Coaching Background & Leadership
Jesse’s coaching background reflects progression into leadership through earned trust, formal licensure, international exposure, and measurable development outcomes—developed alongside continued participation in elite senior playing environments.
Collegiate, Academy & High School Coaching Experience (2020–2022)
From 2020 to 2022, Jesse served as Assistant Coach at Fisk University, working directly under Desmond Armstrong (USMNT Hall of Fame). In this role, he supported session design, match preparation, and individual player development within a collegiate environment, contributing to daily training standards, tactical clarity, and player management.
Concurrently, Jesse coached within Armstrong’s youth academy, Heroes FA, working across multiple age groups to implement development principles centered on technical quality, decision-making, and game intelligence.
During the same period, Jesse also served as Assistant Coach for the Middle Tennessee Fire boys’ program under Armstrong, supporting training design, match strategy, and in-game management in a competitive high school environment.
Notably, these coaching roles were held alongside active senior competition, as Jesse was simultaneously playing at the semi-professional level with AFC 615 and later Tennessee Tempo, regularly training and competing with professional players and senior internationals. This dual role sharpened his ability to translate modern playing demands directly into coaching environments.
Transition to Coaching Leadership & International Exposure
In August 2022, Jesse accepted an offer from Caleb Patterson-Sewell (FC Tulsa Sporting Director/General Manager) to serve as Director of Coaching, marking a formal transition into program-level leadership. In this role, he oversaw coach development, training methodology, and player development standards, aligning daily training environments with long-term performance objectives.
Coaching Licensure & Elite Youth Exposure
In December 2022, Jesse earned his USSF C License at Atlanta United, under instructor Ronnie Woodard (Former Vanderbilt University Head Coach, Current USSF Instructor). During the course, he distinguished himself through session design, communication, and applied understanding of game principles.
USSF C License Class of 2022
During the course, Jesse was invited to assist and coach within Woodard’s U17 TSC ECNL environment, gaining experience in one of the top competitive youth leagues in the United States, assisting and implementing sessions with US Youth National Team players.
Youth Coaching Results & Private Development Work
After a brief coaching pause due to injury, Jesse resumed coaching in 2024 with Little Rock Rangers Academy, brought back into the game by Ante Jazic (Canada MNT).
In his most recent team coaching experience, Jesse led the 2014 Rangers Black Academy team, competing in the top division for the age group in Arkansas. Across league and tournament play, the team recorded:
18 wins, 2 losses, 1 draw
90% win rate
87.3% points percentage
111 goals scored, 28 conceded
The team won two of three tournaments, including the Germantown Invitational, and was subsequently invited to the prestigious Dallas Cup, and moved up to compete in the U12 top division the following spring.
2024 Germantown Invitational Premier Division Champions
The Rangers beat teams from New Orleans, Chicago, and Memphis to win the title
Since 2020, Jesse has also worked extensively in private player development, coaching individuals who have gone on to sign professional contracts, earn Division I scholarships, and progress within elite youth and collegiate pathways.
Perspective
Across collegiate, academy, high school, and youth environments—developed in parallel with elite senior competition—Jesse’s coaching profile reflects:
intelligence-led development principles
clarity in session design and methodology
ability to bridge modern playing demands into coaching practice
adaptability across age groups and competitive levels
progression into leadership through earned trust
These experiences now inform his work as a coach and program builder—grounded in lived experience and demonstrated outcomes across elite competitive environments.
