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 formal partnership agreement bringing the Hammerheads together with JASA, the merger of the Hammerheads Recreational Program with the YMCA recreational program, and the $25M 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 is a dedicated member of the Wilmington Hammerheads, bringing his wealth of experience and passion for soccer to the club. A native of Maryport, England, Heaney honed his skills in the prestigious Newcastle United Academy System before embarking on a noteworthy five-season playing career with the USL Wilmington Hammerheads, beginning in 2012.

During his playing days, Heaney was actively involved in coaching youth teams and became a vibrant part of the Wilmington soccer community. His commitment to developing young talent was paralleled by his pursuit of coaching excellence, earning him a USSF A License.

Since transitioning to a full-time coaching role, Heaney has excelled as a leader within the club. As ECNL Director for the past six years, he has pioneered consistent growth and development in the club's ECNL program, achieving impressive results, including frequent college commitments and National Team call-ups for players. In 2023, Heaney took on the expanded role of ECNL Director, where he now oversees both the boys’ and girls’ programs, focusing on ensuring consistency and excellence in all aspects of their development.

Will has proudly called Wilmington home since 2012. He and his wife, Kaylyn, married in 2018 and are raising their two children, Harrison and Isabel.

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

A native of Statesville, NC, Justin joined Wilmington Hammerheads Youth FC in 2017 as Academy Director and coach. 

As a youth player, Moose played for Charlotte Soccer Club and climbed the ODP ranks. Justin majored in Psychology at Wake Forest University, where he was the ACC Rookie of the Year, a 2-time First Team All-American, a Hermann Trophy award finalist, and set a school assist record. Justin also played for the US U-20 National team and earned PDL Rookie of the Year with the Carolina Dynamo. 

Justin was drafted 7th overall by D.C. United in the 2006 Major League Soccer SuperDraft. He won two Supporters' Shields and made appearances in CONCACAF Champions League. Other career highlights from his 11 year professional career include a game-winning assist in the 2008 USL Championship with Vancouver Whitecaps, earning UEFA Europa League qualification in 2014 with Seinäjoen Jalkapallokerho (Finland), and setting a U.S. Open Cup record for the longest span between goals with Carolina Dynamo in 2002 and Wilmington Hammerheads in 2016.

Justin spent two and a half years in the UK coaching with Southampton FC, and completed a Master's in Football Coaching and Analysis.

Justin joined JASA as Director of Coaching in January 2024 and will oversee the JASA Hammerheads in Jacksonville. His son, August, is playing in the Hammerheads' ECNL program. 

moose@jasa-nc.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.  

chris@wilmingtonhammerheadsyouth.com

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).

chris@wilmingtonhammerheadsyouth.com

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 is tasked with coaching the club's oldest ECNL National league teams while also monitoring the club's player pool and player movement.  

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 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.  Originally from New Jersey, Dave lives in Wilmington with his wife, Jen and son Owen.

dave@wilmingtonhammerheadsyouth.com

Coach Ryan Penton has been a youth soccer coach for more than 15 years. Born in Stafford England, Ryan played at and graduated from Loughborough University with a Bachelors in Chemistry and Sports Science. 

Ryan’s coaching journey started as a part of his degree where he quickly realized he wanted to continue in the coaching side of the game. He moved into the youth soccer world with Stafford Soccer School coaching their U16’s team. In 2008 he moved to the US, starting in NJ, coaching with United Soccer Academy for a season, he met and married his wife Olivia. 

In 2010 they moved to San Diego, where Ryan started his coaching licenses and really developing his skill set as a youth soccer coach. He coached for Manchester Soccer Club before moving to the DMCV Sharks with Shannon Macmillan and Warren Barton. Ryan became the Younger Boys Director and after three season was named the Boys ECNL Director, where he enjoyed and gained fresh perspective working with older players. 

Penton’s perspective as a coach was again influenced by the arrival of his two sons, Teddy and Joey, where he once again was named as the Youth Program Director. 

After completing his US D License, Penton was introduced to Futsal and fell in love with its speed, excitement and creativity. After completing his NCAA Futsal Diploma, he introduced a Futsal program for the DMCV Sharks. 

In 2019 Ryan became the co-founder of SoCal Futsal Club. Since then they have won two USYF Southwest Regional Championships, as well as finalists in both Southwest and Northwest Regionals. Their club has produced some national level Futsal players too, with one of their 2012 Girls representing the US in Brazil at the USYF International Futsal Event. 

Ryan and his family moved to Wilmington in January of 2024.

ryan@wilmingtonhammerheadsyouth.com

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

Kyle 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.  Kyle oversaw the Academy program & U11/12 teams in the club from Fall 2020 - Spring 2024.

Kyle has now moved into the role of Director of Operations for the club & the nCino Sports Park.  In this role, he will oversee all operations of the new Ncino Sports Park.  This includes game day operations, field and facility maintenance, coaching support, program bookings and tournaments.

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.

jyler@wilmingtonhammerheadsyouth.com

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

Chris is a long time coach for the Hammerheads and now NCYSA Club Director.
Having taught and coached several teams of different levels of play for nearly 30 plus years.
Born in England Chris grew up in a family that has lived on 3 different continents. Father was in the UN and Chris attended several different international schools.
Played collegiate soccer at UNCW and professional stints in Tampa Bay and Parma.  
Before joining Hammerheads full time Chris coached High School as well as teaching school.  Chris has coached several Classic teams for the club and enjoys his role as the NCYSA Director to better help connect and assist all the coaches in the Classic teams programs.

Chris lives with his wife and has two daughters and five grandchildren.

charper@wilmingtonhammerheadsyouth.com

Vanessa Phillips Bosshart joined the Wilmington Hammerheads in February 2021after spending 13 years coaching goalkeepers at various levels. Most recently, Vanessa spent four seasons at the University of Connecticut (2018-2021), where she helped goalkeeper Randi Palacios earn Big East Goalkeeper of the Year in 2020. She also worked with Oakwood Soccer Club, coaching the club’s goalkeepers. Vanessa previously worked four seasons (2013-16) at Murray State University as an assistant coach. During her time with the Racers, the team flourished on the field, winning the Ohio Valley regular season and tournament championships in 2015. She coached goalkeeper Shelby Haworth, who earned OVC All-Newcomer in 2014 and goalkeeper Alex Steigerwald, who earned OVC All-Newcomer and OVC Second Team in 2015. In 2016, the Racers were unbeaten in conference play and were co-regular season champs in the Ohio Valley. Vanessa also worked as an assistant coach at University of Arkansas for two seasons (2010-11) and University of North Florida for two seasons (2007-09).

Vanessa has coached in the NPSL with Hartford City FC and in the WPSL with Port City FC. She began learning to coach goalkeepers in 2003, as a staff coach for Tony DiCiccio’s SoccerPlus Goalkeeper Camps. Eight years later, she worked her way up to a director position, where she directed SoccerPlus Goalkeeper Camps until 2016.

Prior to beginning her coaching career, she played collegiately at the University of Tennessee (2002-05) and was their starting goalkeeper for three seasons. She was a two-time All-SEC second team member and was a 2004 NSCAA Academic All-American. Her Tennessee team reached the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA tournament 3 out of her 4 years. After graduating, she played one season of professional soccer with the Ottawa Fury in the W-League (2007).

Vanessa holds a US Soccer C License, US Soccer Goalkeeper C License, United Soccer Coaches National Diploma, and United Soccer Coaches Advanced National Goalkeeping Diploma. She is also a goalkeeper coach for the United States Women’s Youth National Teams.

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.