COACH TERRANCE GUNNELLS PROMOTED TO DIRECTOR OF COACHING

Nov 2, 2025

🖤💙 Building the Future, One Player at a Time ⚽️

At Inter Academy Rockers, we believe that great coaches build great players—and great people. Today, we are proud to announce the promotion of Coach Terrance Gunnells to Director of Coaching – Younger Boys, a well-deserved recognition for one of the key leaders shaping our Club’s player development pathway.

A Lifelong Passion for the Beautiful Game

For Coach Terrance, soccer has always been more than a game—it’s been a lifelong calling. His journey began at just four years old in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where his passion for the sport quickly became evident. After moving to Virginia, his dedication continued as he competed in club soccer, eventually becoming a four-time letterman and earning All-Conference and All-State honors while leading his high school team to the 1991 Virginia State Championship.

After an outstanding youth and high school career, Terrance took his talents to the collegiate level, first playing at Southern Methodist University (SMU) and later at Oklahoma Christian University, gaining valuable experience that would set the foundation for his future in the game.

From the Field to the Sidelines: A Coaching Career of Impact

Following his collegiate career, Coach Terrance transitioned into the professional ranks, spending over five years competing in the United Soccer Leagues (USL) for the Colorado Springs Blizzard and in the EISL with the Tallahassee Scorpions.

But even as a player, he always had the heart of a teacher—and it wasn’t long before he moved into coaching. His first major step came as part of the Colorado College coaching staff, where his leadership and deep tactical understanding began to flourish.

Between 2008 and 2017, Terrance became a cornerstone of the Colorado soccer community. He served as Assistant Coach at Colorado College, while also working with the Colorado Rapids Youth Academy, where he coached multiple club teams, contributed to the Developmental Academy, and earned his USSF National “A” License—a testament to his elite level of coaching expertise.

His success at the Rapids extended to leadership roles, including overseeing the Center for Excellence and developing coach education programs for the recreational pathway. Terrance’s impact on the youth side was recognized when he was named Colorado Competitive Boys Coach of the Year in 2016.

Continuing the Journey in California

After relocating to California to start his family, Coach Terrance continued to make his mark on the soccer landscape. He joined Newport Harbor High School, Newport Mesa Strikers, and SoCal Elite, continuing to develop players both technically and mentally while fostering positive team cultures.

Joining Inter Academy Rockers: A New Chapter of Excellence

In Fall 2024, when the Inter Academy Rockers project officially launched, Coach Terrance was among the first to join our coaching family. His presence brought instant structure, professionalism, and care to our young players’ development journey.

During Spring and Fall 2025, he led our Boys 2013 team, where his ability to nurture talent and build team chemistry stood out across the entire Club. Under his guidance, players developed remarkable confidence, tactical awareness, and technical skill—all while maintaining a genuine love for the game.

Recognizing his ability to develop both players and programs, Coach Terrance took on the additional role of Director of Coaching – Recreational in Summer 2025. Since then, he has been the creative force behind some of our most successful initiatives, including:

🌟 PreClub Program – bridging the gap between recreational and competitive soccer.
❄️ Winter League – providing year-round opportunities for players to stay active and improve.
⚽️ Fall Clinic & Center for Excellence – developing the technical and mental sides of the game through structured, age-appropriate training.

Through these programs, Terrance has helped graduate dozens of players from our recreational pathway into our competitive academy teams—building the foundation of what Inter Academy Rockers stands for: a complete player pathway inspired by Inter Milan’s global methodology.

A Vision for the Future

As Director of Coaching – Younger Boys, Coach Terrance will now oversee all teams in our 7v7 and 9v9 divisions, ensuring our youngest talents receive the guidance, mentorship, and developmental structure they need to thrive. His goal is clear: to build confident, intelligent, and creative players who love the game—and to shape a culture where learning and enjoyment go hand in hand.

Coach Terrance embodies the Inter Academy Rockers philosophy: "Develop the person, and the player will follow." His leadership continues to inspire not only our players but also our entire coaching community.