A longtime Lincoln Memorial assistant coach and former pro men’s soccer player, Adriano Moraes joined Clayton State as an assistant men’s soccer coach in August of 2019.
COACHING EXPERIENCE
Moraes brings better than 12 years of coaching experience to the Lakers, a great deal of it at LMU and most recently as the Assistant Director of Coaching with AFC Lightning. In the latter role since May of 2019, he serves as the head coach of the Youth 03 and 04 NPL programs.
His impact would be felt over that extended stay in Harrogate as he served as a graduate assistant coach for both the men’s and women’s programs from August of 2007 through May 2010 before transitioning into a permanent role as the assistant coach for both teams.
After seven seasons in both positions, his duties focused solely on the men’s team from December of 2016 through January of 2019. From July 2018 through May 2019 he also served as the Academic Support and Career Services Counselor for International Student-Athletes.
During that time he would help lead the Lady Railsplitters to the 2013 South Atlantic Conference Championship and appearances in the league title game in 2012 and 2016. Perhaps the most impressive seasons came in 2007 when the women won the Appalachian Region Championship and the men delivered a national championship runner-up finish.
Along with his experience at LMU, Moraes has also been the head coach at the J. Frank White Academy (2013-19) on the Harrogate campus and the Tennessee Olympic Development Program (2013-18).
COLLEGIATE PLAYING CAREER
LINCOLN MEMORIAL (2006)
A former student-athlete at Division II Lincoln Memorial in Harrogate, Tennessee, he may have played just one season on the field for the Railsplitters in 2006 but it was one that was a turning point for the program.
That season he played in all 20 games, starting 19, as the team went an incredible 15-2-3 to advance to the NCAA Division II National Semifinals for the first time in program history.
Additionally, he trained alongside a number of outstanding players and coaches in his native Brazil, namely with clubs such as São José Esporte Clube, Associação Atlética Matonense and Associação Atlética Internacional de Limeira, before coming to the United States.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
On top of his collegiate and youth coaching experience, he also brings knowledge from the professional ranks as both a player and a coach. In the summer of 2008 he filled both roles in Baton Rouge, Louisiana as part of the Premier Development League.
EDUCATION
Moraes holds a Bachelors in Physical Education from the University of Vale do Paraiba (Brazil) and earned his Masters in Education and School Counseling from Lincoln Memorial.
Additionally, he has achieved the United Soccer Coaches (USC) Premier Diploma as well as the National Diploma, Goalkeeper Level I Diploma and Director of Coaching certificate.
PERSONAL
Adriano and his wife Maria Clara are the parents of two daughters, Larissa and Sophia. They currently reside in Atlanta, Georgia.
