Directors of Coaching
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Chris Rogers, Director of Coaching U8-U10
Coaching History:
Chris is one of the newest additions to Homewood Soccer. Prior to working with the club, Chris has coached at varying levels throughout Alabama. In his time in Montgomery, Chris worked with the Capital City Streaks while attending Huntingdon College. After moving south to Mobile, Chris worked with the Mobile Soccer Club while also coaching as an assistant at the University of South Alabama. Additionally, he worked as the varsity head coach of the Alabama School of Math and Science.
Chris believes soccer is a beautiful game and although it can’t be mastered by everyone, it should and could be enjoyed by all. A good coach understands that not everyone will become a Pele or Messi, but everyone should still have fun!
Playing History:
Chris grew up playing club soccer in the Birmingham area for clubs such as Hoover, VHSC, and BUSA. While in Birmingham, he played for Spain Park High School. His college career took him to Huntingdon College where he played from 2005-2010.
Chris is licensed by both the NSCAA and USSF. He holds his Advanced Regional Diploma from the NSCAA, along with his Level II Goalkeeping license. Additionally, Chris holds his USSF C and National Youth Licenses.
Mason Cook, Director of Coaching U11-U13 Boys
Coaching History:
Mason has been a coach with Homewood Soccer Club since Fall 2008.
Mason worked camps with MBSC under Rob Walker and Andrew Brower. He was an assistant coach for a U12 and U13 team for two years at MBSC/BUSA. At Homewood Soccer Club he coached U-13 Freedom in 2008-2009 and U-14 Freedom in 2009-2010.
Playing History:
Mason developed as a player playing Club Soccer in Dallas with Texas Spurs, Texas Longhorns, Hawks SC, and FC Dallas. In those clubs he was coached by ex professionals, some of which played at the World Cup level. He played JV soccer for Marcus High School in Flower Mound Texas, where he was coached by a semi pro and ex-Welsh national team player. Mason moved to Birmingham in 2004. He played club soccer for Mountain Brook SC and at Spain Park High School.
Mason holds his USSF National D License.
Rob Dominguez, Director of Coaching U14+
Coaching History:
Rob has been with Homewood Soccer since 2007. In his time at Homewood, he has had three final-four appearances and one appearance in the final in the AYSA State Cup. He has coached across all ages from U11-U19. His teams have been finalists and have won tournaments in Alabama and Florida. In 2010 and 2011, Rob traveled to the UK to work in Northern Ireland and earn his UEFA badges. During that time, Rob worked with future national team players, senior professionals, and coaches from the EPL.
Rob is also a member of the Olympic Development Program (ODP) coaching staff. Additionally, he coaches on both the Men’s and Women’s sides at the Altamont School.
Playing History:
As a player, Rob was part of the Homewood High School state championship program for five years. He competed in the Region III Premier League and holds titles at the Division I and Division II levels.
Rob Holds licenses from both coach education organizations in the US, the NSCAA and USSF. Additionally, Rob has earned his UEFA B License through the Irish FA in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Coaching Staff
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Jason Jowers, U11 Freedom
Coaching Experience:
Jason has been a coach with Homewood Soccer Club since 2009. In his time at Homewood he has coached teams who played in our DII White, Blue, and Red team program, as well as the younger Patriots Program. Prior to coaching at Homewood, Jason coached as Vestavia Hills High Schools JV Head Coach and Varsity Assistant Coach under Rick Grammer. A product of Vestavia Hills Soccer Club and High School, Jason coached the first (79) and second (81) Vestavia Steamers teams the club had, their top boys program. He helped guide the older team playing U-18s in 1997 to win Regionals and place 3rd at Nationals. To this day, this is the only boys’ team from Alabama to make Nationals.
Playing Experience/Accomplishments:
Jason played college soccer at UAH and UAB. At UAH he was an All-Conference Team Member. At UAB, he received the Coach’s Award in 1993 and was a Conference Champion when the team made its first NCAA Tournament appearance.
Jason’s Coaching Philosophy:
Jason believes soccer in many ways mimics life and in particular organizations. He feels, as coaches, we should be doing more than coaching soccer. He feels coaches should coach/instruct/teach to the best of our ability. However, coaches should also make these young men and women active, accountable, and assertive; as fast assessors, thinkers, doers, and leaders. He sees himself as a players’ coach who can teach the game but who is also teaching something more; by helping to provide tools to better navigate life.
Jason holds his USSF D License and NSCAA Level I Diploma
Melanie Bald, U11 Lady Freedom
Coaching Experience:
Melanie has been a coach with the Homewood Soccer Club for 8 years, coaching at every level from the younger Patriots to the more competitive blue teams. For the past two years she was the coach of the U11 Lady Eagles.
Playing Experience:
Melanie played recreational soccer at Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia as well as on a local Women’s Team in the Birmingham area, which she helped coach and manage.
Melanie holds her E License.
Chris Rogers, U11 Eagles
See bio under “Directors of Coaching”
Sean McBride, U12 Lady Freedom
Coaching Experience:
Sean has coached with a number of programs at all different levels in the US and the UK. Sean served a long tenure at Mountain Brook Soccer Club where he coached the “Bad Girls” to a RIII championship and several state championships. Additionally, Sean has been the head coach of Homewood High school since 2001 where he has won three state championships. Sean coached at Birmingham Southern College from 1998-2000.
Playing Experience:
A native of Scotland, Sean played soccer for Celtic FC, in Glasgow, from 1988-1991 before coming to the states for school. He played at Massasoit Community College in Massachusetts from 1994-1996 before attending Birmingham Southern College where he was the Conference and Regional Player of the Year.
Sean holds his USSF National D License.
Jason Jowers, U12 White II
See bio under “U11 Freedom”
Bart Marcum, U13 Freedom
Coaching Experience:
Bart has coached at clubs around the South East. Beginning in 1991, Bart worked with the Park Sharon and Hammerheads Youth Soccer Clubs in North Carolina. In 1997, Bart became the Director of Coaching of the Hammerheads Youth Soccer Club. Bart then came to Alabama where he worked with Hoover Soccer Club, Mountain Brook Soccer Club, and BUSA; he coached teams, worked with respective academies, and was also an ODP staff coach for Alabama during this time.
Playing Experience:
Bart has an impressive career spanning several states and different levels of the game. Before college, Bart was an All-American High School Player of the Year (1988) and Gatorade State Player of the Year (Georgia, 1988). Bart’s collegiate career lasted from 1988-1992 where he played at UNC Charlotte and served as captain from 1991-1992. After college, Bart played professionally for the Wilmington Hammerheads.
Bart holds his USSF D License.
Sean McBride, U13 Lady Freedom
See bio under “U12 Lady Freedom”
Joel Wallace, U13 White II
Coaching Experience:
Joel has been an assistant coach at the University of Alabama at Birmingham since 2009. From 1997-2009, Joel facilitated different roles as head men’s coach at MacMurray college and Westminster College, while also serving as the head coach for the Westminter women’s team. Joel has worked as a director of camps all across the country.
Playing Experience:
From 1988-1991, Joel played at MacMurray College where he served as the captain for three years. There, he was named conference and school MVP.
Joel holds his NSCAA Advanced National Diploma and his USSF B License.
Greg Bassett, U14 Freedom
Coaching Experience:
Greg joined Homewood soccer in Fall 2010 after 24 years of coaching with the American Soccer Club and BUSA. He also coached Pelham High School girls Varsity for several years.
Greg holds his USSF C License and his NASCA National Diploma.
Tony Rowshanaei, U14 Lady Freedom
Coaching Experience:
Tony has a long career in coaching. From 1998-2007, Tony was the Director of Coaching of three clubs in Tennessee: Knoxville Soccer Club, TN Elite Soccer Club, and Impact Soccer Club. From 2007-2011, Tony lived in Arizona and coached at Mesa Soccer Club.
Playing Experience:
Tony played collegiate soccer for the University of Western Kentucky from 1978-1981 where he also coached after graduation. From 1981-1984, Tony played professionally for the Nashville Diamonds.
Tony holds his NSCAA National Youth License.
Paul Harbin, U15 Lady Freedom
Coaching History:
Following the 2010 season, Paul Harbin retired from the college ranks where he has been coaching soccer at the NCAA Division I level for 22 years; 18 as the Head Coach. Across his career, Harbin’s teams have been known nationally for their skill, talent, and success on the field. They’ve also been known for their many successes off the field, in the classroom and throughout their community.
His college coaching career has spanned two universities, Mercer University and The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Under his guidance, the UAB Women’s Soccer program has played in two NCAA Championships and has won more Conference USA Championships (3) than any other sport at the University. His teams have been ranked in the top 25 on several occasions and have been ranked in the Top 10 in the Region nearly every year. During his career, Harbin has been selected as the Conference USA Coach of the Year and nominated for the NCAA South Region Coach of the Year.
He has also served as a member of the coaching staff of Alabama’s Olympic Development Program (ODP) and the ODP South Region staff.
Playing History:
Coach Harbin played soccer at Eckerd College in Florida in 1980 before transferring to Mercer University where he played from 1981-1983.
Paul holds his USSF B License and a Masters degree in the Psychosocial Study of Human Movement from Columbia University.
Alexander Carrie, U16 Freedom
Coaching History:
Zander experienced his first year as a coach in the Fall of 2012 with Homewood. He coached the U-18′s to a winning record and enjoyed seeing each player develop not just as an individual, but as a unit of the team as a whole. His time spent abroad playing soccer recreationally in both Colombia and Germany has caused him value players’ passion for the game itself and creative play that demonstrates that passion.
Playing History:
While growing up in Birmingham, Zander played club soccer with the Hoover Phantoms and Homewood Freedom. He played in high school at John Carroll. While studying abroad in the Spring of 2012 Germany, he played with the men’s club MFC Phönix 02.
Coaching Licenses:
USSF E License
USSF D to be completed summer 2013
Tony Rowshanaei, U16-U18 Lady Freedom
See bio under “U14 Lady Freedom”
Rob Dominguez, U17 Freedom
See bio under “Directors of Coaching”
Mason Cook, U18 Freedom
See bio under “Directors of Coaching”
