Mark Berson – Head Coach, Camp Director

Mark Berson begins his 38th season at the helm of the South Carolina soccer program in 2015. The University of South Carolina soccer camp program has an outstanding record of developing top quality talent. A large percentage of the current Gamecock team attended camp.

Coach Berson's Accomplishments:

• No. 1 Among active coaches in victories (455) while a Division I head coach
• No. 1 (Tied) NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Tournament appearances among active coaches (20)*
• No. 3 all-time in victories (455) while a Division I head coach
• 20 NCAA Tournament appearances, including 19 in last 27 seasons (.703)
• One of only three coaches to collect at least 450 victories while a Division I head coach
• Over forty Gamecock players have been drafted or entered into professional soccer
• US Soccer National Instructional Staff
• Former coach US National U18 team
• Former coach MLS player combine
• 32 winning seasons in 36 years coaching at the Division I level
• 2011 Conference USA Coach of the Year

*based on information compiled from NCAA Division I men's soccer media relations contacts #based on information compiled in the South Carolina Media Relations Office heading into 2012 season

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Justin Cook – Assistant Coach

Head coach Mark Berson announced on March 27, 2017, the hiring of Justin Cook as an assistant coach for the men's soccer program at the University of South Carolina. Cook joins the Gamecocks after 10 seasons (2007-16) as an assistant coach at Tulsa.

"Justin joins us from the University of Tulsa where he has consistently brought in outstanding recruiting classes and assisted in helping TU put an outstanding team on the field each year," said Berson, "He has an outstanding pedigree as a player at Ohio State, where he was one of only two players in history to earn both Big Ten freshman of the year honors and then Big Ten player of the Year honors as a senior."

Cook most recently served as an assistant coach and the recruiting coordinator for the Golden Hurricane. While with Tulsa, he was a part of eight NCAA Tournament teams, three American Athletic Conference Tournament Championships (2014-16), four C-USA Tournament Championships (2007-09) and three C-USA Regular Season Championships. In their eight NCAA berths with Cook, the Golden Hurricane advanced to the second round four times (2007-08, 10, 15), the third round once (2012) and the NCAA Quarterfinals once (2009). In 2010, the program received a school-best No. 2 national ranking. The program compiled a 117-60-25 (.683 pct) record overall during Cook's time there.

Tyler Kettering – Assistant Coach

Head coach Mark Berson announced on March 27, 2017, the hiring of Tyler Kettering as an assistant coach for the men's soccer program at the University of South Carolina. Kettering joins the Gamecocks after one season as an assistant at Dayton (2016) and seven as associate head coach at Gardner Webb (2009-16).

“Tyler has extensive experience as a player and coach, having competed in the MLS, and the USL as a goalkeeper,” said Berson, “As a goalkeeper at Gardner Webb University, he led the nation in saves for two seasons. As associate head coach at Gardner Webb, he was responsible for bringing in outstanding recruiting classes and helping develop the Gardner Webb program.”

In his lone season with the Flyers, Kettering helped develop A-10 Defender of the Year Lalas Abubakar, who was selected No. 5 overall in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft by the Columbus Crew. A native of Xenia, Ohio, Kettering came to Dayton after seven years as the Associate Head Coach for Gardner-Webb University. In his time at Gardner-Webb, Kettering served as the recruiting coordinator, ran day-to-day team operations, as well as developing and implementing practice sessions and overseeing the goalkeeper training throughout the season.