Statesboro, Ga. – South Georgia Tormenta FC is proud to present two changes to the USL League One Technical Staff. Jordan Bell joins the club from One Knoxville as the Assistant Coach and Head of Goalkeeping, and Drew DeJohn has moved into a new position as the team’s Performance Director.
Bell spent the 2023 season as a First Team Assistant Coach at USL League One club, One Knoxville SC. Bell played a heavy role on the defensive side of One Knoxville, planning and executing the first Team tactical session. He also completed opposition analysis for set pieces of upcoming opponents which he presented to the first team.
Bell spoke about the appeal of joining Tormenta FC saying, “I am truly honored to join the Tormenta FC family. After speaking to previous coaches and players, they cannot speak highly enough of the club and its fanbase. The club has a history of winning, and I look forward to helping build on its legacy. Vamos Tormenta!”
Prior to coaching for One Knoxville, Bell coached at Florida Elite SA from 2021 to 2023. He worked as the Director of Coaching/GKs, a USL League Two Assistant Coach, and the USL W League GK Coach. In those positions, Bell was responsible for periodization of the 120 goalkeepers within the club based on their ability levels and writing individual development plans and evaluating the goalkeepers. From 2019 to 2021, Bell was the Director of Coaching/GKs for Triumph Youth SA where he coached two youth teams, planned and executed training sessions, and created individual development plans and player evaluations for the goalkeepers.
Bell also coached at the collegiate level, having coached at Young Harris College from 2014 to 2015 and again from 2018 to 2019. In addition, Bell coached at his Alma Mater, Upper Iowa University, from 2016 to 2018.
As a player, Bell played for Des Moines Menace during the 2019 USL League Two season where the team went undefeated during the regular season. From 2015 to 2018, he played for Mississippi Brilla FC, who made the USL League Two Semi-Finals during the 2017 season. Brilla qualified for the 2018 US Open Cup, where they faced Nashville SC, who were in the USL Championship at the time. Bell saved a penalty in the 25th minute of the match and ended in a 3-1 defeat.
“Jordan has been on our club’s radar for a number of years as someone our players would enjoy working with,” Head Coach Ian Cameron said. “His work ethic, ability to instruct both goalkeepers and field players, combined with his experience in many championship caliber teams makes him a great addition to our organization. We welcome Jordan and Eryn with open arms to our club and community and look forward to what we can accomplish together.”
Bell added, “I am extremely grateful, and cannot thank Ian (Cameron) and Darin (Van Tassell) enough for this opportunity. I am honored to be joining this coaching staff, and working with Ian and Jordan (Melia). It is a tremendous opportunity to continue to learn and grow as a coach under Ian’s guidance and leadership.”
DeJohn has accepted the position of Performance Director, having worked with both the first team and the Tormenta FC Academy since Aug. 2019. He completed his MS in Kinesiology from Georgia Southern in May 2021 and graduated with a BS in Exercise Science from State University of New York at Cortland in May 2018.
As the Performance Director, DeJohn will oversee phase one of training focusing on physically preparing the team and designing and conducting strength and conditioning plans for the team. DeJohn will also aid in the tactical planning and implementation of the Tormenta FC methodology and philosophy.
DeJohn will continue to be the head coach of the USL Academy team during the 2024 season. For the team, DeJohn handles recruitment and selection of the top youth talent, working closely with the Technical Director on producing the strongest talent from year to year.
During the 2023 season, DeJohn was the Academy’s U19 and U17 MLS Next head coach, responsible for the development of both the U19 and U17 MLS Next teams. This development has come through Individual Development Plans and team film administered by DeJohn. Under his leadership, 90% of the 2022 to 2023 U19 roster has moved on to play at the college level.
DeJohn has also served as the club’s Assistant Director of Soccer Operations, Head Coach of the NPL U14 and U16 teams, and Sports Scientist.
“I am very excited to attack this season and strive for success in both the league and the cup. Being a part of this staff is rewarding day in and day out with the amount of knowledge they possess about the game. I hope to use my understanding of the game’s physical demands to create a dangerously fit and healthy team throughout the season.” DeJohn continued, “It has also been an aspiration of mine to lead the USL Academy team ever since its inaugural season in 2021, and I am ready to take on the responsibility to develop our best youth talent, along with competing at the national level. Jordan has brought the program to incredible heights with his three years involved and two as Head Coach, and I plan to continue this progress in 2024.”
For additional information and scheduling interviews, call (770-871-8654) or email nschroyer@tormentafc.com.
