PROGRAM DIRECTOR, HEAD COACH- JAMES ROBERTS

Coach Roberts enters his 16th year at Luella High School and his 8th year as the Head Coach for the Varsity Teams.  He is married to Luella's Head Volleyball Coach, Karie Jarrett-Roberts and they have one son, Andrew, who was a 2 sport Varsity Athlete (football and soccer) and a 2013 graduate of Luella High School. Andrew is a 2017 Georgia Southern University graduate where he played soccer. He is the Head Kit Man (head equipment manager) for Austin FC of Major League Soccer.  Andrew recently got married, so Coach's family has expanded, and he welcomed his daughter-in-law, Haley Roberts.  

Coach and Mrs. Roberts are both graduates of Georgia Southern University. Coach Roberts earned a M.Ed and Ed.S and Mrs. Roberts earned an M.Ed. They both return to Statesboro, GA when they can. 

Coach Roberts is originally from Peabody, MA and is a HUGE Boston sports fan.  Since moving to Georgia more than 20 years ago, he has become a big Atlanta Braves fan and attends games regularly.  

Coach Roberts spent 14 years in the US Navy as a Combat Corpsman (medic) and served with the US Marine Corps. 

Coach also has 2 dogs named Mookie and Yadi.

Coach Roberts believes that you train how you play and you play how you train...so TRAIN HARD.  

                                 Boston, MA                                                  Family                                        Andrew                                                

        Mookie (Top) & Yadi

Favorite Clubs:

MLS: Austin FC

Premier League: Liverpool

FIFA: US National Teams

Members of the following organizations: US Soccer - United Soccer Coaches- GACA

Contact Coach Roberts at:  james.roberts@henry.k12.ga.us

Coach Keisha Pittman Asst. Coach

Keisha Pittman is a native of the state of Texas with strong core values in athletics, wellness, nutritional needs, strengthening and conditioning techniques. She has accomplished many accolades as an athlete herself. Coach Pittman attended Morris Brown College on a full basketball scholarship and a partial track scholarship. She specializes in coaching basketball, track and field, and soccer. She has coached soccer for approximately 9 years. She started coaching at Fayette County Rec, where she has won tournament Championships. She transitioned to high school soccer, for Hapeville Charter Career Academy. In 2021, she coached her team to achieve school history with their first State appearance. She aims to continually promote sportsmanship and works to help athletes realize their full athletic potential.

Coach Pittman’s vision is not only to teach the players the fundamentals along with advanced technical and tactical soccer skills, but also to help them grow as individuals. Her focus is on helping the players understand the game of soccer while inspiring and supporting their own individual growth and development of character and faith. Her goal is to instill these core values so they may grow as individuals with deep respect for family, friends, teammates, as well as fellow competitors.

Coach April Mitchell,  Asst Coach

Coach Mitchell is in her 3rd year of teaching Business Education and Computer Science at Luella High. Her experience of the game comes from watching her niece, Nyla, and nephew, Nathan, play the game starting as toddlers. From there, she began learning from watching and participating in their practices. She has gained great respect for the game and loves connecting with the students outside of the classroom. Her previous experiences and connections with the students allow her to organize and reinforce skills and talents.

Before teaching, Coach Mitchell was an insurance adjuster and worked as an Operations Manager in the parking industry prior. She is a graduate of Peach County High where she was a member of the Trojan Marching Band and Miss PCHS 1^st Runner-Up for 2006. Coach Mitchell earned her undergraduate degrees in Management and Marketing from the university of West Georgia and a Masters of Business Administration from Brenau University in 2016. She is currently working on her Master of Arts in Teaching and certificate from Thomas University.

Coach Mitchell does not have a favorite player or team, but cheers for the home team in every sport. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, new experiences and self-care.

Coach Mitchell has one faithful companion, Riley Devante-Dobbs.

Coach Alexis Sanchez Asst Coach

I have played soccer since I was five years old. I started playing soccer for Luella high school when I was in 8th grade. I played all four years of high school playing on the varsity team for Coach Roberts. I am excited to come back and now be able to share my love for the game as a coach.