Meet Our Coaches
Benicia Arsenal FC
Johnnie Purvis
Director of Coaching
As an Englishman who supports Liverpool F.C. I am a very driven and passionate leader who wants what is best for Benicia's athletes on and off the field. I worked here in 2021 for 3 months before being offered the DOC position and the opportunity to return here was too good to turn down! Benicia is a truly special community and with our new game model we will have a style of play that makes us even more competitive while focusing heavily on developing the individual.
Coaching qualifications:
Bachelor's Degree in Performance Soccer Coaching
UEFA B Licence
UEFA C Licence
FA Level 2
FA Level 1
FA License Coach Member
USYF Futsal Level 1
USYF Goalkeeping Level 1
Playing history:
I have been lucky to of played at all levels of English club soccer aged 5 to 16. This includes Premier Club, regional and national teams. Aged 16 I became a senior playing in the English Northern Premier League meanwhile I played college for Newcastle University F.C. men's team. I still enjoy playing now and often play local tournaments in the Bay Area.
Hobbies:
Watching, playing, coaching, studying and talking about soccer especially Liverpool F.C!
Family time
Travel
Sport
Music and comedy events
Role Models:
Tyson Fury (Heavyweight boxing champion of the world who has overcame mental health issues to return to boxing and win back his belts)
Steven Gerrard (former Liverpool player and now Aston Villa Coach)
Coach James
Head Coach
I am a very driven person who wants what's best for our players at Benicia on and off the field as I feel within soccer there is a chance to improve as a person and as a player. I have previously worked in the UK as a soccer school coach, I have also done some work in Norway, with a team that partnered with the soccer school I worked at, Canada, for three months mainly in the British Columbia Territory, and Australia where I worked for 10 months as a soccer coach at youth level. I was invited to work in Benicia by Johnnie and I believe that Benicia as a whole is a great place to be working in and develop myself as a coach but most of all develop these young athletes.
Coaching qualifications:
Bachelor's Degree in Sports and Exercise Science
FA Level 2
FA Level 1
FA License Coach Member
FA Futsal Level 1
Currently Doing my Masters in Sports Leadership
Playing history:
I have been fortunate to have played at different levels of English club soccer aged 5 to 26. This includes playing for my local 11 aside teams on Saturdays and Sundays as well as playing for my high school and college teams also playing other formats of the game such as futsal and 5/6 aside. I still enjoy playing now when I get the chance to.
Hobbies:
Watching, playing, coaching, studying and talking about soccer especially Manchester United F.C!
Travel
Sport
TV & Movies especially Comic Book related
Role Models:
Cristiano Ronaldo (Growing up watching him and I still get to see him play now which is incredible)
Sir Alex Furguson (One of the best if not the best of all time and a great man manager)
My College Tutors (If it wasn't for them I wouldn't be where I am today)
Coach Juan
Coach
Hi Coach Juan Here, I would love to push everyone to be a more phenomenal version of themselves. I have played soccer in America and professionally in Thailand which has provided me with a completely different cultural exchange. When I heard of Benicia Arsenal's new leadership and opportunities I just had to get involved!
Coaching qualifications:
USSF C License USSF 11v11 Coaching License USSF 9v9 Coaching License USSF 7v7 Coaching License USSF 4v4 Coaching License
Playing history:
AFC San Francisco hearts / Siam Fc ( T3 Thai League ) Phuket City Fc (T3 Thai League ) Nontaburi City Fc (T4 Thai League)
Hobbies:
Gym, Individual Training, Going to art galleries, Wakeboarding
Role Models:
Ronaldinho / Jordan Peterson
Coach Russell
Coach
Professional Goalkeeper Coach and Benicia High Class of 99’. Benicia resident since 1989. I have helped with some training over the years in soccer and spent 1 year with an AAU basketball team assisting.
Playing history:
I played Goalkeeper for Benicia high school and then attended DVSC where we joined with CCC to form a team and I played there in college. Following that, our head coach brought me over to train with the San Francisco Bay seals in 2000.
Hobbies:
Playing soccer, Basketball, Travel, Music
Role Models:
Any pro athlete out there giving back to their community like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo , Serena Williams , Neymar jr. These are very popular names in sports with very big impacts on their communities.
Coach Patrick
Coach
I grew up playing soccer as a winger in Nigeria. I am a soccer fanatic and have watched every world cup game from Spain 1982 to now! As a Coach, my main focus is ball control, dribbling, body development and soccer IQ. But first, I believe a player must first develop self-confidence, emotional and mental strength to create a positive play environment. I enforce a consistent playing philosophy across all areas of development while making sure we strive for the highest playing standards possible. With my background in sports analytics, college soccer and professional soccer. I can analyze current and historical data, players development growth rate by using latest technologies and trend in communication and player development.
Playing history:
De-Anza College Cupertino1997/1998
Santa Clara Off the Wall Soccer
Oakland Mickey Soccer
Bay Area West Africans A
Coaching qualifications:
USSF:E/D
Hobbies:
Watching English Soccer, Chess and Mathematics
Coach Rodrigo
Coach
Building up today’s young athletes is my mission. I believe in the power of education, respect, courage, dedication, commitment and hard work. I use the beautiful game to teach and lead our youth to become role models in their communities. I am devoted to providing a joyous sporting experience, with the goal that they evolve to be better athletes each day.
Playing history:
I have been playing soccer since age 6 starting at the recreational levels working my way onto Select and becoming Captain of my High School team in Daly City, CA. I also played at Diablo Valley College in Concord, CA. To this day I continue to play, street soccer 5 aside is my top choice.
Coaching qualifications:
28 years’ experience coaching youth and young adults
4v4, 7v7, 9v9, 11v11 USSF Coaching License
Currently Enrolled in the “USSF National D” Coaching License course
Benicia Arsenal FC “Fall Comp” and Recreational Coordinator
USSF Grade 8 Referee (you have to know the rules of the game)
Owner of a Sporting Club, training athletes in the 4 major sports- Soccer, Football, Basketball and Baseball
Hobbies:
Spending time with my wife, two boys and my dog Spartan. I love listening and dancing to all types of music from hip hop to salsa to house! Traveling to different metropolitan areas (Chicago is one of my favorites)
Role Models:
My Sicilian Stepfather who raised me (I miss him! Forza Italia!!!)
Coach John Wooden- Legendary UCLA men’s basketball coach (“young people need models, not critics”)
Roberto Baggio- Legendary Italian National soccer player (“il maestro”)
