MEET THE STAFF
Get to know the dedicated coaches who make up our team. Each Coach brings unique skills, determination, and passion to the game, representing the spirit of Upstate Elite Youth Sports.
Coach Ronald Goodwin
Coach Tasha Keller
Coach Tasha is one of our girls flag football and basketball coach with a passion for keeping athletes active, positive, and growing on and off the field. With over a year of coaching experience, she is dedicated to making a difference in kids’ lives and helping them become great in sports and in life. She also helps coordinate team banquets and events.
Organization Director / President Head Coach
Coach Hakeem Flowers
Vice President / Head Coach
Coach Preston Thomas
Head Coach / Athletic Director
Driven and accomplished Football Coach with a proven track record of helping athletes achieve their maximum level of athletic potential. Committed to fostering a positive team environment conducive to achieving success on the field. Adept in designing effective game plans, consisting of powerful defensive and offensive techniques.
Employment with Upstate Elite since 2023:
•Trained athletes and guided them to develop techniques.
•Organized department fundraising efforts and collaborated with staff. •Organized drills and implemented physical conditioning programs. •Evaluated game video to better understand strengths and weaknesses. •Helped lead two teams to championships wins, and one team to a national championship.
Favorite quote:
"Both desire and imagination are stored in the mind of the individual and when stretched, both have the potential to position a person for greatness."
Coach J.R.
Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator
I’ve been coaching overall for around 16 years. I’ve been with “The U” since 2017. My favorite part about coaching is that it’s always a different challenge. With kids you never know what you’re going to get. I love the life lasting bond created with players.
The motto has always been… Be coachable.. Be humble.. Give God the glory!
Coach Polo
Assistant offensive coordinator/special teams coordinator.
“Life is what you make it, work hard to achieve your goals and always put your trust in god.”
-Coach Polo
Coach Mak
Coach Mak brings passion, energy, and dedication to the Upstate Elite 6U & 8U flag and tackle football program. Committed to building strong fundamentals and a love for the game, Coach Mak believes in developing athletes through hard work, accountability, and teamwork. His mission is to help every player grow in confidence, character, and football knowledge while creating a fun and competitive environment.
Coach Rez
Coach Rez is an 8U–12U cheer coach and choreographer entering her second year of coaching. Passionate about developing young athletes, she focuses on building leadership, fostering sisterhood through teamwork, and instilling strong character and sportsmanship in every cheerleader. Coach Rez has been performing since the age of 2 and began her cheer career at Hughes Academy. After spending a few years focused on softball and the liberal arts, she returned to cheer and graduated in 2018. Throughout her cheer career, she participated in football and basketball sideline cheer, competitive cheer, Varsity UCA Cheer Camp, and hosted youth cheer camps. Her teams qualified for state every year, with two state championship appearances. Her favorite cheer motto is, “Tight is always right!” When she’s not coaching, you can usually find her working, enjoying crafts, or spending quality time with her family.
Coach Brian Thompson
Defensive Coordinator
With 25 years of coaching experience, I have had the privilege of working with both high school students and little league football teams. I believe that coaching extends beyond athletic skill; it is essential to instill good character, develop a positive attitude, and emphasize respect in all aspects of life. One of my favorite scriptures is Galatians 6:9: "And let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not lose heart."
Coach Bryant Boyd
Assistant Coach -War Daddy- “Essayons”
Coach Jalisa Thomas
Basketball/Cheer Coach/Flag Football Coach
Coach Jalisa is a Navy veteran serving 8 years in the military. She works as an Assistant Manager/ Certified Dental Assistant at a pediatric dental office and also serves as a youth ministry leader at her church. She was All State in Basketball.
Favorite quote: “Let your smile CHANGE the world, but don't let the WORLD change your SMILE." -Connor Franta
Coach Marcus Keller
Offensive Coordinator/Defensive coordinator/ Assistant Coach/ Basketball Coach.
Has Coached with the organization since 2017.
Coach Q Jefferson
Junior Squad Head Football Coach/ Basketball Coach
Brian Thompson
Brian Thompson
Coach Mike Bcheck
Assistant Head Coach for the Junior Squad/ Basketball Coach/ Flag Football Coach
Coach Karla Boyd
Coach K serves as the Cheer Director and Girls Flag Football Director for Upstate Elite Youth Sports. With seven years of cheer coaching experience and three years coaching both co-ed and girls flag football, she is passionate about developing confident athletes on and off the field. Before transitioning into coaching, Coach K spent more than 14 years training in martial arts and ballet, building a strong foundation in discipline, athleticism, and teamwork. She brings that same dedication to every practice, emphasizing character, leadership, and a positive team culture while helping athletes reach their full potential.
Coach JaVakeiu Duckett
Coach Vak is a juvenile therapist from Greenville, SC with over 10 years of experience working closely with children in various capacities. As a juvenile therapist, she is passionate about building confidence, encouraging youth, and using positive reinforcement to help young people grow both on and off the field. Dedicated to creating a supportive and uplifting environment, she strives to inspire every child to believe in themselves and reach their full potential. One of her favorite quotes shared with youth is, “What is popular is not always right, and what is right is not always popular.”
Coach Tasha Keller
Coach Tasha Keller