Sporting Kaw Valley

Stefan St. Louis is originally from Chaguanas, Trinidad and Tobago. He is a graduate of Oakland University in Michigan where he received a BA in Communications and played four years of Division I NCAA soccer. After graduating he played professionally in Norway with Kjelsas Fotball, and then returned to the US and played in the Premier Arena Soccer League with Detroit Waza Pro Flo; in the Major Indoor Soccer League with the Kansas City Comets; in the Major Arena Soccer League with the Milwaukee Wave, St. Louis Ambush, Utica City FC; and with Rapids City FC in the Major League Indoor Soccer. During each of these professional engagements, Stefan was always coaching as well. 

Stefan comes to Sporting Kaw Valley from Grand Rapids, Michigan where he coached with Midwest United FC. Holding a USSF B License as well as a NSCAA Level 1 Futsal Diploma, St Louis was the Head Coach of multiple MLSNext boys teams, ECRL girls teams and USL-W team. He was on the coaching staff of Aquinas College and Harris Stowe State University. Prior to working with Midwest United FC, St Louis coached and was the assistant Director of Coaching for Sporting St Louis. 

Colby Williams has more than 20 years of experience coaching players ages 8-18 years old. He holds a USSF ‘B’ License and played soccer for Benedictine College and the Oklahoma City Slickers. His career highlights include being All-State and having the highest goals per game average at John Marshall High School; 4 year starter, All-District, All-Conference, and co-captain at Benedictine College; Rookie of the Year for the Oklahoma City Slickers and Southwest Division Champs; and playing on the Oklahoma All-Star Touring Team playing in Scotland and England. Before joining Sporting Kaw Valley, Colby was the founder and Director of Coaching for the Prodigy Soccer Club in Topeka, KS for 15 years. Colby holds a BA in Business from Benedictine, a BA in Education and a Masters in Education from Washburn University. He is originally from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Mauro Nobre has more than 30 years of experience coaching U6-U19 boys and coed teams at Sporting Kaw Valley, formerly Kaw Valley Soccer Association. He holds a USSF ‘C’ License and currently serves as the Director of the Boys and Girls Academy at SKV as well as a Premier Coach. Mauro was voted the 2004 Coach of the Year by the Kansas Youth Soccer Association and coached several state boys teams for the Kansas Olympic Development Program (ODP) over the course of 12 years. While in Lawrence, Mauro studied philosophy at the University of Kansas. He is originally from Santa Maria, Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil.

Mike Sanchez has more than 10 years coaching U8-U18 boys and girls. In addition to serving as the Technical Director and Premier Coach for SKV, Mike is also the Head Girls Coach at Manhattan High School. He has developed top student athletes that have moved on to play collegiately at NCAA, Division II, NAIA and Junior Colleges. During his time at the helm of the Lady Indians program, he has guided the team to two 6A State Final Fours, five Quarter Finals, and five Regional final championships. He holds a USSF National ‘D’ License and NSCAA National Diploma. Formerly, Mike played soccer for McPherson College and was a three-year letter winner. He coached with the Kansas Olympic Development Program and was the assistant coach for the Manhattan High School boy’s team. Prior to joining SKV, Mike was the founder and director for Real Kansas United soccer club in Manhattan, Kansas. He holds a BS in Business Administration from Kansas State University. Mike is originally from Oceanside, California.

Declan Adams has been coaching in the SKV Academy and Premier leagues for several years, specifically coaching U10 and U12 boys, and U9 girls teams. He currently holds a USSF D license. Declan grew up in Westminster, Colorado with 16 years playing experience under Westminster Soccer Club, Broomfield Soccer club, and Rapids Youth Soccer Club. He was a 3 year letter winner at Standley Lake High School and State cup winner in Colorado. He is currently attending the University of Kansas studying Business Management and Leadership. 

Preston Copeland brings a wealth of experience and passion for soccer to Sporting Kaw Valley Soccer Club. A native of Tallahassee, FL, Preston was a dedicated athlete, playing varsity soccer all four years at Cairo High School in Cairo, GA. Preston holds a USSF D License, a National Federation of State High School Associations Coach Level 2 License and is a member of the United Soccer Coaches Association. He has a personal commitment to youth sports, and is dedicated to fostering a positive and competitive environment at SKV.

Doug Desmarteau has been the head Men’s soccer coach at Allen Community College for the last 18 years, he was also the women’s head coach for 9 years. While head coach Allen has won 3 conference championships, two region titles, and been to the final four of the region 9 times. He also has been the athletic director for the last nine years. Before coming to Iola he was the head Varsity soccer coach for Manhattan High School for five years. While at MHS he compiled a record of 49 wins and 19 losses. The team captured three regional titles and one I-70 league championship. He was named Central Region Coaches Association Class 6A Coach of the year twice. He was also the Director of Coaching and Player Development for the Little Apple Soccer Club for 5 years. Worked with the Kansas, Alaska, and Nevada Olympic development programs for over 15 years. Doug holds a USSF national B license, has a BS degree in Mathematics from Kansas State University, and a MS in Sports Administration from Liberty University. He currently resides in Iola, Kansas, and is originally from Emporia, Kansas.

Pedro grew up playing soccer in Hutchinson, Kansas. He has been playing soccer for over 30 years. He enjoys playing and coaching. He has obtained his “D” license and during the past 13 years he has coached club soccer for ages U8-U13. He has taken these teams to in state and out of state tournaments and has successfully managed to win over 36 championships and 5 finalists. He has developed players and coached them to play as a team. In May 2017, he started his coaching journey with Sporting Kaw Valley (SKV). He has coached and assisted academy and premier teams. In March of 2018, he accepted a soccer coaching position at Manhattan High School. Since May 2018, he has been an assistant coach for Manhattan High boys’ soccer team. 

Aaron Grant is from a small village in Scotland, called Seafield in West Lothian. He has 15+ years playing experience at the semi-professional (Stoneyburn Juniors FC) and college levels. He came to the United States in 2016 to play for Pratt Community College where he captained the team as a freshman and sophomore, and where he received first team all conference and all-region honors, and defensive MVP. Aaron went on to play for Bethel University in McKenzie, Tennessee which was ranked 12th in the nation. Aaron joined Sporting Kaw Valley in 2024 and coaches Academy and Premier teams in addition to doing private training. Aaron holds a USSF D License.

Ed Heberling joins Sporting Kaw Valley after recently moving to Lawrence in January 2024. Ed holds a BA and MS in Sports Management and is studying towards an EdD in leadership from the University of Cumberlands. He has 25 years of coaching experience at he high school, club, and collegiate levels. Ed revived the men's and women's soccer programs at Iowa Wesleyan College, coached both programs at Tri-County Technical College, started the women's program at the University of South Carolina Beaufort, assisted at Utah State University, and directed Montgomery (MD) College women's soccer. Outside of college coaching, Ed worked for Real Salt Lake in their youth development academy and managed their indoor soccer facility in North Logan, UT. He served as the Director of Goalkeeping for Northern Utah United where he also coached a 2004 NUU Tsunami girls' team to a third-place finish at the USYS President's Cup national tournaments in 2022.

Outside team coaching, Ed trains goalkeepers and attacking players in individual and small group sessions, provides college recruiting consulting and co-hosts a podcast called Ball Side, Goal Side. Ed holds a D license and GK 1 & 2 certifications. He is married to his wife, Laura, and has two sons, Hollis and Hayes. Ed will be on the faculty at MidAmerica Nazarene as an assistant professor of sports management starting in the fall of 2024. He is originally from Taylorville, IL.

Jeremy McGinnis has 22 years of coaching experience. He holds a USSF ‘C’ License, a NSCAA Premier Coaching License, NSCAA Advanced National Diploma, and NSCAA Goalkeeping Levels 1, 2 and 3 Diplomas. He is the current Women’s Head Coach at Allen Community College. He is the winningest women’s soccer coach in the school’s 20-year history. Jeremy played soccer for Allen Community College and Neosho Community College. Prior to joining Sporting Kaw Valley, Jeremy coached with Prodigy Soccer Club, Midland College in Nebraska, Ottawa University, and Topeka West High School. He holds a BA in Organizational Leadership from Fort Hays State University. Jeremy is originally from Topeka, Kansas.

Brian Nelson has nearly 20 years of coaching experience with players age 5 to 19. Brian was formerly the Director of Coaching for Little Apple Soccer Club and is now the Director of the SKV Academy in Manhattan. He holds a National D Coaching license. Originally from Emporia, Kansas, Brian was a four year starter for Emporia High School and was All-State his junior and senior years as a center back. Brian holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Kansas State University.

Born in Manhattan, KS, Conall started playing soccer when he was young through Ogden Youth Sports in Ogden, KS. He later transferred to played in Manhattan through Flint Hill Soccer Club. He finished his playing career at Manhattan High School where he played on varsity for all four years in attendance. He was a two time All-State player his junior and senior year.  Conall has coached with Sporting Kaw Valley for four years covering preschool, pre-academy, Academy and Premier teams.

Born in San Diego, Victor is a lifelong soccer player and coach. He played from the young age of 4 until an ACL injury ended his ability to play at age 22. He has been a full time coach since he was out of high school and has coached at the Club, ODP, High School (winning 5 state championships), and college levels in LA, Vegas, Ft. Lauderdale, Houston, Miami, Myrtle Beach and now Lawrence, KS!  Victor has his USSF "C" License.

Scott has more than 12 years coaching experience with boys and girls premier and academy teams. He holds a USSF National 'D' License. In addition to his coaching experience, Scott also played at the collegiate level for Missouri Southern State University. He also played with Udinese (Kansas City) and Schwaben AC (Illinois) club teams. While with Schwaben AC, Scott traveled to Germany and played against German club teams. He holds a BS in Business Administration from Missouri State Southern University. Scott is originally from Overland Park, Kansas.

Jonathan Taylor has 5 years of coaching experience on both the girls and boys side with Sporting Kaw Valley. He is currently coaching the U12 girls’ team in Manhattan. Jonathan grew up playing with the Flint Hills Soccer Club and Little Apple Soccer Club for 8 years in Manhattan, Kansas. He played at Manhattan High School for 4 years, where he was a 2 time All-State player his junior and senior year. He continued his playing career at MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, KS, where he was a 3 year starter. He currently holds his Master’s in Business Administration from MidAmerica Nazarene University.

Gordon Temple's coaching experience with U10 to U19 youth Premier players spans nearly 10 years. He holds a USSF C licence and currently serves as an Assistant Coach for Baker University Women's Soccer team (since 2017) and an Assistant Coach for Kaw Valley FC (USL2) men's team (since 2018). He was formerly an Assistant Coach with Ottawa University Men's Soccer team, a HC for the KS Olympic Development Program, and an Academy Affiliate Director/Age Group Evaluator for Sporting KC.  Gordon played competitive soccer at Ottawa University and Iowa Central Community College. As team captain, he was named All-Conference and KCAC Runner Up while playing for Ottawa University, and while at #5 nationally ranked Iowa Central, was named All-Conference. Gordon holds a BA in Sports Administration from Ottawa University and an MA in Sports Management from Baker University. He is originally from Edinburgh, Scotland.