PROFESSIONAL STAFF
Taylor Thames
Taylor Thames is the Founder/Director of NEXT Goalkeeping Academy. He is currently the Head Coach at La Salle University in Philadelphia, PA. Formerly Assistant Coach & Goalkeeper Coach at Army West Point. He previously held similar roles at the University of Cincinnati, Stony Brook and Mount St. Mary's University. Taylor has worked with goalkeepers of all ages and is passionate about helping players reach the #NEXT level.
Thames holds a USSF Senior A License as well as a NSCAA Goalkeeping Diploma.
RICH KESSLER
Rich Kessler begins his first season as an assistant coach at La Salle in 2023.
Kessler spent the last two seasons as an assistant at his alma mater, Alvernia University, helping the Wolves to a pair of ECAC Tournament berths. Over the last two seasons with Kessler, Alvernia won 25 matches and advanced to the semifinals of the 2022 ECAC Postseason Tournament.
A goalkeeper for Alvernia from 2005-08, Kessler has also served as the Director of Goalkeeping at FC Delco and held assistant coaching positions at Penn State Berks and Penn State Abington.