Carson Porter has 20+ years experience in the coaching profession that covers every level of the game.  After playing collegiately at University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, he began his career as part of the Capital Area Soccer League (CASL) in Raleigh, NC.  Porter oversaw the equivalent of WHYFC's JUNIORS program (U8-U10) where he created the program's curriculum, guided and educated coaches,  and implemented programming.  

Porter was then offered an opportunity that would have a significant impact on his coaching and soccer career.  He joined the Wake Forest University Men's Soccer coaching staff under legendary coach, Jay Vidovich in 2004 and spent 6 successful seasons in Winston-Salem.  Porter worked with over 25 future professional players, including 3 U.S. Men's National Team Players as Wake Forest established itself as a top 10 program and national contender.

During his time at Wake Forest the team went to 3 consecutive (2006, 2007, 2008) NCAA Final Fours, winning the NCAA National Championship in 2007 with a team that many consider one of the best in college soccer's history.  For his work, Porter was honored as the 2007 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) 'National Assistant Coach of the Year'.

In 2010, Porter joined the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) in a full-time roll. Porter, who's title at U.S. Soccer was 'Technical Advisor', worked with the U14, U17 and U18 Men's National Teams, gaining valuable experience and education that included international trips to France, Germany, Italy, England, Holland, Azerbaijan, and Mexico and completing the first USSF Youth Technical Director Course - a 2 year study that culminated in a 10-day trip to Germany to observe the workings of two top Professional Clubs and Youth Academies (Freiburg SC, Hoffenheim) and the German Football Federation (DFB).  At U.S. Soccer, Porter also gained valuable experience in business and administrative settings.  He worked on a team that managed the day-to-day operations of the U.S. Development Academy.  This included the management of such topics as league-wide curriculum, technical standards, league-wide administrative requirements, coaching education, communications, national team identification, and new club applications.

Originally from Charlotte, NC, Porter moved to Wilmington in 2014 when he accepted a position as the technical director and later Head Coach of the USL professional team, the Wilmington Hammerheads.  As he worked with the professional organization he also learned about, participated in, and connected with the Hammerheads youth program and in October of 2015 Porter joined WHYFC as its Executive Director.  

Since accepting the Executive Director position in 2015, Porter has overseen consistent and steady improvement throughout the club.  Highlights of his work include the club-wide implementation of the 'Developmental Player (DP)' Program, the club's application and admission into both the Boys and Girls Elite Clubs National Leagues (ECNL), the merger of the Hammerheads Recreational Program with the YMCA recreational program, and the $20M Ncino Sports Park project set for completion in summer, 2024.  This project, curently under construction will see the upgrade and development of the current park into a 11-field first-class facility.   In addition to his role at the club, Porter serves as a member of the ECNL Board of Directors.

Porter resides in Wilmington with his wife, Jenna and their twin daughters Liv and Lyla.

carson@wilmingtonhammerheadsyouth.com

Will Heaney joined the Wilmington Hammerheads full-time coaching staff after a successful playing career that included 5 seasons with the USL Wilmington Hammerheads.  

Heaney is a native of Maryport, England and grew up playing in the Newcastle United Academy System.  He joined the Hammerheads professional team in 2012 and had four successful USL seasons with the club.  During his spell as a player, Heaney coached youth teams and was very active in the Wilmington soccer community.  Since his retirement from playing, Heaney has aggressively pursued his coaching licenses, earning his USSF D, C, B and most recently completed his A. Heaney has also attended World Football Academy workshops in 2017 and 2018.

Heaney has continued to grow into a great leader of the club, guiding his teams and the ECNL program to consistent improvement in each of his 4 years as ECNL Director.  Recently, Heaney worked to create the ECNL Regional League Director position, occupied by JP Uribe.  Heaney works closely with JP as he connects all older girls programming within the club. The results of his work can be seen by the consistent college commitments that the club is producing.  In 2021 & 2022 every player on the U19 girls ECNL team that Heaney coached will go on to play Div. 1 college soccer.  Under Heaney's leadership the club has seen their first youth national team call-ups with 3 Wilmington Hammerheads players receiving call-ups (Austria, Ireland's and the US) 

In 2023, Heaney was promoted to ECNL Director.  A position that guides and influences both the boys and the girls ECNL programs.  Heaney's focus will be on providing consistency throughout the programming.

Will has been a proud Wilmington resident since 2012. He and his wife, Kaylyn, have been married since 2018 and are expecting their first child in June 22.

will@wilmingtonhammerheadsyouth.com

Alex Nelson, a former standout at Wingate University, finished his first season as a member of the Seahawks' coaching staff in 2019.

Nelson, who hails from Newcastle upon Tyne, England, joined the Seahawks after spending two seasons as a graduate assistant at his alma mater. In his first season as a member of the coaching staff, he guided the Bulldogs to a 14-4-2 record and a berth in the 2017 NCAA Division II Championship.

A three-time First-Team All-South Atlantic Conference selection, he helped the Bulldogs win the 2016 NCAA Division II national championship in addition to three straight regular season conference titles.

Nelson was named as the NCAA Division II Player of the Year by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America as a senior and was a consensus First-Team All-America selection. He also earned Most Outstanding Defensive Player honors at the NCAA Championship as the Bulldogs finished with a 19-1-0 record. 

A three-time captain for the Bulldogs, Nelson started 69-of-70 career games and scored eight goals with one assist.

Nelson earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Wingate University in 2017 and completed his Master’s Degree in Sports Management from Wingate in 2019. He also holds English Football Association Level 1 & 2 Coaching Awards in addition to the US Soccer National D License, F License, and 2 Grassroots Licenses. 

alexn@wilmingtonhammerheadsyouth.com

J.P. Uribe was born in NY/NJ where he played for various Super Y League teams including Parsippany Revolution and the NY Red Bull Program.

He has had the opportunity of playing in many different countries at the youth level where he was mentored by many different high-level professionals. JP played his college soccer at Montclair State University where he was an International Business Major.

He started coaching and training players in 2012 and has worked with many different clubs holding different titles; Technical Director at IFC, Staff coach at Carolina Rapids, and Grass Roots director at Lake Norman S.C. which is now Charlotte Independence Soccer Club. He also owned and founded Prestige Soccer School out of Charlotte where he specialized in helping players grow technically on the ball as well as learning about the game to help better their overall outlook on the beautiful game.

The ECNL Regional League teams have seen significant progress during JP's time in charge.  Player pools have been increased and teams have qualified for playoffs, including the 2007 Girls who will represent the club in the Regional League playoffs in June, 2023.

Today he enjoys spending time with his wife Stephanie and their kids Rielyn and Roman.

jp@wilmingtonhammerheadsyouth.com

Chris Brewer joined the Wilmington Hammerheads in November, 2020 after 15+ years working in the highest levels of youth soccer.  

Brewer, who played his collegiate soccer at Wake Forest University, began his coaching career in Winston Salem with Twin City and NC Fusion.  He would then join the United States Soccer Federation as Youth National Team Coach and Technical Advisor in 2007 when the Development Academy was formed.  

Brewer, who's title at U.S. Soccer was USSF Technical Advisor, worked with the U14, U17, 18 and U20 Men's National Teams, gaining valuable experience and education that included international trips and competitions all over the world.  During his time at U.S. Soccer, Brewer also completed the first USSF Youth Technical Director Course - a 2 year study that culminated in a 10-day trip to Germany to observe the workings of two top Professional Clubs and Youth Academies (Freiburg SC, Hoffenheim) and the German Football Federation.  This course now serves as the highest level of education in the youth area of U.S. Soccer.

In 2012 Brewer was recruited from U.S. Soccer to the Philadelphia Union (MLS) where he would be a leader and integral part in forming what is now widely known as one of the top MLS youth academies in the country.  

Brewer's work at developing players is impressive.  Players that he has worked with are a part of most current MLS teams and, more recently in Europe where several Philadelphia Union academy players have moved to in recent years.  Among the long list of accomplished players that Brewer has worked with throughout his coaching career are current National Team and European based players, Christian Pulisic, Chelsea FC (England), Brendan Aaronsen, RB Salzburg (Austria), and Mark McKenzie, FC Genk (Belgium).

Kyle Hussey joined the Wilmington Hammerheads coaching staff in 2018 upon moving to Wilmington after teaching and coaching in Fayetteville, NC. 

Hussey brings a smile and a positive outlook to most situations he comes across both personally and professionally.  After coaching in the club for several years, Hussey took on the role of Juniors Development Program Director.  As JDP Director he oversees a staff and a player pool that is learning and growing into the sport of soccer.  

Kyle grew up in Fayetteville, playing soccer since the age of 4. Kyle attended The University of North Carolina at Pembroke where he majored in Elementary Education and played for the club soccer team for 4 years. 

After graduating in 2015, Kyle returned to Fayetteville where taught 1st grade for 3 years and began coaching for the Fayetteville Soccer Club and Fayetteville Academy. Kyle has coached every age group at the club level and won The NCISAA 2A Boys Soccer State Championship as an assistant at Fayetteville Academy. 

Kyle currently holds a USSF National ‘D’ License. He lives in Wilmington with his wife Kayla, their cat Marco, and their dog Silas.

kyle@wilmingtonhammerheadsyouth.com

Jyler Noviello joined the Hammerheads organization in the spring of 2021.  Immediately prior to joining WHYFC, Noviello was a men's assistant coach at Penn State under the well respected and long-time college coach, Jeff Cook.  

Noviello has had a great start to his Hammerheads Coaching career, taking over the 2006 and 2007 Girls ECNL National League teams and guiding them towards improvement.  In 2022/23, Noviello has guided the 2007 and 2008 teams to the club's first ECNL Mid-Atlantic Championships titles - a huge honor in the youth soccer landscape.

David Martin joined the coaching staff in 2019 and quickly showed a passion and desire to improve both his players and teams and also himself and his coaching abilities.  

Dave's passion and energy are apparent.  He spends countless hours watching Hammerhead teams, working with coaches, and analyzing the player pools.  In his role, he helps the coaches and directors understand each age group player pools, which includes the strengths, weaknesses and circumstances and challenges that each age group faces.  

In addition to his Scouting role, David coaches the U17 and U19 Boys National League Teams.  

Erin Fritz is in her 5th year as a member of the WHYFC staff.  In her role, Erin oversees all business transactions and accounting inside the club.  In addition, Fritz works closely with staff members and NCYSA to ensure every player in our club is registered and has the necessary paperwork to participate in the organization.

Fritz grew up playing soccer in Greensboro, playing for the Greensboro Twisters.  She can still be found playing in the adult league.  Fritz graduated from UNCW with a degree in accounting.  She is a great team member, a major asset to the club, and is involved in the decision-making process for all club matters.  

Fritz and her husband Tyler have a son (Owen) and a daughter (Adley) and live in Wilmington.

erin@wilmingtonhammerheadsyouth.com

Kim Crabbe is part of U.S. Soccer history.  She was a member of the 1985 George Mason University women's team that defeated North Carolina to win the NCAA National Championship.  This team would be the only team other than UNC to win a women's soccer National Championship in the 1980's.  Following her college career, Crabbe became the first African American woman to be a part of the U.S.  Women's National Team.  

Coach Crabbe as she is known throughout the community has made it her life's work to give back.  Through the Outreach Program Crabbe visits underprivileged areas and schools putting on soccer clinics and practices for the children of these communities.  Her Outreach program has become hugely popular and successful and throughout the course of a year she works with hundreds of young, enthusiastic players.  
Originally from Northern Virginia, Coach Crabbe's work has been recognized by the Mayor and by the city and in 2016 she was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.