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. 

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.

Declan Adams has been coaching with the SKV Academy and Premier teams for the past five years, working with players from U9 through U15. He has also worked with both the 1st and 2nd teams on the Premier side and continues to focus on growing each player’s love of the game while developing their technical skills. For the last three years, he has dedicated much of his time to the youngest girls in the SKV Academy, where he has found a strong passion for helping them grow as players and people. Declan is a recent graduate of the University of Kansas with a degree in Business Management and Leadership, emphasizing organizational leadership. He currently holds a USSF D License and is pursuing his USSF C License to continue advancing his coaching knowledge and expertise. Originally from Westminster, Colorado, Declan grew up playing for some of the state’s largest clubs, including the Colorado Rapids Youth Program and Broomfield Soccer Club, now part of MLS Next 2.

Kaleb Bays is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, where he earned a Bachelor of Music Education and a Bachelor of Music Composition. Growing up in Oklahoma, Kaleb played for South Lake Cosmos, where he developed a lasting love for the game that carried into coaching. Kaleb has two years of coaching experience working with U10 and U12 players, and he is currently working toward his USSF D License. He teaches music at Jefferson County North Elementary and Middle School, where he works with kids every day on discipline, teamwork, and growth, the same things he tries to build in his players. Kaleb is originally from Mustang, Oklahoma.

Born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Douglas grew up playing soccer and futsal. His passion led him to play futsal professionally around the world in Portugal, Poland, Czech Republic, Latvia, and finally to the US where he settled in the Chicago area. Douglas has a degree in Physical Education from Universidade Augusto Motta - Unisuam in Rio de Janeiro. He is also a certified personal trainer. With 10 years coaching experience, Douglas has coached for Grand FC Mustangs and Bloomingdale Lightning FC. He holds a USSF D License. Douglas prides himself on being a team player and bringing his best to the club, players and families.

George Gunn is originally from South London, England and has over a decade of coaching experience across the collegiate, academy, and youth levels in both England and the United States. He currently serves as the Assistant Women's Soccer Coach at NCAA Division II Emporia State University, competing in the MIAA Conference. Prior to Emporia State, George spent time at Missouri S&T and Goldey-Beacom College as an Assistant Coach. In addition to his collegiate experience, George has coached within the Girls Academy, Olympic Development Program, and youth academy environments including Philadelphia Union Youth and AFC Bournemouth in his home country. Prior to moving to the U.S, George worked as a personal trainer and sports massage therapist alongside coaching and spent his playing days playing the non-league circuit and in club academies. He holds a USSF B License, and is passionate about player development, recruiting, and building positive, competitive team cultures.

Jane Grimley-Gunn brings over ten years experience coaching at the collegiate, academy, and youth levels. She currently serves as the head women’s soccer coach at NCAA DII Emporia State University, competing in the MIAA Conference. Prior to joining Emporia State, Jane was the head coach at DII Missouri S&T and assisted at DII Goldey-Beacom College. In addition to her collegiate coaching experience, Jane has coached with Sporting Athletic Club Girls Academy, Philadelphia Union Youth, and Olympic Development Programs. She was recognized nationally as a recipient of the United Soccer Coaches "30 Under 30 Award" in 2019. Jane played collegiately at Goldey-Beacom College and holds a Master's degree from Temple University, USSF “B” License, and United Soccer Coaches College Coach Credential. Jane is originally from Franklinville, New Jersey.

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.

Josh Kutter is a dedicated educator and coach who currently teaches History and serves as the head soccer coach at Topeka West High School. Known for his passion for both the classroom and the soccer field, Kutter was selected for All-City and All-United Kansas Conference Coach of the Year honors for the Fall 2024 season.

A Topeka native, Josh always found ways to stay engaged in the sport when he finished playing. He volunteered for parks and rec programs, was an assistant high school coach, and coached when he lived abroad. Josh spent nearly three years living in Nicaragua, where he devoted his time to volunteering, teaching, and coaching. His love for the game and commitment to youth development are reflected in his favorite saying: “Every day with soccer is a good day!”

Born and raised in Topeka, Kansas, Patrick Minjares is a passionate, high-energy coach dedicated to empowering youth on and off the soccer field. With over six years of recreational coaching experience and 1 of premier, he focuses on holistic player development emphasizing nutrition, recovery, and mental resilience. Patrick holds a Coerver Youth Diploma and a USSF D License, with plans to earn his USSF C License. He also serves as a paraprofessional at Shawnee Heights Middle School, where he motivates students to grow as individuals and strive for excellence in all areas of life. His long-term goal is to turn his passion for coaching and mentorship into a full-time career, helping others unlock their full potential. He believes, “the most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do.”

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 6 years covering preschool, pre-academy, Academy and Premier teams.

Bryan has 30 years of coaching experience dating back to his days as a student teacher and coach in the mid 1990’s. Bryan has multiple experiences coaching at the high school level, premier club soccer level, and collegiate level. Sailer is the winningest coach in program history at Emporia State and seventh winningest coach in MIAA history. In his time at Emporia State, he turned a winless program into a national powerhouse. He won multiple MIAA Championships while at ESU. Sailer has been a winner everywhere he has coached with a combined collegiate and high school record of 338-141-37 at four schools, including a 59-23-2 record in four years at Barton CC in Great Bend, Kan. He was tabbed the Jayhawk Conference Coach of the Year in 2008 after guiding Barton to an 18-4 record in his second season at the helm. Bryan holds an NSCAA National Diploma. Bryan is originally from Rochester New York, where played at the collegiate level for Monroe Community College and SUNY Brockport in upstate New York. Bryan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and a Master’s degree in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation. In his last stint coaching for Sporting Kaw Valley, Bryan led the Sporting Kaw Valley Nationals to the club’s first State Cup Championship in the fall of 2015.

Mike Sanchez has more than 14 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.

Scott has more than 15 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.

Born and raised in Quincy, Illinois, Kevin brings a strong passion for soccer and player development to every team he coaches. He has 6 years of coaching experience with boys’ and girls’ teams from U7 through U12, along with competitive-level experience assisting a U18 boys’ team while in college. As a former four-year soccer player at Baker University,  he earned his degree in Accounting, He understands the value of teamwork, discipline, and building confidence both on and off the field. He currently holds USSF Grassroots licenses for 7v7, 9v9, and 11v11 and is pursuing a USSF D License.

Jonathan Taylor has 7 years of coaching experience on both the girls and boys side with Sporting Kaw Valley. 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.

Patrick Waugh more than 20 years of coaching both girls and boys ages 6-19 Premier and Academy teams. He holds a National Diploma and an Advanced National diploma by the NSCAA and a USSF 'C' license. Patrick played for Cornell College and University of St. Mary which included 3 year all-conference honors. In 2003, he started with Prodigy Soccer Club in Topeka for 9 years before joining SKV in 2012. Patrick holds a BA in Informations Systems Technology from the University of St. Mary. He is originally from Topeka KS.