Duluth Football Club is pleased to announce Joel Person as our new Head Coach for 2018. Being a year that will involve defending our position as division champions and competing in the US Open Cup, Duluth FC is excited to take on the new year with Joel. Person, who holds USSF “A” and National Youth Licenses, also brings with him a diverse range of player and coaching experience.
Born and raised in Fairbanks, Alaska, Person would create much of his soccer legacy in the South. He played collegiately at the University of Mobile Rams and also played for Premier Development League (PDL) sides Jackson Chargers, Michigan Bucks, and the Chicago Eagles. Person would be part of National Runners-Up sides in ’98 with the Chargers, ’99 with the Rams, and ’00 with the Bucks.
Person’s coaching career has included key roles at University of Mobile and Francis Marion University. During this time Person worked with both Men’s and Women’s teams and contributed to winning the 2002 Men’s NAIA National Championship with the University of Mobile and the 2008 Men’s Peach Belt Conference Championship with Francis Marion. Person served as Director of Coaching for Tuscaloosa United Soccer Club, along with serving as Head Coach for the Birmingham Hammers, where he was considered a vital part of the Hammers expansion into the NPSL.
Person was also the Elite Clubs National League Director (ECNL) for Birmingham United Soccer Association and Head Coach for Alabama FC Women’s Team from 2012 to 2015. He led an ECNL program that placed over 60 youth players into collegiate soccer. During his time there, Alabama FC teams were the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) Southeastern Conference runners-up in 2013 and conference champions in 2014.
The club is excited to be the new home for a talented and experienced coach like Joel Person, and hope that our new partnership will provide great moments for players, the club, and the supporters. Above all we know that Joel’s addition to the club will help us continue our ultimate goal of bringing the beautiful game to the beautiful city and continuing to be a part of this amazing community.
