COACHING DIRECTORS
Jimmy McDonald 
Director of Coaching
As a professional player, McDonald played one season in the North American Soccer League in 1973 with the Toronto Metros. He also played three games for the Cleveland Force during the 1979-1980 Major Indoor Soccer League season. McDonald played for Toronto Hungaria, Toronto Macedonia and London City FC of the Canadian National Soccer League.
McDonald earned four caps for the Canada Men’s National Soccer Team in 1973 and 1974. He played in four straight internationals for Canada in their back four – in 1973, on October 7th in a 2-0 away win over Luxemburg; November 10th in a 1-5 away lose and November 12th in a 1-0 away win over Haiti both played in Port-au-Prince; and on April 14, 1974 in a 0-0 away draw to Bermuda in Hamilton. He also played for the Canadian Pan American Games Soccer Team in Mexico. McDonald went on to earn an additional 3 caps with the Canada National Soccer Team at the 1973 CONCACAF Championship in Mexico.
After retiring as a player, McDonald entered into coaching. He became the Director of Coaching for the Maple Leaf Soccer Club in Scarborough, Ontario from 1985 to 1988. He then moved to the United States to become the Senior State Coach for Indiana from 1988 to 1991. In 1992, McDonald became the first Director of Coaching for the Center Grove Soccer Club in Greenwood, Indiana and held that position until 2008. He also served as the Region 2 Senior Head Coach of twelve states in the Midwest from 1992 to 1994. In 1993 he was the Assistant Coach at the US Olympic Sports Festival. That year, he also successfully coached the Indianapolis Inferno to the 1992 U.S. Open Cup Semifinal. He was the Director of Coaching for the Inferno from 1989 to 1994. In 1994, McDonald was appointed the Head Coach for the US Olympic Sports Festival but club commitments kept him from the post. In 2003, as a guest of Sir Alex Ferguson, McDonald was brought in to observe and discuss the Manchester United training sessions for the First Team, Reserve and Youth squads at the Carrington Training Center. In that same year, McDonald was also a guest of John Greig of the Glasgow Rangers to observe and discuss the training of their First Team, Reserve and Youth squads. The following year he was also a guest of the Glasgow Celtic for three weeks participating with the First Team, Reserve and Youth squads. He also observed Hibernian and Motherwell of the Scottish Premier League and Southhampton of the English Premier League the following year. He was then hired by Terry Butcher from Motherwell as the North American scout.
Jimmy McDonald joined Celtic FC Florida (formerly, Gulf Coast United) as the Director of Coaching in 2008, and under his exceptional guidance the club has steadily grown in stature. Jimmy can be contacted by e-mail at jimmy@celticfl.net
Matt Risley
Assistant Director of Coaching & Academy Director; U9 Girls Academy, U9 Boys Academy, U13 Boys - Head Coach
Coming Soon!
ACADEMY & CLUB-LEVEL COACHES & ASSISTANT COACHES
Dan Tumarkin 
An F Licensed Coach, Dan Tumarkin grew up playing club soccer in St. Petersburg, FL and has been coaching youth soccer throughout Maryland and Florida over the past 19 years. Dan has coached the Celtic FC Florida U9-U10 Girls Academy teams since 2007 and also serves as Age Group Coordinator for the USA League in which our teams play. Dan is a Past-President of Celtic FC Florida (then known as Gulf Coast United SC).
Ryan Masi
Assistant Coach
Coming Soon!
Tim Slaughter
Assistant Coach
Coming Soon!
Rich Fulk 
Head Coach
Rich is a National C Licensed coach with soccer coaching experience that extends over 30 years. His experience ranges from U6 tots through U18 in youth leagues, and elementary through college school teams. This experience includes assisting the Varsity and leading the Junior Varsity Boys teams at Clearwater Central Catholic (CCC) High School from 1981 through 1991. Rich was very instrumental in establishing a Junior Varsity Boys program at CCC in 1985. During that time there were six State Champions and four Final Four appearances at CCC. He coached a U15 Boys team to a State Championship in 1985, U18 Boys team to Region C and Presidents Cup Champions in 1991, took a team to Germany in 1985 and coached a girls team from U10 through U12 that were in the Region C Finals for three consecutive years, champions at U11. He was an Assistant Coach at the University of Tampa under George Fotopolus in 1996. and served as the originator and camp director for Skill Builder Summer Soccer Camps for five years. He has also coached the St. Cecelia Junior Varsity Girls to two conference championships. Rich has coached the CCC Junior Varsity girls for 7 years as an assistant and led them to three consecutive undefeated seasons. Rich also coached Celtic FC Florida U18 Girls for three years to consecutive winning seasons at D1, placing players in college programs every year.
As a player himself, Rich played in the Suncoast League for 5 years and was selected to the All Star Team as a goal keeper.
George Gomes 
Head Coach
George holds a NCSAA National Coaching license. Under George’s direction, his teams have participated in several tournament events and have earned prestigious titles such as the 2010 West Pasco Showcase Second Place Finalist, 2011 March Madness Second Place Finalist, 2011 Melbourne Labor Day Challenge Second Place Finalist, 2012 USSA Regional Second Place Finalist, 2012 Disney Presidents Day Champion, and the 2012 Region C Final Four. More recently he has was a semi finalist in the 2013 Gator Showcase, Reached Final four in the 2013 Region C, Been a finalist in the 2013 West Pasco competition and won the 2013 Sarasota Cup all with his U13 Girls team. With his U10 boys team they also reached the finals of the 2013 West Pasco competition.
George played soccer in high school and at Brookdale Community College in New Jersey, and has coached for Celtic FC Florida since 2006.
Rich Legg 
Head Coach
Rich was the U-10, U-9, and U-8 Academy Coach for Celtic FC Florida throughout the 2011-2012 Season and has been the Assistant Coach for Seminole High School since 2007. As a coach, his teams have made significant accomplishments in the soccer community such as the 2009-2010 State-Runner Up Team, the 2011-2012 State-Runner Up Team, and the 2011-2012 District Champions.
Rich grew up as a kid in love with the game of soccer and has played since he was 5 years old. As a youth, he played with teams throughout the community such as Northeast Raiders, Largo Wolves, and Clearwater Chargers, and was a 4 year Varsity Player at Seminole High School. He went on to play at the college level at Lynn University. As a player, Rich has made significant accomplishments for himself over the years such as playing for the 2003 State Championship team at Seminole High, playing for the 2004 State-Runner Up Team, Sun Bowl Champions 2005 for the Clearwater Chargers U-19, winning the distinguished 2004 Player of the Year award for Pinellas County, and 2-time All-State 1st Team recipient.
Paul Rizzo 
Head Coach
Paul holds an NSCAA National Coaching license. He previously coached with the Clearwater Chargers between 2005-2009 and also spent a year at Tarpon FC in 2010. With over 8 years of coaching experience, Paul brings a vast knowledge of the game to Celtic FC Florida. Originally from Ohio wher he played College soccer at Owens College in Toledo, Paul was also semi-pro player in the Premier Development League for the Michigan Bucks and Toledo Slayers.
Kyria Gianos 
Assistant Coach
Kyria has been coaching at Celtic FC Florida since 2006 beginning with our U6 players and then moving up to U16 and U10 Girls Academy teams in 2010 as their Assistant Coach. Kyria played at the club herself from the time she was 6 years old and has remained loyal to the club since 1997! She also played goalkeeper for Seminole High School. Kyria loves the game and hopes to share her knowledge with every player she coaches.
Ray Hales 
Head Coach
Ray Hales has been with Celtic FC Florida since 2011 and comes to us with a very impressive background in coaching youth soccer. Rays holds his FA Coaching Preliminary Badge and has completed the NFHS Coaching Course. He has been awarded the Richard Lightburn Award for Outstanding Coaching in California, the Mayors Coaching Award in California, and the USA Soccer Federation Award for Volunteer Work with Under Privileged Children.
As a coach he has lead his teams to accomplish significant achievement in the world of youth soccer. As the Assistant Coach of Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana CA, his team became the Division Champs. As the Head Varsity Coach at Corona Del Mar High School in Newport Beach CA, his team won the Division Championships four times, they were undefeated during the 1992-1992 Season, and were CIF Finalists and Semi-finalists. As Head Varsity Coach at Capistrano Valley Christian High School in San Juan Capistrano CA, Ray’s team took Division Champs as well. Coaching for Newport Harbor Soccer Club in Newport Beach, his team became Division Champs again along with earning the Arizona Turley Shoot Camps title. At Saddleback Valley Soccer Club, Ray led his team to become Division Champs, State Champs, Surf Cup Champs, Cerritos Tournament Champs, Celtic Cup Champs, Villa Cup Champs, Nike Cup Champs, and Orange Classic Champs. After several years of coaching in California, Ray moved westward and found himself coaching for the Thoroughbreds Soccer Club in Kentucky where he led his team to become Division Champs and Louisville Cup Champs. While in Kentucky, he also served at the Soccer Blast Indoor Facility Director of Programs and the Head Varsity Coach at St. Francis High School. From Kentucky, he moved to Florida where he began coaching for the Oldsmar Soccer Club. With his Oldsmar teams, Ray led his teams to several titles such as the President Cup Champs, DIV 3, 2 , & 1 Champs, Largo Halloween Champs, Palm Harbor Tournament Champs, Tallahasse Cup Champs, Puma Cup Champs, Dunedin Tournament Champs, HC United Tournament Champs, and becoming the Region C Champs twice. Later he coached the HC United Soccer Club in Tampa where his teams earned the titles of Disney International Finalist, two-time Disney Qualifier Winners, Naples Tournament Champs, Raleigh Champs, CDL Champs, Score the Shore Finalist, and finished a season Ranked #1 in FL, Top 5 in the Region, and Top 10 in the Nation. He continued his coaching career at the Clearwater Charges Soccer Club where his team won the Disney Showcase, the Florida Cup, and the Puma Cup. He then coached the Tarpon FC team to Region C Champs before joining us at Celtic FC Florida in 2011. Ray began at Celtic FC Florida coaching the U17 Boys Competitive team as well as the U11 Boys Competitive team. During his first year, he helped lead our teams to becoming Naples Tournament Champs and Disney Champs as well. Ray continues the 2012/2013 Season coaching the U12 Boys & U16 Boys Competitive Teams for Celtic FC Florida. 2013 Ray led the U12 Boys to President’s Cup after finishing as Region C Champions.
John Myers 
Assistant Coach
John is a FYSA E & F Licensed coach who has been coaching Celtic FC Florida teams since 2009 where he started with the U9 Boys Academy team. He has continued to progress alongside the team through U10 Academy and is now serving as their U12 Competitive team Assistant Coach. Throug his experience with Celtic FC Florida, John was able to lead his team to win the 2011 Disney Presidents Day Weekend Tournament, as well as the 2012 Naples Sharks Shootout Tournament. In 2013 Region C Champions and also President’s Cup Finalists.
Originally from England, John started playing soccer at the age of 5, and continued to play for school teams throughout elementary, middle and high schools and then also during University. He also played for the amateur team Goole Town Juniors for a number of seasons. His love of watching and playing soccer has made him very passionate about the game. His desire is to coach the Celtic FC Florida players so they too can develop a wide range of skills to further their soccer career and love of the game.
Richard Rodriguez 
Assistant Coach
Richard was born and raised in Miami, Florida, where he served as a key member of his high school’s Varsity Team during his junior and senior years. He went on to played in adult intramural leagues while attending college at the University of Miami and continued to play soccer throughout Medical School where his became the city champions among all graduate schools in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Richard joined Celtic FC Florida as a coach in 2007 and has been a fantastic addition to our coaching staff ever since.
Kristin Hendricks 
Head Coach
Kristin has been coaching teams at Celtic FC Florida since 2002. She originally coached a variety of Girls Recreational teams from 2002-2008, and then went on to be the Assistant Coach for the U12 Boys Competitive Second Team during the 2011-2012 Season. Halfway through the 2011-2012 Season, she also took over as Head Coach for the U12 Girls Competitive Second Team after their coach suffered a neck injury. Under Kristin’s direction, she managed to take the team to the second round of Region C. The following Spring, she served as Head Coach for the U15 Coed Spring Soccer team.
Kristin has been playing the sport for several years. She played 4 years of Varsity Soccer at Osceola High School where she made it to Regional Quarterfinals during her Freshmen year. She played competitive soccer for eight years, ending her career as a player with Celtic FC Florida. During her U16 & U17 years, Kristin played on a U18 team as a starter and leading scorer. She guest played with a State Cup team from Jacksonville in 2008 and played for a showcase U17-U18 team at Celtic FC FLorida. Additionally, Kristin and her team played in the Dallas Cup twice where they won their bracket their first year participating. Her plans to play in college were derailed by an ACL injury her Senior year. Throughout her tenure, Kristin was given Honorable Mention awards as a Freshmen and Sophomore, she was designated the Captain of her U18 Club Team from 2007-2008, as well as Captain of the Varsity Soccer Team during both her Junior and Senior years at Osceola.
Alyssa Doheny
Assistant Coach
Coming Soon!
Peter Ward 
For Peter Ward’s bio and more information on our Striker Training Sessions, click here.
Dave Pecora
Assistant Coach
Coming Soon!
Stuart Nichols 
Head Coach
Stu has played a valuable role with Celtic FC Florida since 2006. He coached the U13 Boys Club team during the 2011-2012 season and prior to that, he coached the U6,U8,U10, and U12 Recreational Teams at Celtic FC Florida from 2006 to 2011. Under Stu’s direction, his competitive boy’s team team won the Gysa Cup in 2010 and again in 2011. They finished in 4th position in the USA League, reached the Final 16 in Region C, and were Runners Up in the USA Tournament.
Stu played youth soccer while growing up in the U.K and an additional two seasons of adult indoor soccer from 2008-2010. He holds his USSF F and E Licenses.
Chip Kuykendall 
Assistant Coach
Under Chip’s direction, his team had an undefeated 2010-2011 season with the promotion from second division to premier league USA, where they managed to maintain that status in 2011-2012. His team also received runner up recognition in the West Pasco Everton Tournament in April, 2011.
Chip played club-level youth soccer and school soccer through high school as well as for several adult outdoor and indoor leagues. He has coached various recreational teams for Celctic FC Florida and specifically the U14 Girls Competitive team since 2007. Chip holds a National D Coaching License with a referral for a C License.
Rick Mutnansky
Assistant Coach
Coming Soon!
Ian Matthews 
Head Coach
Ian coaches the Celtic U18 Boys and holds several coaching licenses such as a National Youth License, National Goalkeeper License, State Goalkeeper 1 and 2 Licenses, FA Youth License, Florida D License, as well as his High School Coaching Diploma.
Adam Ford
Assistant Coach
Coming Soon!
John Maricone 
Assistant Coach
Coming Soon!
