NCFC Academy Staff Announces 2023-2024 Coaching Staff
Gabriel Colon & Rusty Scarborough Join Academy Staff 

John Bradford, NCFC Academy Director and North Carolina FC Head Coach, announces the 2023-2024 Academy Coaching and Leadership Staff, which includes two new additions: Gabriel Colon and Rusty Scarborough. Colon will be the NCFC Academy Youth Development Director and team coach and Scarborough returns to NCFC as an Academy Staff Coach. 

Colon joins NCFC Youth from Richmond United where he served as Club Administrator for the U23 Men’s team and the U13-U19 Boys program. He served as Head Coach within the club for teams within the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL), Club Champions League (CCL) Pro23, and U.S. Soccer Development Academy. He has a track record during his time with New York Red Bulls (2014-2015), Orlando City Youth (2015-2016), Florida’s Olympic Development Program (2019) and Florida Rush (2016-2019; 2020-2022) of developing players that have gone on to play in professional academies, youth national teams, and professional clubs. 

“I am excited to add Gabriel Colon to our NCFC Academy Staff in the newly formed role of the Youth Development Director. Gabriel has a strong track record of player development and team success,” said Bradford, NCFC Academy Director. “His recent success with his Richmond United U17 and U16 teams both advancing to Round of 16 of the ECNL National Playoffs, and the 17’s winning today’s ECNL National Championship, is a clear testament to his ability to coach his players to achieve both individual and team success.”

In addition to his team coaching responsibilities, Colon will be the Youth Development Director. Th is a new role within the program where Colon will have technical oversight of the Pre-Academy & U13-U14 Age groups, running combined trainings, and supporting the player pathway throughout the Academy and the entire club.  The Youth Development Director Role is part of the ongoing reorganization of the NCFC Boys Academy Program, as well as the club’s reimagined emphasis on top player development. 

Colon is originally from Florida and has devoted himself to his coaching education and development. He has his USSF B License, USYS National Youth Certificate, Argentine Football Association B License, United soccer Coaches Premier Diploma, among others. 

The NCFC Academy will also welcome back Rusty Scarborough to the program beginning Fall 2023. Scarborough is a veteran coach in the industry, with more than 4 decades of coaching experience, which included a 9-year span (2005-2014) at NCFC Youth (then CASL). During his coaching tenure, he also spent time with Charlotte Independence (2019-2022), IMG Academy (2014-2019), among others while also taking on head coach roles at the college level with Greensboro College and NC Wesleyan. 

Scarborough’s on-field success is marked by 14 North Carolina State Championships, 4 USYS Regional Final appearances, 5 National Championship appearances with the US Soccer Development Academy and ECNL, and making the NCAA post-season tournament 4 out of 5 years in his college coach run. He is a 12-time Coach of the Year across varying levels of play. Scarborough holds his USSF A License, Director of Coaching Diploma, and Advanced National Diploma.

"I am excited to join NCFC and the Academy program. NCFC has proven to be one of the top clubs at every level, Youth to Professional. After being at CASL (now NCFC Youth) for 9 plus years, I am honored to rejoin one of the best staffs in the country,” said Scarborough. “In my 41 years coaching, I have been blessed and honored to work with so many great young female and male players, and I look forward to working with NCFC players this season.”

The NCFC Academy and Pre-Academy Staff is rounded out by returning coaches Daniel Sellitti, Jay Williams, Ramon Gallardo, Jr., Cory Elenio, Christopher Harrington, Dewan Bader, and local university coaches and professional players. 

See below for the full list of 2023-2024 NCFC Academy Coaching and Leadership Staff: 

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

U19 NCFC Academy Team (2005/2006)                     Christopher Harrington

U17 NCFC Academy Team (2007)                              Daniel Sellitti

U16 NCFC Academy Team (2008)                              Christopher Harrington

U15 NCFC Academy Team (2009)                              Daniel Sellitti

U14 NCFC Academy Team (2010)                              Gabriel Colon

U13 NCFC Academy North Team (2011)                    Gabriel Colon

U13 NCFC Academy South Team (2011)                    Dewan Bader

Additional NCFC Boys Academy Program (U14-U19 Age Groups) Assistant 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 (2013)                    Ramon Gallardo, Jr. & Cory Elenio

U11 NCFC Academy South Team (2013)                    Dewan Bader & Jay Williams

U12 NCFC Academy North Team (2012)                    Ramon Gallardo, Jr. & Cory Elenio

U12 NCFC Academy South Team (2012)                    Rusty Scarborough & Jay Williams