Coaching Staff

John Cunningham – Camp Director

For the 50th consecutive year, Coach Cunningham is conducting these camps with the main objective of developing youth soccer in the United States. He is the former Head Coach of the Bethany Men’s Soccer team. In Cunningham’s 33 years at the helm of Bethany, his teams won the 1994 National Championship, 1995 and 1997 ECAC Championships, 1996 Mid- Atlantic Championship, participated in 17 NCAA tournaments, 28 President’s Athletic Conference titles, and produced 51 All-Americans. While Head Coach, Bethany soccer was recognized for having one of the highest winning percentages of any college during the 1980s and 1990s, further testimony to Coach Cunningham’s philosophy… “Tradition of Excellence.”

Frankie Taal – returned to Bethany College (2019) after 16 seasons at North Carolina Wesleyan with the challenge to have Bethany Soccer return to PAC and NCAA championship tournaments. In the Fall of 2021 Frankie led the Bethany Bison to NCAA Regional play following the President’s Athletic Championship. Both were major milestones.

Frankie is an excellent coach with international experience and a flair that challenges players and coaches to be “students of soccer” and understand the importance of developing individual soccer skills and tactical understanding. Campers and visiting coaches quickly recognize Frankie’s love for soccer and his expectations while in camp.

Taal’s N.C. Wesleyan tenure as both an assistant and a head coach has seen the Bishops turn in a 214-93-26 overall record, including five regular season USA South Championships, three USA South Tournament Championships, five NCAA Tournament berths, and two NCAA Sweet 16 appearances. In 2017, Taal enjoyed his best season at the helm of the program with a 15-6 overall record won their second consecutive regular season league title, first conference tournament title and a bid to the NCAA tournament.

Jonathon Hoover – former Alfred State University Soccer Coach. A goalkeeper while in college, a collegiate coach and High School girls varsity coach. An excellent teacher and coach with a passion to have compares challenged while enjoying camp training.

Jay O’Donnell – Gardner Webb, Charlotte, NC, Assistant Coach. O’Donnell collected All-PAC First Team honors in his senior season and led the Bison with 13 points, five goals, and three assists. The senior midfielder accounted for three game winning goals.

Jay has experience coaching as a student assistant and recruiter for the Bethany College women’s soccer team, and coach for the Victory Express Soccer Club. Prior to Bethany, O’Donnell played at Radyr Comprehensive in Cardiff, Wales and earned All-Region along with multiple team honors.

Alyssa Finelli – enters her fourth season as the Bethany Bison coach and has provided leadership in building a competitive soccer program. The 2024 team is expecting to challenge for the PAC tournament.

Alyssa played for the Lehigh Valley Tempest in the Women’s Premier Soccer League. As a collegiate player, Finelli was a four-year letter winner and three-year starter for the NCAA Division I Lafayette College women’s soccer team. She made appearances in all but six games throughout her career as an attacker.

The Easton, Pa. native attended Easton Area High School, where she was a two-time Express-Times Player of the Year (2009, 2011) three-time conference all-star as Easton’s all-time leader in goals, assists and points and inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame the year after graduation.

Christopher Coridon – Former Bethany College Asst Coach and current Assistant coach at Tiffin University. His experience as a NCAA Division I soccer player (Robert Morris), a National Team participant (423 Haiti), Captain of USL2 Real Central, and NPSL Hershey (2019-2020) are outstanding. Likewise Christopher has valuable experience as a youth soccer coach (CBC Training), Jen Elite Training (Robbinsville, NJ) and Bethany Soccer Camps.

Chris Higgins – Wilson College, Varsity Mens Coach, Excellent goalkeeping coach with leadership skills. Chris enjoys coaching youth players as well as collegiate players.

Cody Kibler – Asst Women’s Coach at Bethany College. Dedicated to promoting soccer development at collegiate, high school and club.