Academy Staff

bnein@tormentafc.com

Dr. Brad Nein is the Vice President of Tormenta FC Academy.  He has worked in the education, soccer, and coaching industry throughout his 21-year professional career.  Brad is motivated by creating positive youth sport experiences that empower athletes, families, and coaches to discover opportunities for lifetime success.

Nein graduated from Salisbury University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education (K-12) and a Master’s Degree in Post-Secondary Education.  While as an undergrad at Salisbury, Brad played goalkeeper for the men’s soccer team.  As a graduate assistant, Nein was tasked with teaching classes in the physical education department while an assistant coach on the women’s field hockey and lacrosse teams.

Following college, Brad taught physical education for children between the grades of K and 8 while coaching high school soccer teams at James M. Bennett High School (MD), Wayne County High School (GA), and Savannah Arts Academy (GA).  While thoroughly enjoying leading high school teams, Nein has also been an assistant coach for three different women’s collegiate soccer programs including Salisbury University, Armstrong State University, and Georgia Southern University.  

Over the course of the last ten years, Brad has become rooted in the youth soccer scene in Southern Georgia as well as the Lowcountry of South Carolina.  Two programs that Nein played a major role in creating were Storm Soccer Academy (SSA) and Sweet Feet.  As the CEO for SSA for five years, Brad was able to develop an increased understanding of what creates success for families and youth players in the southeastern United States.  Brad then focused solely on Sweet Feet by creating a curriculum and growing the program to families throughout our region.  Sweet Feet provides a soccer introduction to children and continues to be a program loved by over 750 yearly participants.

In 2016, Brad completed his Doctoral studies at the United States Sports Academy earning a Doctorate of Education (Ed.D) degree in Sports Management.  His dissertation titled “Work-Family Conflict Among Youth, High School, and Collegiate Soccer Coaches” has assisted numerous professionals within the soccer coaching industry to successfully lead soccer clubs and teams while also having a more fulfilling home life.

Tormenta FC Academy had tremendous success this past year increasing the number of soccer players and teams in our programming, growing a recreation program in Savannah, assisting 27 graduating players with collegiate playing aspirations, and focusing upon implementing a youth soccer culture in which all players thrive.  Over the course of this next year, Brad and his team of directors and coaches look to flourish in the USL Academy league, MLS NEXT, lower the price to play soccer through grants from the Ibis Foundation, and provide a daily reminder of how much we care for each and every participant at Tormenta FC Academy.

Brad currently holds a “B” License and the US Youth Soccer National Youth License from the United States Soccer Federation. Working with the United Soccer Coach Organization, Brad has attained the Premier Diploma, Director of Coaching Diploma, and Goalkeeping Level 3 Diploma. Brad has spoken at numerous conferences and written for professional publications on topics related to youth sports development as well as on and off the field coaching strategies for success.

#VamosTormenta

jhampton@tormentafc.com

Jennifer Hampton is the Chief of Staff for Tormenta FC Academy and a Staff Coach. Hampton has been with the club since 2016, previously working at Storm Soccer Academy as a staff coach and Richmond Hill Soccer Club as the Academy Director. She holds the USC (NSCAA) Advanced National Diploma and USSF National “D” License.

Hampton grew up in the Atlanta area playing club soccer at Tophat Soccer Club and attending Parkview High School. She played Division I soccer at the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating with a Bachelor of Science, Engineering Management. Upon graduation, she was commissioned as a Medical Service Corps officer in the United States Army and concurrently studied at Southern Methodist University,  graduating with a Master of Science, Engineering Management.

Hampton lives in Pooler, Georgia, with her husband, Joshua, and two daughters, Ashley (17) and Camryn (15).

dproctor@tormentafc.com

David Proctor serves as the National Premier Leagues (NPL) and Boys Select Director for South Georgia Tormenta FC Academy. A native of York, England, Proctor has had a successful career where he’s played and coached professionally joins Tormenta FC from Major League Soccer side Colorado Rapids.

Proctor is familiar with the soccer landscape in the southeast, previously working for the USL Championship’s Charleston Battery as Director of Coaching. Prior to the Battery, he was the assistant coach for Nashville SC during its inaugural USL Championship season in 2018. Nashville had a successful first season making the USL Championship Playoffs and defeating the Rapids in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. 

Prior to that, he worked full-time as Head Academy Coach with both Columbus Crew SC and the Rapids of the MLS over a 12-year period. The highlight was being a reserve team coach, when the Rapids won the MLS Cup title in 2010.

As a player, Proctor began his career with Aston Villa Youth Academy. Following his youth career with Aston Villa FC, Proctor moved to Hull City FC to begin his professional career. After two seasons with Hull CIty, he moved to Middlesbrough FC before finishing his career in the United States with the Richmond Kickers and the Indiana Blast of the A-League, a former league of the United Soccer Leagues.

lgray@tormentafc.com

Lindsay Gray is the Director of Annual Giving and Events for South Georgia Tormenta FC Academy. Prior to joining Tormenta FC, Lindsay was the Sr. Manager of Internal Mobility at TMX Finance. Gray also previously worked as a staff coach at Storm Soccer Academy from 2011-2015. She holds the USSF National “D” License. 

Gray grew up in the Pittsburgh area playing club soccer at Northern Steel Select Soccer Club and attended Hopewell High School. She played NCAA Division I soccer at Morehead State University, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sport Management. Upon graduation, she became an intern and graduate assistant for the former Armstrong Atlantic State University Athletic Department. She graduated with a Master’s Degree in Adult Education and Community Leadership.

Gray lives in Savannah, Georgia, with her husband, Bryan, and three children, Jase (5), Jordan, (3), and Jamisyn (1).

STATESBORO, Ga. – South Georgia Tormenta FC announced today that Jordan Melia has been hired to be the U16-19 Boys Director for TFC Academy. Within this role, Jordan will coach the 2004 and 2005 NPL boys teams, guide players in their college recruiting journey, and further link the experience for our youth participants to our professional players.

“We are excited to continue to bring in coaches with vast amounts of playing experience at high levels, collegiate coaching experience, and a positivity that will promote success for our players on and off the field,” TFC Academy Director of Operations Brad Nein said. “Jordan checked all the boxes and will be the leader we need for our older boys in the Academy.”

Melia’s vast experiences as a player at Appalachian State University, as a USL League 2 alum – formerly coached by Tormenta FC’s League One Head Coach John Miglarese – and as the men’s assistant coach for the last two years at Fort Hays State University will allow our boys to have a high-level playing experience that will lead them to collegiate opportunities.

jgonzalez@tormentafc.com

Jorge Gonzalez is a Tormenta FC League One assistant coach. He has been with Tormenta since its 2016 season. Gonzalez graduated from Bryan College with a degree in business administration with a minor in communications before going onto to Reinhardt University for his MBA.

Gonzalez began his coaching career at Reinhardt University, where he served as an assistant coach for four seasons, along with coaching for the Southern West Virginia King’s Warriors before coming to Tormenta FC. As a Tormenta FC League One coach, he works side by side with Ian Cameron during training, game preparation, scouting and recruitment. Coach Gonzalez holds a US Soccer ‘C’ License, along with coaching badges from England and Fitness Industry Licenses.

evan.parker@elitesoccersavannah.com

Evan Parker serves as the Savannah Academy Technical Director for South Georgia Tormenta FC Academy. A native of Stafford, Virginia, Parker has had a successful coaching career at all levels including youth, high school and collegiate soccer.

Over the last twelve years, Parker has lead youth soccer players in the Southeast to maximize their skill potential while falling in love with the game. With his background as a physical education teacher and credentials from the U.S. Soccer Federation, including the National “B” License and National Youth License, Parker is the ideal individual to coach and inspire Tormenta FC Academy players between the ages of eight and 12 with a focus on technical skill development in the Savannah area.

Parker will be creating future players that will thrive in the Tormenta FC organization that have the opportunity to play at the highest level in the region that includes play at USL W League, USL League One, USL League Two, MLS NEXT and USL Academy League.

kbrownlee@tormentafc.com

Kian Brownlee serves as the Junior Academy Director for Tormenta FC Academy. Brownlee has over 21 years of experience in youth soccer and provides quality leadership and coaching to young players in the Academy before they make the jump to Select teams.

Prior to joining Tormenta FC, Brownlee was a successful club director and high-level coach for 21 years in Charleston, South Carolina. In May of 2020, Brownlee started as a coach within Tormenta FC Academy’s Select Girls Soccer Program. In his new position, Brownlee will not only serve as the Junior Academy Director but also as the Director of Camps and Off-Season Training. With Brownlee’s extensive experience in youth soccer, he will equip Tormenta FC’s young players in the Junior Academy with quality training and skills.

Brownlee also holds the following certifications/licenses:
-United Soccer Coaches – Premier Diploma
-United Soccer Coaches – Director of Coaching Diploma
-USSF ‘B’ License
-Masters in Health & Physical Education – Augusta University
-Bachelors in Sport Management – Liberty University

mlopez@tormentafc.com

Miguel Lopez Jr., born in Beaufort, South Carolina, is a Girls Director // ’05, ’08, ’09 Girls Coach for Tormenta FC Academy.

He attended the University of South Carolina Beaufort, earning his Bachelor’s degree in business administration, while working at Tormenta FC all four college years. After graduating, he took on the director position for the Hilton Head branch of the club. 

Lopez has been with TFC for 10 years, six of them being full-time. Within that time, he has earned his NSCAA Goalkeeper diplomas I & II, his USSF “C” License and his NSCAA Premier Diploma.

bertrandleoanrd@gmail.com

Bert Leonard serves as the 2006 Boys National Premier Leagues (NPL) Coach and Junior Academy Coach for South Georgia Tormenta FC Academy. Leonard joins Tormenta FC from LINAFA side Escazú FC.

Leonard holds a USSF ‘A’ License and USSF National Youth License. Leonard has worked extensively with youth players in the southeast in his role as Assistant Director of the Region III Olympic Development Program and leading the Tennessee United Boys 2003 Boys Elite to become State Cup Champions.

In addition to coaching high-level soccer, he is an expert video analyst, working with the United States Women’s National Team, MLS side Nashville FC, NASL side Atlanta Silverbacks and Cyprus side Nea Salamina.

Jeff Owens is the Junior Academy Technical Coordinator for Tormenta FC Youth Academy.

Owens previously worked with FC Charleston and the State Champion Women’s Varsity Oceanside Collegiate Academy.

Owens grew up playing with Mt. Pleasant Soccer Club and then as the club took on the US Development Academy spot as the Charleston Battery from U14 through U18.  Owens was a standout on the Nationally #1 ranked State Champions Wando High School Varsity Men’s team.