The Boys U17 soccer team is part of the Shattuck St. Mary’s Boys Soccer Signature Program and a member of the MLS NEXT elite youth development platform. The program provides nearly double the training hours, games, and showcase opportunities than most programs with the added benefit of being uniquely built into the demanding academic schedule of a college prep school.
Student-athletes train daily with competition on weekends, afternoons, or evenings and each participates in a year-round strength and conditioning program. Players have access to three full-sized soccer fields (one indoor synthetic turf, one outdoor synthetic turf, and one natural grass), a 10,500 sq. foot weight training and conditioning facility, video room for team and individual analysis, as well as an athletic training room providing advanced aquatic therapy and full-time athletic training staff.
SSM is one of the top high schools in the country to place players in Division I college soccer programs. It has placed an impressive 99 percent of its players in collegiate soccer programs and has contributed two players to the Men’s National Team, eleven players to professional teams, thirteen players to the Youth National Team, and two players to the Futsal National Team.
My time at Shattuck St. Mary's began in the spring of 2019. I bring to campus experience at both the college and youth level with previous coaching positions at Campbell University, UNC Wilmington, Eckerd College, North Carolina FC, and North Carolina ODP.
Player and team development has always been a key focal point in my own coaching philosophy. I believe in giving players ownership in the development process and allowing them the freedom to express themselves through their play. Instilling a strong sense of team and building a robust mentality both individually and collectively will only help to empower the player and push them to achieve beyond what they feel is possible. By placing a focus on technique and mentality, players will be equipped to grow and adapt as they progress through their soccer careers.
This team building and player development can be seen throughout my career. Following my first season at Campbell, the program began their ascent up the Big South Standings with Campbell finishing third in the Big South in 2017, winning the conference tournament in 2018, and culminating with a trip to the NCAA Tournament and national ranking; the first for the program since 2007.
During my time in Buies Creek, we had multiple players earn post season recognition including Academic All American, All South Region, All Big South Conference, Conference Tournament MVP, Conference Freshman of the Year, and Scholar Athlete of the Year along with having a few players take their game to the professional level.
Prior to Campbell I served as head coach at Eckerd College for four years. During my tenure, I was able to guide Eckerd to its first national ranking in eleven years and its highest conference regular season finish since 1992.
My teams claimed back-to-back 11-win seasons for the first time since 1975 and its highest single-season win total since 1978. I mentored multiple All Sunshine State Conference selections and NSCAA All Region honorees during this time as well as developed future professional players.
My coaching career began immediately after college with a five-year stint as an assistant at UNC Wilmington. While at UNCW, I helped the program improve from a three-win season during my first year into a nationally ranked program by my fourth year. During my last year there, the Seahawks were once again nationally ranked and advanced to the semifinals of the Colonial Athletic Association Championship for the first time in school history. During my time in Wilmington I helped mentored multiple All CAA Conference and All South Region players as well as four future professional players including Brad Knighton, currently of the New England Revolution.
I graduated with a bachelor's degree from UNC Asheville where I captained the Bulldogs, twice being named All-Big-South Conference. My wife Jennifer and I have two beautiful children, Claire and Ethan.
Both Long, Boys U17 Assistant Coach & Head of Recruiting
Email: both.long@s-sm.org
Phone: 507-333-1743
I joined Shattuck St. Mary's School as the Head of Recruitment and U15 Assistant in August of 2024, following a stint as the Associate Director of Athletics and Head Boys’ Soccer Coach at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire. Prior to Brewster, I spent 10 years coaching and teaching at various prep schools in New England, Texas, and Illinois. This educator’s journey, by way of soccer coaching, has taught me the importance of holistic youth development on and off the field.
I entered the coaching profession as an 18-year-old, mostly because I wanted to give back to soccer’s global community, a community that has given me so much over the years. Within this dynamic and constantly evolving world of soccer, I aspire to leverage my experiences to help develop talented and compassionate human beings. Soccer, and SSM’s core values have the incredible power to teach lifelong lessons through competition and collaboration.
It has become apparent to me, and integral to my practice, that I learn alongside the players I coach. A graduate of Boston College in 2013, I have since earned my USSF “C” License in 2019 and my UEFA "B" License in 2023. Each educational milestone has certainly helped me along my coaching journey, and each day I look forward to learning from - and being challenged by - the vibrant community at SSM.
