LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Southern College head coach Gerry Lucey has finalized his coaching staff for the 2023 fall season.
Lucey has added Grace Linton, Jamie McGuinness, and Ricky Davis as assistant coaches for the 2023 season.
"Overall, I'm over the moon with the quality of people and coaches that we have at Florida Southern," said Lucey on the new coaching staff. "Each one of them adds something different and I believe we will complement each other in helping to grow the program."
Linton moved to Lakeland after having a stellar season in the Premier Arena Soccer League for the ICT Aztecs. In their first year as a program, the team went 5-2-1 and received a bid to the National tournament in Louisville, Kentucky where they finished in the top 4. Linton was named to the Premier Arena Soccer League All-Nationals Third Team as a defender. She was invited to the American Association of Soccer 567 ID camp representing the USA Women's indoor team. Linton also played two years in the United Women's Soccer League for FC Wichita. A captain for her team, she started and played every minute of the 14 games she played in as a center back.
Prior to her time in professional soccer, Linton spent two years as a graduate assistant coach with the Newman Women's Soccer program. While with the Jets, Linton assisted with all facets of the Jet program, including game and practice preparation and team and individual training. She joined the soccer coaching staff after playing two seasons with Emporia State and her final two seasons at Newman University.
"We are delighted to add Grace Linton to our staff," said Lucey. "From the first interview, she impressed with her desire to continue her growth as a young coach. To uproot from her home in Kansas and travel down to Lakeland on short notice to begin work shows the dedication she will bring to the position and add to the positive experience for the team. She also has a strong playing background too that the girls can tap into."
McGuinness brings 11 years of professional soccer experience from 2006-2016 in both the United States and the United Kingdom. Most recently, he has served as the Director of Sports Management for 1866 Americas LLC in Tampa to develop and deliver effective training programs across all levels of competition. As the director, he has managed teams such as the Florida Tropics and the US Virgin Islands Women's National Team and previously worked with several athletes in the US Soccer Development Academy, boxing champions, and NFL players.
As a professional soccer player, McGuinness started his career with Luton Town FC after he was offered a three-year contract. He then made 58 appearances with Rushden & Diamonds FC helping the English football club to the playoffs. McGuinness finished his professional career with the USL Championship program playing for VSI Tampa Flames, Tampa Bay Rowdies, Colorado Springs Switchbacks Soccer Club, and the IMG Academy from 2010-2016.
On the addition of McGuinness, Lucey said: "Jamie brings a wealth of experience to our program from both his playing and coaching background. A former professional player, Jamie will primarily help with the defensive players but will be involved in all aspects on the field. He has most recently been highly successful at the club level winning the Florida Summer League and has helped develop some wonderful local talent. Many of his players have gone on to play at Power 5 at high D1 levels. He has a great demeanor which I believe the team will enjoy. I'm excited to work with him at FSC."
Davis is the last addition to the coaching staff and has over 25 years coaching experience at the College High School-and youth level. Davis has trained several goalkeeper's that have gone on to play in Europe, Israel and Egypt. As well as for their national teams representing the countries of Jamaica, Panama, Mexico and Puerto Rico a US territory. Davis is a West Florida Flames Goalkeeper staff coach and also a Staff Coach for RTG Goalkeeping Academy. He is the President of Premier Goalkeeper Training.
Davis is a former product of West Florida Flames and Brandon FC 1st Division Suncoast League. He is a Florida native living his whole life in the Tampa Area Region. Davis also rejoins Coach Gerry Lucey's staff a second time, where they had previously had tremendous success at the college level.
"I've had the pleasure of working alongside Ricky Davis for a few years at Tampa," said Lucey. "Ricky is a very knowledgeable coach and specializes in the goalkeeping department. He is very insightful in the details required for keepers to reach their potential. He has trained a number of keepers who have gone onto the professional level. In addition to what he brings on the field he is a character that I'm sure will add a lot of value to the staff and make all of us better."
