VSI Tampa Flames News Release – www.vispro.co
Friday, March 30, 2012
TAMPA, Fla. – VSI Tampa Flames have named Joel Harrison to be the Head Coach of the club's new PDL franchise.
“During the process of formalizing our relationship with Brandon FC we had the opportunity to meet and spend time with Joel several times and by the end of the process it was an easy decision to hire him as our PDL coach,” said John Mitchell, Head of VSI Operation North America. “Joel’s relationships throughout the country with college, club and professional coaches will not only help with the formation and development of our PDL team but also with our other USL franchises and youth initiatives.”
“First, I want to thank Clay Roberts and Randy Belli for their support and belief in me over the last year and one-half while the relationship with VSI was in the works and being formalized,” Harrison said. “When they first approached me about VSI, it sounded too good to be true, but when I met John Mitchell and sat in on the meetings, I grew more and more excited about VSI and their vision for their US initiatives.
“Second, I want to thank John Mitchell and Gareth Alexander for the trust they have placed in me with this tremendous opportunity to be part of VSI’s US initiatives from the ground up. I have been looking for a new challenge in soccer for the last couple of years and this is a tremendous opportunity that I’m ready to tackle head on.”
Harrison brings a wealth of experience that covers every level of soccer in the United States. He spent over 20 years as a college soccer coach, including stops at Saint Leo University (Head Coach), The University of Central Arkansas (Head Coach), West Texas A&M (Assistant Coach) and Triton Junior College (Head Coach). His collegiate head coaching record is 143-69-12 (12 years). In 2002, Harrison led UCA to the NCAA Division II Final Four and to the school’s first Gulf South Conference (GSC) championship in any sport. During his four years at UCA, he was twice named the GSC coach of the year (2001 & 2002) and the NSCAA South Region Coach of the Year (2002). While at Saint Leo, Harrison again led the University to their first conference championship in any sport by capturing the 2005 SSC Championship and leading the Men’s program to their first appearance in the NCAA Division II Soccer Tournament. Harrison was named the SSC and NSCAA South Region Coach of the year in 2005.
Harrison’s other coaching experience includes: Director of Coaching and Player Development for the Indiana Youth Soccer Association, and the Assistant Coach and Director of Youth Development for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL PRO). Harrison is currently the Brandon FC NPL Technical Director and coaches the 16 and U18 boys. His coaching credentials include: USSF A licenses, USSF National Youth License, NSCAA Premier Diploma and FAI International Diploma.
VSI Tampa Flames opens their season on Sunday, May 6th at 6 p.m. against the Ocala Stampede at JC Handley Park.