This multi-dimensional, leaguewide initiative prioritizes professional development for technical staff, league and club executives, and local communities with the intention of increasing racial and gender diversity in leadership roles throughout the USL ecosystem.
Vision
To create access and opportunity for underserved coaches in the soccer ecosystem.
Mission Statement
We aim to provide and support our elite and most promising coaches with the opportunity to meet their professional aspirations and simultaneously create a platform for USL and its member clubs to be leaders in driving impact via diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Pro Preseason Residency
With 2024 serving as its pilot year, the PPR Program is designed to identify high-performing, pro-aspiring BIPOC and women coaches and place them in a professional environment with an established curriculum. The participating coaches will receive immersive experience and real-world training as they work alongside pro-level head coaches and technical staff.
The program has three distinct phases, beginning with the USL Championship and League One preseason, and continuing through the end of the USL pro seasons. Phase One involves experiential professional environment immersion. Phase Two provides touchpoints with mentors at regular intervals during the calendar year. In Phase Three, PPR participant coaches provide feedback on the program and prepare to help mentor a new class of resident coaches for the following year.
Each year, resident coaches will be selected based on several criteria such as, but not limited to, licensed at the USSF-B or UEFA-B level or above, or seeking USSF or UEFA Pro License, demonstrated record of success in player development or coaching at the pre-professional or Academy level within USL, and representing a currently underrepresented group among technical staffs in the USL ecosystem. In this pilot year, the five resident coaches were nominated and selected by USL Sporting and DEI departments in collaboration with participating clubs. Beginning in year two, there will be an open application process for the PPR Program.
Resident coaches may fall into one of three categories: Traveling Resident, Homegrown Resident and Player-to-Coach Resident.
Meet the Residents
Julie Carlson
Homegrown Resident, Greenville Triumph SCJulie Carlson currently serves as the head coach and technical director of Greenville Liberty SC in the USL W League and holds a USSF A License and a United Soccer Coaches Premier Diploma. Carlson’s extensive coaching career has featured time in coaching and operation positions at Virginia Military Institute (NCAA Division I), Jacksonville State University (NCAA Division I), the Clemson Anderson Soccer Alliance (youth), Anderson University (NCAA Division II) and Clemson University (NCAA Division I). Following a collegiate playing career at Wright State University, Carlson received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from WSU in 1996 before obtaining a Master of Science degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2008. Additionally, Carlson currently serves as an Adjunct Professor in Athletic Leadership at Clemson University.
Lekeisha Gumbs
Traveling Resident, Sacramento Republic FC Lekeisha “Kei” Gumbs, a native of Leicester, England, is the head coach of the USL W League’s Chicago City SC. Gumbs – who guided Chicago to the 2023 USL W League Playoffs in her first season as head coach – holds a UEFA B License and is currently a UEFA A License candidate. The Leicester native’s decades-long playing career included a lengthy stint at Leicester City FC Women in the top-flight English Women’s Super League before she transitioned to coaching in 2015. Gumbs coached at nearly every level of LCFC Women and was named head coach of the Foxes’ reserve team in 2021.
Lauryn Hutchinson
Homegrown Resident, Richmond Kickers Lauryn Hutchinson, a retired National Team player for the Trinidad & Tobago Senior team, boasts an impressive twelve-year career representing her country. With notable participation in two Pan American Olympic Games, three CONCACAF World Cup Qualifications, and two Olympic qualifications. A graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, Lauryn holds a Master's degree in Sports Leadership and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. She has fortified her expertise with a UEFA B License, showcasing her commitment to excellence both on and off the field. As the Owner and Technical Director of UNKNWN Athlete in Richmond, Virginia, Lauryn is dedicated to creating a professional and personable environment for high school, college, and pro soccer athletes. Her passion lies in helping individuals redefine their life and soccer potential. Her goal is to inspire athletes to consistently outwork their past selves, ultimately maximizing their true potential.
Troy McKerrell
Traveling Resident, Forward Madison FCTroy McKerrell was recently appointed as head coach of the Des Moines Menace in USL League Two. McKerrell, a Bute, Scotland native, has acquired a UEFA A License, UEFA B License and UEFA Elite Youth A Diploma across his nearly 10-year coaching career spanning Rockhurst University (NCAA Division II), FC Kansas City (NWSL), the Ontario Fury (MASL) and Chicago City SC (USL League Two). Prior to moving to his role as a coach, McKerrell enjoyed an eight-year playing career that included stops at Greenock Morton FC (Scottish Championship), Benedictine College (NAIA), the Kansas City Comets (MASL) and the Ontario Fury. Additionally, McKerrell currently serves as an ambassador for United Soccer Coaches and a consultant for United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) Soccer. McKerrell received his Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education and Sports Science from Benedictine College in 2013 before receiving his Master of Science in Psychology with a concentration in Organizational Development from Avila University in 2018.
Joseph Nane
Player-to-Coach Resident, Oakland Roots SCJoseph Nane, a native of Yaoundé, Cameroon, recently completed his 14th year as a professional player with Oakland Roots SC in the USL Championship. Nane left Cameroon in 2006 to play collegiately at Old Dominion University (NCAA Division I). While at ODU, the defensive midfielder was named Second Team United Soccer Coaches All-American in 2009, First Team All-Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) in 2009, Second Team All-CAA in 2008, while also playing for the Virginia Beach Piranhas in USL League Two. Nane was drafted in the fourth round of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft by Toronto FC and went on to win the Canadian Championship with TFC that same year. After his time in Toronto, Nane’s professional career included time domestically with the Colorado Rapids (MLS), New York Cosmos (NASL), San Antonio Scorpions (NASL) and Oakland Roots SC, and internationally in Kazakhstan and Cyprus. Nane earned his bachelor's degree in accounting from ODU in 2009.