Meet Our Coaches
We've compiled one of the most extensive goalkeeper coaching staffs in the Carolinas to provide the best youth goalkeeper training for all of our youth goalies at every age group.
BRandon Miller
Founder & Goalkeeping Director
Coach Miller is a retired professional goalkeeper, having spent 10 years playing in the United Soccer League and having several training stints with various Major League Soccer teams. He has extensive experience training goalkeepers at the youth, collegiate, and professional levels. Brandon started the Prime Focus Goalkeeping brand in 2016 and launched the Academy in 2022. Coach Brandon offers individual and group private trainings outside of the Academy sessions as well. Use the link below to see dates and times for training availability!
Goalkeeping Certifications:
United Soccer Coaches Level 1 & 2 GK Diploma
United Soccer Coaches Advanced National Diploma
United Soccer Coaches Goalkeeping Analysis Diploma
Austin Gunnels
Academy Coach
Coach Gunnels played and graduated from Limestone University in Physical Education in 2022 and Received a Masters degree in Athletic Leadership from Columbia College in 2023. As a player, Coach Gunnels had a successful career leading the NJCAA in saves nationally in 2018 and reaching the NCAA tournament twice while at Limestone. As a coach, Austin has experience at the NCAA and USL2 level. With his history in education and current coaching experience, he has worked with kids that range from youth academies to the Big East.
Jackson Acker
Academy Coach
Coach Jackson is currently a goalkeeper for the Johnson & Wales men's soccer team. He is a native of Wilmington, NC and has spent many years developing his skills within the Wilmington Hammerheads ECNL youth system. He has honed his talents as a goalkeeper coach after years of working with many high-level coaches across North Carolina as well as coaching in the Prime Focus Goalkeeping Academy. ​
Haley Faucette
Academy Coach
Coach Haley is a Burlington, NC native that spent her youth career playing for NCFC ECNL. After a stellar youth career, she took her talents to Wingate University where she has excelled and was recently named second team all-conference. Coach Haley also helps run the Wingate soccer summer camps, leading goalkeeping sessions for the program. ​​
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Goalkeeping Certifications:
United Soccer Coaches Level 1 GK Diploma
Daniel Locklear
Academy Coach
Coach Locklear is currently a goalkeeper for the Mars Hill University men's soccer team. He is a native of the Charlotte area, having spent many years within the youth system of the Barca Academy in the area. He excels on the field in both a playing and coaching role. Coach Locklear has honed his goalkeeping coaching development with the Prime Focus Goalkeeping Pre-Academy for the past several years and he is one of the top young coaches in the area.
Emily Protiva
Academy Coach
Coach Emily is currently a goalkeeper for the UNC Charlotte women's soccer team. She is a native of southern California, having spent many years playing in the Development Academy, ECNL, and GA. She excels on the field as both a top-notch goalkeeper and an experienced youth development coach. She has joined our pre-academy to help the next generation of young goalkeepers develop their skills to reach the next level of their game!
