Academy Staff

Hometown: London, England

James Meara is in his 6^th season with the Riverhounds as the Academy Director of RDA East. Prior to coaching, James played professionally at Watford Football Club from 1990-94 and Doncaster Rovers Football Club from 1994-96. In his youth he played for the Watford Football Club. 

Coaching License: USSF B License

Awards and Recognition: FA Youth Cup Winner 1989, Watford FC 2-1 Man City

James’ favorite part of coaching for the Riverhounds Academy is being able to watch the kids develop and the use of first-class facilities. James’ coaches to give back from the experiences of his own time in the game. 

Hometown: Selinsgrove, PA

Rick Hackenberg has been with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds Development Academy for 4 years as the Program Director of the Grassroots and Technical Training Programs and coaching the 2009 and 2012 teams. Prior to being with the Riverhounds, Rick was the Regional Director Coerver United, the Camp Director and Head Coach of Staff at Coerver Camps, Former Co-President, and Founder of SCS United, Former Club Director at PA Crew Academy, Founder of Runfast Jumphigh Soccer LLC. 

Coaching License/Certifications: USSF National Youth Coaching License; USSF National D; NSCAA Academy Diploma; Ohio Youth Soccer CEP License; Coerver Coaching Youth Diploma 1 & 2; 3-Dimensional Coaching; Certified Master Personal Trainer; Certified Sports Psychology Coach; Nationally Certified Speed, Agility, and Quickness Coach; Certified Biomechanics Specialist; Certified Core Conditioning Specialist; Certified Functional Training Specialist; Certified Group Program Instructor. 

Rick attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania playing soccer all 4 years and tennis for 1 year. He also spent 3 years with CPSL/USISL Columbus United SC. 

Rick’s favorite part of coaching with the Riverhounds Academy is the camaraderie among all the coaches. After 30 years coaching soccer, Rick can confidently say that the RDA staff have some of the best coaches/trainers that he has ever worked with. Rick’s favorite memory from all of his years of coaching was getting a call from the Columbus Crew of the US Development Academy inquiring about 2 of the players he was coaching at the time, both went on to play Division I soccer. He finds it rewarding being able to watch players he previously coached play in college. 

Rick enjoys coaching the youngest groups of kids and watching them fall in love with the game in the same way that he did. He especially enjoys watching the players develop over time. 

Outside of coaching, Rick works in the software industry and enjoys spending time with his family. 

Rick lives with his wife of 27 years, Jill, and 2 children Ethan, a junior at Virginia Tech, and Cecelia, a freshman at THE Ohio State University. 

Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA

Amy Wisniowski is in her 10th year with the Riverhounds Academy as a speed and strength coach, now in the role of the Assistant Director of Speed and Strength. Prior to coaching, Amy played high school soccer at Chartiers Valley before committing to play at LaRoche University. 

Amy’s favorite part of coaching in the Riverhounds Academy is watching the evolution of the players within the academy system and beyond. She finds it humbling that she can play a role in the players’ athletic growth. 

Growing up playing multiple sports, Amy didn’t have a female coach to look up to as a young girl in athletics. She states, “coaching, specifically on the speed and strength side, allows our athletes to have a different perspective of what a coach can be.” 

Outside of coaching, Amy enjoys being a mom and is devoted to all thing’s health and wellness. 

Hometown: Scotland

Kevin Kerr has been with the Riverhounds Academy for over 10 years as a coach for the 2006 and 2008 ECNL Boys and as the Director of Fundamentals. Before starting his coaching career, Kevin played professionally for 12 years at Arminia Bielefeld, AGOVV Apeldoorn, SC Wiedenbrück and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. 

Awards and Recognitions: Scotland u21 National Team, Captain for the Riverhounds for several years

Kevin’s favorite part about coaching for the Riverhounds Academy is that it is a great platform for kids to develop. His favorite memory while coaching was reaching the ECNL National Event. Kevin loves to coach to help young athletes reach their maximum potential. 

Outside of coaching, Kevin enjoys playing a game of golf. 

Hometown: Washington, PA

Max Dragich is in his 3^rd year coaching with the Riverhounds Academy, coaching the 2011 and 2012 boys’ teams. Max played with the Riverhounds Academy and was the first graduating class of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in 2016. 

Max’s favorite part of coaching in the Riverhounds Academy is seeing the development of the players after all the hard work the coaches and players have put in. His favorite memory as a coach was making it to the final with the 2011 boys first ever tournament. Max coaches to have a positive impact on someone’s playing experience. 

Outside of coaching, Max enjoys playing tennis and supporting his favorite soccer team, Chelsea FC. 

Hometown: South Park, PA

Ryann Bradley has been with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds Academy for 5 years coaching the 2012 RDA East boys’ team. Ryann played at Bethany College, and professionally played at the West Virginia Chaos and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. 

Ryann’s favorite part of coaching in the Riverhounds Academy is being able to watch the development of players from the Grassroots to the Academy Teams. His favorite memory of being a coach happens every time he steps on the field. Ryann’s goal of being a coach is to ensure that the game continues to progress in his hometown.

Outside of coaching, Ryann enjoys travelling, golfing, painting, cooking, and listening to records. He currently resides in New Stanton, PA with his wife Krista. 

Hometown: Connellsville, PA

Alexander Guie is in his 9^th year with the Riverhounds as a goalkeeper coach for the Grassroots program and coaching the 2014 East boys, while also assisting with multiple other East teams. In his youth, Alexander played for Century United, Northern Steel, AFFC, Penns Forest, and Beadling. In college, he played at the University of Pittsburgh Greensburg and PA West ODP 95. 

In addition to Alexander’s 8 years with the Riverhounds, he also coached the Boys Connellsville High School team for 4 years, at Penns Forest for 1 year, and assistant coached the Girls Connellsville High School team for 2 years. 

Coaching Licenses: D License, National Y License, and NSCAA Goalkeeper Certificate level 1 and 2. Currently working on a C License

Awards and Recognitions: 2x WPIAL 4A All-Section player, 4x All-Fayette County player, #2 all time in goals against average at Pitt Greensburg. 2^nd Winningest Coach in Connellsville Boys Soccer. 

Alexander’s favorite part of coaching with the Riverhounds Academy is being able to see the players improve and the camaraderie amongst the coaches. His favorite coaching memory is making the playoffs multiple times with his various high school teams. He also enjoyed being a part of the initial RDA East staff. Alexander coaches because of his love of the game. He also wants to give back like the great coaches he had when he played. 

Outside of coaching, Alexander enjoys watching movies, playing FIFA and watching professional wrestling. Alexander resides in his hometown of Connellsville, PA with his beagle, Cooper. 

Hometown: Scottdale, PA

Dennis Marzano has been with the Riverhounds Academy for 4 years as the Academy Staff Coach and the assistant coach to the 2006 East girls. Dennis played for Cedarville University. Before coaching with the Riverhounds Academy, Dennis spent 7 years as the Technical Director at the Foothills Soccer Club Player Academy and 6 years with the PA West Olympic Development Program. 

Coaching License: USSF ‘B’ Coaching License, USSF National Youth Coaching License

Awards and Recognitions: 1997 Alleghany Chapter of Referee’s Coach of the Year, 1999 Section 1 AAA Coach of the Year, 2011 ODP Region 1 Finalist, 2012 ODP Region 1 Champions, 2022 Blue Gray Cup Champions, 2022 Western NY/Western PA State Cup Champions

Dennis’ favorite part of coaching with at the Riverhounds Academy is working with and learning from other RDA staff and watching the players develop in a fun, yet challenging, environment. Dennis’s favorite memory being a coach is watching his team celebrate after winning the US Youth Soccer ODP Region 1 Championship. He continues to coach because he loves being around the game of soccer and watching young people develop as players and individuals.

Outside of coaching, Dennis enjoys traveling with his family, mountain biking and snowboarding. Dennis currently resides in Uniontown with his wife, Tammy, and 2 children Brenden and Brianna. 

Hometown: North Huntingdon, PA

Brad Smith is the RDA East Director of Goalkeeping and has been with the RDA East for several years. Before starting his career in coaching, Brad played for various youth soccer clubs, Norwin High School, and Grove City College. 

Awards and Recognitions: Grove City College Men’s Soccer Career Shutouts records, Career games as a goalkeeper records, and career minutes played as a goalkeeper record

Brad coaches to give back to the game that he’s loved his whole life. His favorite part of coaching within the RDA is being able to watch the goalkeepers develop from year to year within the RDA program. Brad’s favorite memory as a coach was being a part of the formation of the teams of the RDA East. 

In his spare time, Brad enjoys skiing and supporting his favorite soccer team, Manchester United. 

Hometown: Connellsville, PA

Zachary Traynor has been with the Riverhounds Academy for 2 years coaching the East 2013 boys and girls. He also has spent 2 years with Connellsville High School soccer. Zachary played club soccer with the Riverhounds Academy/PDL U-23 and played college at the University of Mount Union. 

Zachary’s favorite part of coaching in the Riverhounds Academy is the family and support system built among the staff, parents, and players that differentiate the Academy from any other club. Zachary’s favorite memory being a coach was when both the 2013 boys and 2013 girls made the finals in the 2022 Copa Classic. Zachary coaches because he loves the sport and loves helping young athletes become better soccer plays and better versions of themselves. 

Outside of coaching, Zachary enjoys teaching history and supporting his favorite soccer team, Liverpool. 

Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA

Kris Richardson is in 5^th year with the Riverhounds for the 2009, 2011, 2012 girls’ teams. Before Kris started coaching, he played at University of Pittsburgh Greensburg. 

Awards and Recognitions: Inducted into the College Hall of Fame

Kris’s favorite part about coaching in the Riverhounds Academy is being able to see the determination in the kids to want to continuously improve. His favorite memory as a coach was seeing the overall passion of the players to continue their development. Kris coaches to give back to the game that he grew up playing and loving. 

Kris currently lives in North Huntington with his wife and 4 children. 

Hometown: Norvelt, PA

Scott Bash has been coaching at the youth level for 25+ years, currently coaching the 2006, 2011, 2013 East girls. Scott has been playing soccer since he was 5 years old. 

Scott’s favorite part of being a part of the Riverhounds Academy is being able to frequently interact with young athletes. Scott finds coaching an enjoyable experience to spend time with young athletes who have a passion for soccer. His favorite memory as a coach was winning the Jefferson Cup. 

Outside of coaching, Scott enjoys horses, horses, and more horses…