University of the Cumberlands

University of the Cumberlands Athletics Dept
7526 College Station Drive Williamsburg, KY 40769

NAIA Kentucky Midwest

Private Small Competitive team

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Coaches

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Paulo Neto

Paulo Neto returns to UC for his second stint as the Head Men's Soccer Coach after being hired in June 2024. Coach Neto coached at UC from 2005-2011, where he became the Patriots all-time wins leader accumulated an 82-29-8 record.

In his previous stint at Cumberlands, Neto reached double-digit wins in all six seasons, including a 15-5-2 record during the 2006 season, and a 15-5-1 record in 2009. In 2006, the Patriots cracked the NAIA top-25 for the first time in program history. In 2008, the Patriots won the MSC regular season. Neto guided UC to two NAIA regional appearances (today's first rounds of nationals) and three NAIA top-25 national finishes.

For the past five years, Neto served as the Club Technical Director for the West Florida Flames, MLSNext club affiliate. There he led the technical operations of one of the largest clubs in Florida with over 12,000 members and 5,000 players across the Tampa Bay Area running recreational, competitive, and adult soccer programs. Prior to his time with WFF, Neto served as the Asst Technical Director for Pennsylvania West Soccer Association (2017-2019), overseeing the Olympic Development Program and Coaching Education Programs.

Neto boasts nearly 15 years of collegiate coaching experience at various levels of the game: Saint Francis University PA (NCAA-I) 2015-2017, Shorter University (NCAA-II) 2012-2015, University of the Cumberlands (NAIA) 2005-2011, and Lincoln Memorial University (NCAA-II) 2003-2005 (assistant coach). Neto also has extensive experience with ODP serving over 18 years combined state, regional, and national coaching positions in the Midwest and East Regions. In addition to his collegiate and ODP experience, he manned the helm of semi-professional teams, with head coaching stints at Baton Rouge Capitals-PDL (2009), Gulf Coast Texans-NPSL (2013), Knoxville Force-NPSL (2014-2015), and Fort Pitt Regiment-NPSL (2018).

Neto is a 2003 graduate of Union College (Kentucky) with triple majors in Business Administration, Physical Education, and Sports Management. He holds a master’s degree in business administration from Lincoln Memorial University.

Before coming to the United States, Neto played in the youth system of some of the best clubs in the world including Fluminense FC and SC Corinthians. Collegiately, Neto was a four-year starter at Union College (NAIA) earning All-Conference honors each season including Conference Player of the Year in his senior year. His various other achievements include being named All-Region in 2000, 2001 and 2002, and All-America in the same years. He's the all-time leading scorer at Union with 69 goals and 50 assists. Professionally, Neto was part of the Cincinnati Kings squad (USL) in 2004-2005 before taking over his first head coaching position.

Coach Neto is the founder and current director for Brazilian Way Soccer, a youth soccer camp company, running camps in six different states and serving over 1000 campers every summer since 2006.

Neto's coaching licensing includes:

- United States Soccer Federation (USSF) "A" License, a USSF National Youth License, a USSF Instructors License, and a USSF Director of Coaching License.

- Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) “A” License

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Jack Smith

Jack Smith joins UC as the Assistant Coach for Men's Soccer. Coach Smith joins UC after being hired in August of 2024.

In his previous stint, Smith was an Assistant Coach at Union Commonwealth University from 2020-2023. In his time at Union, Smith contributed to a 35-14-9 overall record. He helped lead the Bulldogs to a program high #13 NAIA National Ranking, NAIA National Tournament Second Round Appearance, three different AAC Tournament appearances, and a second place finish in the Regular Season for the AAC.

Smith graduated from Union Commonwealth University with his BS in Exercise Science in 2020, his MA in Teacher Leadership in 2022, and MS in Athletic Administration in 2024. He is currently working towards his USSF D License.

Smith currently lives in Barbourville, KY with his partner, Ashley, and baby boy, Jude.