Rangers Academy crest
Rangers Academy
Est. 2006 · Together
The People Behind the Crest

Coaches who buildplayers & people.

Meet the staff shaping Rangers Academy — a coaching group united by experience, character, and a love for the game we share with the communities we serve.

Meet the Coaches
17+
Coaches
178+
Combined Yrs Coaching
20
Years Est. 2006
Rangers Academy crest
The Staff

Head Coaches

Alex Cruz
Head Coach
Fort Wayne, IN
Alex Cruz
U12B · U13B
Played: Indiana Tech

"Player Development is more important than winning for me. Seeing any player develop from a level onto the next with a better understanding of their techniques & abilities, it's way more rewarding to see as a coach. Consistently training hard to be a better version of themselves, that's what Player Development is."

12 yrs coachingProfile →
Dustin Minard
Head Coach
Peru, IN
Dustin Minard
U9B
Played: Trine University

"Player Development is the core of a solid player leading to a proficient team. I believe in developing the players on and off the field. On the field player development is a long term process of fostering a players technical and tactical skills rather than pushing a winning mentality."

5.5 yrs coachingProfile →
Carl Philip Dorissant
Head Coach
Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Carl Philip Dorissant
U11B
Played: Purdue University Fort Wayne

"Player development means creating an environment to empower the player to maximize their full potential mentally, technically and physically. It is essential especially at the younger age where players can play free while learning the intricate part of the game focusing on fundamentals and game knowledge."

21 yrs coachingProfile →
Lorenzo Cardoso
Head Coach
São Paulo, Brasil
Lorenzo Cardoso
U11G · U14G
Played: Indiana Tech

"Player development goes beyond the field. My main goal is to help shape strong individuals through grit, fundamentals, passion, personality, honesty, and bravery."

3 yrs coachingProfile →
Jozsef Feher
Head Coach
Făgăraș, Romania
Jozsef Feher
U10G
Played: Nitramonia Făgăraș

"Player development depends on what age group and level you are coaching. At youth level my focus is to develop the fundamentals of the game, the respect for the game, teammates and coaches. At the older level you still work on the fundamentals but start to introduce the tactics of the game, the understanding of formations and teach life lessons and respect that they can use outside of soccer."

25 yrs coachingProfile →
Sam Pech-Scott
Head Coach
Cozumel, Mexico
Sam Pech-Scott
U10B
Played: Tacoma Stars

"Player development to me means giving the players the environment to be challenged while explicitly instructing them with the skills they need to improve."

17 yrs coachingProfile →
Luiz Matteus Pontes Barros
Head Coach
Joao Pessoa, Brasil
Luiz Matteus Pontes Barros
U14B · U15B
Played: Goshen College / Brevard College

"Player development for me is about believing in who you can become before you even see it yourself."

2 yrs coachingProfile →
Mansa Wimes
Head Coach
Fort Wayne, IN
Mansa Wimes
U8
Played: Northrop
2 yrs coachingProfile →
The Staff

Staff Coaches

Alex Bruns
Alex Bruns
Assistant Coach
3 yrs coaching
Played: Bishop Dwenger
Paul Cook
Paul Cook
Staff Coach
20 yrs coaching
Played: Trine University
Jeff Edgel
Jeff Edgel
Staff Coach
6 yrs coaching
Played: Huntington University
Chris Harrington
Chris Harrington
Staff Coach
6 yrs coaching
Played: Purdue University
Ryan Hull
Ryan Hull
Specialist Coach
16 yrs coaching
Played: University of Saint Francis
Heather Lemmon
Heather Lemmon
Performance Coach
4 yrs coaching
Played: PFW (trainer)
Chris Penar
Chris Penar
Assistant Coach
5 yrs coaching
Played: University of Montana
Alex Shidler
Alex Shidler
Staff Coach
2 yrs coaching
Played: Garrett
Our Identity

The Rangers Academy Standard

Elite Methodology. Lifelong Drive. Futbol with Soul.

We believe that elite technical development should never come at the cost of a player’s spirit. By focusing on the individual through the lens of our methodology, we cultivate not just “players,” but technically brave, creative human beings who love the ball and possess the drive to lead.

V. The Standard

Elite Training Methodology — The 5 Pillars

Our methodology differentiates itself through the integration of Futsal — the game that has developed the world’s greatest technical players. We use Futsal to create a high-speed, high-density environment that accelerates development.

01
Technical Mastery

Precision in ball control, passing, and receiving in high-pressure, tight spaces.

02
Tactical Intelligence

Teaching the “why” behind the game so players become independent problem-solvers.

03
Creative Freedom & Futsal

Encouraging technical bravery, flair, and 1v1 confidence. Futsal provides 600% more ball touches than outdoor soccer.

04
Speed of Play

Training the brain to see the play before it happens in a high-intensity environment.

05
Competitive Mentality

Building the resilience and discipline required for high-level play.

I. Section

The Platform vs. The Educator

Leagues provide the stage for competition. Academies provide the curriculum, technical corrections, and culture. At Rangers Academy, we prioritize the educator — and use leagues as a tool to provide the “optimal challenge.”

II. Section

Agile Placement

We don’t lock teams into a fixed league affiliation. Our technical staff reviews every team each year, and we move into higher platforms only when our players have earned the move — entering as drivers of the game, not just participants.

III. Section

Beyond the Alphabet Soup

We choose platforms based on the optimal challenge for each team — not for a logo. Your investment stays with your child’s development, not a league’s licensing fees or distant travel budgets.

IV. The Reality of the Pyramid

One uncompromising standard — for every player.

Most academies pour their resources into the top 7%, leaving the other 93% in the dark. We don’t. Every player in our academy receives the same elite technical training — the same “heavy lifting” from our staff — whether they’re tracking toward college soccer or using the game to build character for their future career.

70%

of youth players quit sports by age 13 — driven by pressure and burnout.

6–7%

of high school players will ever play at the collegiate level.

<1%

of players reach the professional level. We protect the other 99% too.

We combat the “dropout cliff” by prioritizing the Joy of the Game and a genuine Love for the Ball. A player who loves the game is a player who stays in the game.

VI. Life Skills

The “Hirable” Athlete

Soccer is our classroom. Every elite technical requirement on the pitch translates to a high-value professional skill.

Emotional Intelligence

Composure under extreme stress and conflict resolution with referees, teammates, and opponents.

Extreme Accountability

The discipline of consistent training builds an internal standard of professional reliability.

Strategic Adaptability

Tactical IQ trains independent problem-solvers who adapt plans in real time without supervision.

The “Together” Standard

Constant, clear communication under pressure — giving and receiving feedback instantly.

Resilience

Through higher resistance, players learn that failure is a data point for growth.

Career ROI

Former competitive athletes earn 7–8% higher salaries and make up 94% of women in C-suite positions.

VII. Our Commitment

Whether their soccer journey carries them to the collegiate stage or directly into the boardrooms and communities of tomorrow, they will leave Rangers Academy with an unbreakable foundation.

This is our standard. This is Futbol with Soul.