MEET OUR STAFF Providing quality coaches is one commitment we make to providing you the best soccer experience possible!

Daouda Kante EXECUTIVE / TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Daouda became Rush Technical Director in 2009 and Executive Director last summer after coaching in the club for 4 years. A defender on the Mali National Team, Daouda played in World Cup Qualifying matches and at a professional level with the New England Revolution, DC United of MLS, and St. Louis Steamers/ in MISL. Daouda’s passion is teaching and for the past 7 years he has coached at Rush while also coaching the KC Wizards Juniors U13-14, ODP Head Coach Boys ’94 & ’95, and at Baker University. Daouda has a USSF “B” license.

Dan Naidu For the past 8 years Dan has coached competitive soccer at Kansas Rush and held variety administrative positions including Director of Micro Soccer, Tournaments, Rush Academy, RASL. He has a USSF “C” License, and a NSCAA National Diploma. Dan was a product of GA youth soccer and played collegiately at the University of Georgia as defender.

Casey Stevens Juniors Age Group Director (U12-U14 Girls and Boys) Casey begins his third year coaching in the club after three years in another club. Prior to that Casey played professionally for the Kansas City Comets (MISL), Cocas Expos, and KC Brass. Casey has a USSF “D” License and played collegiately at the University of Evansville (Division 1) as a Midfielder. Casey is known for a hand on approach and strong technical knowledge.

Randall Porter Seniors Age Group Director (U15-U18 Girls and Boys). Randall is his second year coaching at Rush. Randall has over 20-years high level coaching experience with the Kansas City Wizards Juniors U-16 coach, Blue Valley Stars Age Group Coordinator, and ODP (Olympic Development Program) coach. A product of Raytown High School, Randall played college soccer at Graceland University of the NAIA, where he later served as an assistant coach during the team's 2006 NAIA National Championship. After college, Randall was the 7th overall pick in the WISL draft and he played professionally for the Sacramento Knights of the WISL and also for the KC Brass. Randall has coached youth players for Elk Grove United (California), the KC Nomads and the Blue Valley Stars.

Fatai Ayoade Fatai is in his second year coaching at Rush and 11th season as the Head Soccer Coach at Johnson County Community College (following 10 years as an assistant coach). He has earned national recognition after leading JCCC to two NJCAA Tournament appearances, a third-place national finish in 2001 and a fifth-place finish in 2004. Fatai has been selected the KJCCC/Region VI Coach of the Year three times, the NSCAA/Adidas Central Region Coach of the Year twice, and National Coach of the Year candidate twice. In addition to his accomplishments as a college coach, Fatai’s career has always included the development of youth players, through his position as head coach for the club team. Fatai has developed many boys and girls who went on to very successful careers in college soccer and he has led youth teams to numerous titles, including a U-16 Boys National Championship

Kevin Coniglio Kevin enters his second year with the club after moving with his family from Lincoln, NE where he held leadership positions and coached for the NFC Soccer Club, the Nebraska Rush Soccer Club, the Capital Soccer Association and the Lincoln United Soccer Club. Kevin has additional coaching experience at the BFut International Soccer Institute in Miami, the West Pines United F.C. in Pembroke Pines, FL and at American Heritage High School in Plantation, FL. Kevin played his college soccer at Nebraska Wesleyan University and Briar Cliff University, and he played professionally with the Sioux City Breeze of the USISL.

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Brandi Leggett Brandi Wright-Leggett is a club Alumnus from Olathe North High School where she set the Kansas record for goals with 102 and was the Gatorade Kansas High School Soccer Player of the Year. Brandi earned a scholarship to Temple University where she was co-captain and earned Atlantic 10 Player of the Week honors twice in her collegiate career. After college, Brandi coached soccer for 10 years in the Philadelphia area as a Varsity Assistant Coach, JV Head Coach, and Youth coach. Brandi now teaches third grade at Prairie Ridge Elementary School in the De Soto School District.

Aaron Payne Aaron is entering his 4th year coaching competitively at Rush and has served as Academy Director and U9-U10 Nike coach. Aaron grew up in the Kansas City area playing competitive soccer which led to his interest in youth coaching. Aaron brings strong communication skills and is known for developing excellent technical skills in his players.

Patrick Phillips Pat is a 20+ year coaching veteran KC Legends and Kansas Rush, Kansas University Club program, and Head Coach of Avila University. Pat has a USSF “B” License and he excels at building technical skills and maintaining a fun environment. Pat grew up in the Kansas City area and played at Avila University and also owns a tile installation company.

Scott Siegel Was an All-State player at Rockhurst High School who went on to play at Rockhurst University and UMKC. For the past several years Scott has been an assistant high school coach at Rockhurst and head coach at St. Teresa’s Academy (2001-2010) where his teams won 4 State Championships in 5 years! He was named the Missouri State High School Soccer Coaches Association Coach of the year in 2002, 2003, 2005, and 2006. Scott was also awarded the National Federation of High School Regional Coach of the Year in 2003 and NSCAA Midwest Regional Coach of the Year in 2006. During this time Scott developed many players who went on to play college soccer for programs such as Notre Dame, Marquette, Missouri State, Drake, Nebraska, Purdue, and TCU.

Matt (Wally) Walberg Growing up Wally played goalie at SM South, JCCC and Ottawa University. He went on to become the Head Coach at SM North, SM East, and Ottawa University and spent 9-years at KCFC. In the summers Wally works at various soccer camps and also does goal keeper training. He has been honored as the Kansas Coach of the Year in 1997 for both the National Soccer Coaches Association and Kansas Coaches Association. In 1998 he was named Kansas Coach of the Year by the Interscholastic Coaches Association, and in 2001 the KCAC Coach of the Year. Wally has a USSF D license and a NSCAA Advanced National Diploma.

Melissa Papa An alumnus of Olathe Soccer Club, Melissa started playing soccer at 3! She was a 3-year starter, two-time All-State performer at Olathe East, and played club soccer for the Alliance. Melissa earned an academic and soccer scholarship to the University of Missouri-St. Louis where she started every game during her four year career, a team captain for three, and was selected to the Great Lakes Valley All-Conference team. She has mentored inner city kids in St. Louis, and coached youth soccer camps at the University of Wisconsin-Riverfalls, Challenger Sports, Olathe East, and ran the Chicago Marathon raising over $4500 for Leukemia research.

Nate Hunt Nathan Hunt is his second year with the Kansas Rush Organization. This year he is joining our club on a full time status. Nathan grew up playing in Topeka, but also played for the KC Legends soccer club while in high school. Nathan played collegiately for Barton County Community College and then finished his degree with a Bachelor's of Arts in Economics from the University of Kansas. Nathan has coached ODP in both Kansas and Nevada, while also coaching high school soccer in Topeka at schools such as Highland Park HS and Seaman HS. Nathan has been coaching since he was 18 years old and will bring a wealth of knowledge to the table, while also proving a valuable asset to the club. Nathan holds his USSF C License currently.

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