Muhamed Fazlagic
Founder, General Manager, and Director of Coaching
Muhamed Fazlagic founded United 1996 FC in summer of 1996. Over the years he developed one of the best coaching staffs in Region II. He is the coach with vast coaching experience. In 2010 he was appointed Technical Director and Head Coach for USL-Premier Development League franchise, River City Rovers. Muhamed coached high school soccer for 6 years (Fern Creek, Walden and Eastern High School). He also was associate head coach at Bellarmine University for two years and Hanover College for three years. For four years Muhamed was Region II ODP staff member. He holds USSF A License, National Youth License, NSCAA Advanced National Diploma and has completed first part of UEFA A License in Wales, UK. As a club coach Muhamed lead 80’ boys to Region II semifinal and 87, 89 and 96 boys to the multiple State Championships. Muhamed holds Master Degree in Public Administration from Kentucky State University. Currently Muhamed is pursuing his Doctoral Degree in Sociology at University of Louisville.
Braco Jusufovic
Assistant Director of Coaching – Boys Teams
Sulejman-Braco Jusufovic is one of the longest serving members of the United 1996 FC coaching staff. In his youth, he played for F.C. Neretva in his hometown Mostar, Bosnia. Braco is a very dedicated and a very successful soccer coach. He led the ’89 boys to the Kentucky State Championship and ’91 boys to back-to-back Kentucky State Championships and the Region II semi-finals. Braco currently holds a USSF B License.
Jan Franson
Assistant Director of Coaching – Girls Teams
Jan Franson has been coaching with United 1996 FC since 1998 and currently holds USSF C License amd USYSA National Youth License. He also works with Kentucky Olympic Development Program. Born in Norway, he grew up playing the sport and advanced to play for his regional team from the ages 13-16. Since coming to United 1996 FC, he has head coached and assisted in coaching both boys and girls ranging in age from U8-U20.
Thabane Sutu
Goalkeeper Coach, Head Coach
Thabane Sutu is former goalkeeper on captain of Lesotho National Team. He also played for multiple African Champion Al_-Ahly, Cairo, Egypt. Thabane joined United in the summer of 2001. At the beginning Thabane served as the Goalkeeping Director and worked with younger age groups. Currently Thabane works as a head coach for 95 and 93 boys. In 2009, his 95 team won the state championship. In 2006 Thabane was recipient of award; Coach of the Year in State of Kentucky. Thabane is currently pursuing degree in Exercise Physiology and University of Louisville. He holds his USSF B coaching license and his USSF National Youth License.
Craig Jones
Technical Director, Head Coach
Craig Jones joined United 1996 FC in the spring of 2004. Craig adds a wealth of playing and coaching experience to the program. He played his intercollegiate soccer at Western Washington State University where he was the leading scorer his junior and senior season. He was an All West Coast Conference selection his senior year. Craig is also holds the record as coach with the most wins in Hanover College history where he has served as a head coach since 2002. Craig was selected Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 2006. He led the ’92 boys to the Kentucky State Championship in 2005 and where they have since been a Kentucky State Finalist for the two consecutive years. Craig holds USSF A License and Masters Degree in Sports Administration and Management from University of Louisville.
Tom Davis
Junior Academy, Assistant Director of Coaching – Boys Teams
Tom Davis has been on the coaching staff at United 1996FC since the fall of 2005. He brings many years of experience. His experience includes playing at Morehead State University(2 time all-conference player), playing for one of the Midwest regions original innovators of the game, Dr. Mohamed Sabie from 1978 to 1980, and years of coaching experience. He has coached select soccer since 1996 (youth soccer since 1984). He holds a USSF “C” License, a USSF National Youth License, and a NCSAA Advanced Regional License .
Jason Meurer
Junior Academy, Assistant Director of Coaching – Girls Teams
Jason Meurer joined United 1996 in the fall of 1999. Jason grew up in the Louisville area playing youth soccer for Louisville Soccer Club. He continued his career at the University of Louisville, where he garnered the Most Valuable Offensive Player his senior year. After college, Jason continued playing for 3 seasons in the USISL for the Louisville Thoroughbreds and Chattanooga Express. While at United, Jason has won 2 KY State Cups; one with the 86 boys in 2000, and the other with the 90 boys in 2005. Currently Jason coaches the 93 girls team. Jason holds a USSF “C” License and a Bachelor of Science in both Psychology and Mechanical Engineering.
B.J. Andriot
Head Coach
B.J. Andriot grew up playing soccer and went on to play division 1 for the University of Louisville where he attained his Bachelor of Arts degree. He holds his USSF B coaching license and his National Youth License. He has been coaching for United 1996 FC since 2002 were he is currently coaching the 95 girls and 2000 boys. B.J. has coached ODP for 5 years. He was head coach at Shelby Co. High School boys in 2008 and 2009
Joseph Basse
Head Coach
Joseph Basse joined the United coaching staff in 2005. Very quickly Joseph established himself as a one of the most respectable coaches in the club. Prior to joining United 1996 FC Joseph coached in his native Senegal at the professional level. He coached Niayes FC and E.S.O. FC. Both of these teams were competing in Senegal’s 1st Division which is the country’s highest level of competition. The biggest success Joseph had was with Camberene S.A., the club that he led to promotion from Division II to the Division I. Later, Joseph went to France to earn his French soccer coach certificate. He also completed training period FIFA Education Program Futuro II. In the USA Joseph has earned his USSF C License in 2009. Currently he is in charge of the ’99 boys age group and is head coach for United 1996 FC ’94 boys. Joseph holds a degree in Physical Education from University of Dakar, Senegal.
Alex Gardner
Academy Coach
United is proud to include Alex Gardner as Academy Boys Coach and as Assistant Coach to 95 Boys age group. Alex is former United player, having played with the ’88 team for over 10 years. One of the best players in United 1996 FC history, Alex is a graduate of Trinity High School and Colgate University in Hamilton NY, a NCAA Division I school, where he played while on a soccer scholarship.
United 1996 FC – 2011/2012 Head Coaches
Boys Program
’94 International – Joseph Basse
’94 Premier – Mehdi Ghayoumi
’95 International – Craig Jones
’96 International – Thabane Sutu
’96 Premier – Kenan Ahmetagic
’96 Classic – Alex Gardner
’97 International – Braco Jusufovic
’97 Premier – Adam Muphy
’98 International – Rizah Sejdic
’98 Premier – Joseph Basse
’99 International – Craig Jones & Thabane Sutu
’99 Premier – Andrew Ilnick
’00 Gold – Braco Jusufovic
’00 Navy – Walter Mata
’01 Gold – Garrett Buck
’01 Navy – Alex Gardner
Academy – Tom Davis & Cameroon Bayse
Girls Program
’95 International – Jan Franson
’96 International – Rony Canada
’96 Premier – Bryan Dorado
’97 International – Brian Sekelsky
’98 International – Brian Sekelsky
’99 International – B.J. Andriot
’00 International – Jason Meurer
’00 Premier – Jan Franson
’01 – Andy Cooper, Todd Kurtz
’02 – Adam Singleton
Junior Academy – Adam Singleton, Jim Greiner
