round of 16 appearance at the 2006 World Cup. His Ajax 3 team also won the national championship in 1985-86 and was a regional champion from 1985-88. In Holland, he coached the amateur club RKAVIC from 1996-2000. Remco played adult soccer at the highest non-professional level in the Netherlands and continued to coach and train both youth and adult players and goalkeepers for Ajax.  Remco is one of the top goalkeeper trainers in the country and trains our keepers of all ages. 

Contact: (901) 210-2259 - remco@tennesseerush.com

Chris Cook, Coach - Played competitively for 15 years, earning seven State Championship trophies, a position on the State Select team for four years. He played and coached for Memphis’ first soccer club, the Kickers, and has also coached teams for the River City Soccer Club, the Collierville Lobos and MFC. Chris served as Head Coach of the Memphis Express Super Y U16. Chris served as a teacher and Head Varsity Soccer Coach at St. Mary’s High School the past two years before recently entering private business. USSF “C” License.

Ray Poquette, Coach - Ray Poquette brings over 20 years of coaching experience to the club.  This includes all levels of coaching, both boys and girls.  Ray was the State Director of Coaching and Player Development for the states of Minnesota and Tennessee.  In these positions, he oversaw the development of over 50,000 players and coaches, and even hosted and instructed many National "C" License courses.  Furthermore, he was a State and Regional ODP coach for Regions II and III.  Ray also has collegiate coaching experience as the head soccer coach at the University of the South in Sewanee, TN.  He has also been the Director of Recreation at Hope Church in Cordova, TN, where he was also the Single Adult Ministry Pastor.  Ray runs a personal training facility in Memphis, TN as well.  He holds the NSCAA "Advanced National" and USSF "A" Licenses.

Contact: (901) 550-3451 ~ raypoquette@tennesseerush.com

Dewayne Lawrence, Coach - Dewayne played collegiately for three years at the University of New Haven, CT.  Upon graduating with a B.S. in Civil Engineering, he moved to Memphis and was member of the Memphis Express Team for the 2005 season.  Dewayne has been coaching competitive youth soccer since the Fall of 2007, and currently holds the NSCAA Advanced Regional and USSF National D Licenses.

Contact: (401) 368-7786 ~ dlawrence@tennesseerush.com

Sean Andre, Coach - Sean Andre has 18 years of coaching experience with boys & girls from the U-9 to U-19 age groups. He has led both boys' and girls' teams to State Championship titles & finishes. He continually develops youth players for the State level & Regional level ODP teams, and is an experienced goalkeeper coach who has developed many players for Div I & II college soccer programs. From 2003-2006, Sean was the Assistant Varsity soccer coach & Goalkeeper coach at St. Agnes Academy. In his 5-year involvement with the program, he helped lead the team to 4 consecutive Regional Championships, 2 State Semi-Final appearances, and a State Championship Title.  He holds a USSF “C” License and the NSCAA National Diploma.

Contact: (901) 603-1119 ~ sandre@tennesseerush.com

Randol Lay, Coach - Randol was the initial women's coach at Rhodes College and helped to establish the soccer program at Germantown High School. Randol played for Western Carolina University. Randol has earned the USSF National "C" License and the National Youth Diploma from the NSCAA.  After almost 40 years of coaching the one thing that he is most proud of however, is the fact that a large number of former players and parents have established themselves as high school, college and competitive soccer coaches and are also giving back to the game Coach Randol has grown to love.

Contact: (901) 212-9231 ~ randol@tennesseerush.com

Ross Ridenhour, Coach - Ross is originally from Memphis, TN, where he played soccer locally.  Ross played college soccer at Appalachian State University from 1998-2001.  As an honor and reward for his outstanding leadership abilities, he was chosen for the Southern Conference Leadership Institute as a student-athlete representative.  He was also a member of the Student Athlete Advisory committee for the University.  Ross coached in North Carolina for two years, and has been coaching in Memphis since 2002, working to develop all ages and levels of ability.  Ross currently holds his USSF “D” coaching license.

Contact: (901) 356-4463 ~ rridenhour@tennesseerush.com

Heidi Ondra, Coach - Heidi is a native of Memphis, TN.  A graduate of Houston High School, Heidi earned All-Metro and All-State honors for 3 of her 4 years in high school.  She was also Best of the Preps top 5 for 3 years, as she posted 106 career goals, including 41 goals in a single season.  Heidi continued her illustrious career at Mississippi State University, where she earned the team's "most skilled" award and was 10th in career goals in the school's history.  Heidi also was a member of the TN ODP team and was a USASA National Team Pool Player.

Contact: (901) 413-8204 ~ heidi@tennesseerush.com

Rodney Bright, Coach - Rodney has over 12 years of experience coaching youth recreational and competitive soccer in the Memphis area.  Rodney was a multi-sport athlete in high school in the Memphis area and was an all conference athlete (baseball) at the University of Memphis in the mid 1980’s.  During the off-season, Rodney conducts voluntary fitness workouts for players with an emphasis on conditioning, agility and skills.  He holds a USSF D License.

Contact: (901) 568-8952 ~ rbright@tennesseerush.com

German Candia, Coach - German (coach "Herman") has been involved in the game of soccer for 34 years.  He started playing competitive soccer in Mexico when he was 8 years old and he is still playing. He also played at high school and college level in Mexico. He started coaching 9 years ago under AYSO in Iowa.  Six years ago he started coaching locally when he moved to Memphis, coaching boys and girls for the Collierville Cougars program where he was also part of the Collierville Lobos Committee. He is also the High School Soccer head coach for a private school in Memphis. He currently holds an AYSO coach certificate, a USSF "D" License, and a USSF “Youth” License. 

Contact: (901) 734-5582 ~ gcandia@tennesseerush.com

Brittany Baldwin, Coach - Brittany grew up playing club soccer in Memphis and graduated from Collierville High School, bringing home the school’s first and only State Championship her senior year.  She then played Division I soccer on full scholarship at the University of Memphis and was a part of the team that won 3 consecutive C-USA Conference Championships, made 3 consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, holds the C-USA record for most goals scored in a conference tournament, and is a part of the winningest class in the program’s history. She was named a captain her Sophomore year. In her time at Memphis they travelled to Argentina where she played against 3 of Argentina’s top women’s professional teams and 11 different World Cup players, including the current captain of the Argentina Women’s National Team.  Brittany was named the 2010 recipient for the Elma Roane Award, the top award for female student-athletes at the University.  Outside of soccer Brittany has been involved in programs such as Habitat for Humanities, volunteering at Children’s Hospitals, and Young Life.  She is currently finishing her degree in Exercise and Sports Science.

Contact:  

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.

Contact: (731) 267-1222 ~ pepper@tennesseerush.com