NCFC Academy Staff Announces 2022-2023 Coaching Staff

Daniel Sellitti and Ben Speas Join NCFC Academy Coaching Staff

John Bradford, NCFC Academy Director and North Carolina FC Head Coach, announces the 2022-2023 Academy Coaching and Leadership Staff, which includes two new additions: Daniel Sellitti and Ben Speas.

“I’m excited to bring in additional talented coaches into our NCFC Boys Academy Program staff with the additions of Daniel Sellitti and Ben Speas,” said Bradford. “Both coaches bring experience coaching players at high levels and have a passion for player development that will

be extremely valuable to our players in the NCFC Boys Pre-Academy and Academy Programs.”

Since joining NCFC Youth in 2019 as an ECNL (boys) coach, Sellitti has made an immediate impact at the club. His talent and potential have been recognized by club leadership as he’s quickly earned additional responsibilities including being the Assistant Coach with North

Carolina FC U23’s (USL-2 League) and Men’s professional team (USL-1 League). He has also served as the Director of the NCFC Academy Homestay program, which successfully scouted, recruited, and hosted its first player this year, and he created a video production service to help players with their college recruitment process.

Sellitti’s experience in coaching and player development includes collegiate and international experience. He was the Assistant Men’s Coach at Mt. Olive (2018-2019) and Concord University (2016-2018). He is currently the Sporting Director of the Puerto Rican National Teams program, where he serves as an Assistant Coach with the Puerto Rico Men’s Senior National Team and U20 men’s and women’s youth national teams. In his role, he is also responsible for recruiting and scouting players for youth and senior national teams.

As a new full-time staff coach with the NCFC Academy, Sellitti will be the Head Coach of the 13 North and 16 Academy team. He will also oversee player development within the Pre-Academy program and the U13 age group, which includes oversight of Individual Development Plans and combined trainings across North and South regions.

Ben Speas has been coaching with NCFC Youth since retiring from a 9-year professional career in 2020. Speas was a 2-time NCAA National Champion with Akron (2010) and UNC (2011). His standout college career took him to the MLS, where he signed his first professional contract

with the Columbus Crew in 2012. He played 3 seasons with the Crew before professional opportunities with Minnesota United, Indy Eleven, and North Carolina FC.

Alongside his professional playing career, Speas starting coaching in the youth and collegiate game. In addition to coaching at NCFC Youth, he brings high level youth coaching experience from Indiana Fire Academy and Columbus Crew Academy, as well as collegiate coaching from his time as an Assistant Coach with the UNC Men’s team.

Speas will coach the U12 NCFC Pre-Academy South Team and help the NCFC Boys Academy Program overall.

Additionally, Bradley Morrison will add to his responsibilities as he assumes the role of Director of College Recruiting. NCFC Youth has created this role to oversee the communication, education, and assistance to all NCFC Youth players and families throughout the college

recruiting process.

The NCFC Academy and Pre-Academy Staff is rounded out by returning coaches Michael Milazzo, Tom Harris, Bradley Morrison, Ramon Gallardo, Jr., Cory Elenio, Shane Mecham, Jay Williams, and local university coaches and professional players. Current NCFC Academy Coach, Dewan Bader, remains on staff with the NCFC Boys Academy Program with more details to be shared soon.

See below for the full list of 2022-2023 NCFC Academy Coaching and Leadership Staff:

NCFC Boys Academy Program (U13-U19 Age Groups) Team Coaches

U19 NCFC Academy Team (2004/2005)      Tom Harris

U17 NCFC Academy Team (2006)                 Michael Milazzo

U16 NCFC Academy Team (2007)                 Daniel Sellitti

U15 NCFC Academy Team (2008)                 Tom Harris

U14 NCFC Academy Team (2009)                 Michael Milazzo

U13 NCFC Academy North Team (2010)        Daniel Sellitti

U13 NCFC Academy South Team (2010)       Bradley Morrison

Additional NCFC Boys Academy Program (U13-U19 Age Groups) Staff Coaches

Wellington “Pecka” Paeckert – North Carolina FC Professional Player

Carlos Somoano – UNC Men’s Soccer Head Coach

George Kiefer – NC State Men’s Soccer Head Coach

NCFC Boys Pre-Academy Program (U11-U12 Age Groups)

U11 NCFC Academy North Team (2012)   Ramon Gallardo, Jr. & Cory Elenio

U11 NCFC Academy South Team (2012)   Bradley Morrison & Shane Mecham

U12 NCFC Academy North Team (2011)   Ramon Gallardo, Jr. & Jay Williams

U12 NCFC Academy South Team (2011)   Ben Speas & Shane Mecham

      Asst. Coach - Carlos Somoano

NCFC Boys Academy Program Leadership

Academy Program Director                              John Bradford

Asst. Academy Program Director                     Tom Harris

Goalkeeping Director                                         Wezly Barnard

Goalkeeping Staff                                               Giovanni Solis

Director of Scouting & Recruitment                 Henry Gutierrez

Homestay & Education Program Director       Daniel Sellitti

Flexible School Training Program Director       Dewan Bader

Director of College Recruitment                        Bradley Morrison