Logo-RGB-square
LK United Soccer
Life Christian Academy Lions + Huntsville Knights

LK UNITED Varsity Coaches

Jeremiah Burley

Varsity BOYs Head COACH

Jeremiah Burley - 200x200

I was born and raised in Oregon and played Basketball, and track and field as a kid. As an adult I played church basketball/softball and the occasional pick up soccer game. We moved to Huntsville about 5 years ago and my children were introduced to soccer and now love the game. Since I played team sports as a kid and as an adult, I’ve come to appreciate the fun, discipline and perseverance that comes with playing on a team. My wife Katherine and I currently live in the Madison/Harvest area raising our 6 sons and one daughter. 

I believe that in whatever we do, we should do it unto the Lord and for His Glory. I believe soccer is like life and I’m excited for this new boys team and the lessons that will be learned. 

I love Hebrews 12:1–2 “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.” Whether Basketball, cross-country, or soccer, let us run the race set before us, unto Him, by His strength and for His glory. Go LK United!

Nathan Mount

Varsity Boys Assistant COACH

Nathan-headshot-200x200

I was born in Ukraine and adopted at the age of seven by a loving family in Huntsville, Alabama. Adjusting to a new home and culture, I quickly began to love the sport of soccer. Since then, soccer has become more than just a game—it’s been a way to grow in my abilities, build confidence, and connect with others. I started playing AYSO soccer in elementary school and later joined the Huntsville Knights to finish out my high school career. Currently I play for an adult league, HASL. I hope to share my skills and love for the sport with younger kids, inspiring them to grow both on and off the field and to love the Lord. Go LK United!

Benny Rosengren

Varsity Boys Assistant COACH

Benny-200x200

I was born and raised here in Huntsville, Alabama. I started playing soccer with my dad coaching my Upward team when I was three years old. When I was around 12, God radically changed my life through His word and through a tragic circumstance when one of my teammates suddenly passed away with a brain aneurysm. God taught me to see the value of life and to never take it for granted, showing me that every day is a sweet gift from Him. Since then, I strive to live my life to the fullest every day for His glory!

During high school, I played soccer for the Huntsville Knights in the 2020-2023 seasons under Coach Martin Barinaga, participating in several National Homeschool Tournaments and Charity Cup tournaments. In my senior year, I also played for the NASC 05 Boys NPL team for the fall 2023 season under Coach Amar Amin as a winger/forward, where our team won the 31st Annual Leidos KICKS Invitational tournament.

After that fall season, I realized that wanting to play soccer at the collegiate level had become an idol in my life, taking too much of my time away from God, His word, and church, so I decided to step away from the sport as I entered college. Now, as a sophomore in Computer Engineering at UAH, I’m so excited to come back as a coach! I can’t wait to share the knowledge and skills I’ve learned over the years and the joy I have in Christ!

"I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore, my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.” -Psalm 16:8-9

Adam Bilyeu

Varsity Girls Head COACH

IMG_7325

I was born and raised in Indiana, but have been in Huntsville now for 23 years.  I played basketball and ran track, but didn’t play a lot of soccer.  It wasn’t as popular when I was a kid like it is today.  I served in the Air Force for almost 8 years in North Dakota working on nuclear missiles.  I left the Air Force, went back to school, and graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering.  I graduated with and stood next to Drew Brees!  Mara and I moved to Huntsville, in 2001 after graduating college and have been here ever since.

I’ve been involved in soccer since 2016, when one of our girls started playing for the Lady Knights with Mary Claire. I figured since I’m going to be at the field, I might as well help out where ever I can so I started helping coaching with Chris Blewett. Soccer has since been a big part of our lives and I love watching, playing, coaching, and encouraging the LK United!
I love Psalm 37:4 “Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” If you glorify Him and make Him known, God will surely fill our hearts with joy. He has blessed me with my wife Mara, and our 4 daughters!
Looking forward to another great year of soccer! Let’s go LK!

Scott McKune

Varsity Girls Assistant Coach

IMG_7326
I have been involved in soccer with my daughter for over ten years. She attends Athens Bible School, where they did not have enough players to maintain an active soccer team. We were grateful to discover the Lady Knights, allowing her to play the sport she has loved since childhood.
Growing up in the 80s and 90s, I watched some incredible players and teams showcase their skills. I admired their teamwork and patience in controlling the ball, which made a lasting impression on me. As a child, I played soccer and studied the tactics employed by those great teams. During my four years as an assistant and coach at the recreational league in Athens, Alabama, I applied those tactics to better understand the impact of positioning and ball control on the game. I also served as an assistant coach for the Junior Girls FC in Tanner, Alabama, until the team disbanded during COVID-19, after which the remaining players transferred to United in Huntsville, Alabama. I volunteered to become a referee for the team and completed my U.S. Soccer Federation certification course.
I met my wife, Gayle, in Athens, Alabama, in 1996, and we have been happily married for 19 years. I retired from the military after 23 years in the Army Reserves, where I served as a Unit Supply Sergeant and an Automated Logistics Specialist. I was deployed to Iraq from 2006 to 2007 and had multiple mobilizations to Central America, specifically Honduras and El Salvador, to support the rebuilding of areas affected by natural disasters. In the civilian sector, I work as an IT Specialist and field service technician, continuing to support our troops and their missions.

LK UNITED JV Coaches

devin RosIn

JV BoYS Head COACH

IMG_7369
I grew up playing soccer with friends in North Georgia, but never on a team. At 18, I joined the Army and was stationed Colorado Springs, CO, where I met my wonderful wife Kristin and our three boys were born. Our boys started playing soccer at an early age and we have enjoyed many wonderful years watching them play and grow. I have served as an assistant coach for two AYSO seasons, and am excited to be a part of launching the LK United boys team. I am especially looking to forward encouraging young men as they develop their skills, discipline, and character.
 “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.” John 15:8

John Kirkwood

JV Boys Assistant COACH

IMG_7368
I grew up in Syracuse NY, attended public school, and spent every fall on the cross-country team, winter on the wrestling team, and spring on the track & field team.  As we began down the homeschool path with our four children, it was very concerning to me that we would have far fewer opportunities to pursue and develop the character, teamwork, self-discipline, confidence (in victory and graceful defeat) and physical and mental well-being that comes with being an athlete.  My wife suggested in 2019 that we sign our oldest two up for soccer.  That seemed like a good idea so I wrote a check.  After the check cleared, I was informed that somebody had to coach.  I spent the next seven years in various combinations of assistant and/or head-coach for 8U, 10U, 12U, and 15U teams with AYSO.  And now I am thrilled to be part of a program and coaching staff that seeks above all else to glorify God in whatever we do.  Off the field, my wife Katy and I live in Toney with our daughter and three sons on some land that we charitably refer to as a farm.  I am employed as an Army civilian on Redstone Arsenal.  I am a deacon at Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Katy Kirkwood

JV Girls Head COACH

IMG_7370
I grew up in a soccer family in Birmingham, and played a little in middle and high school, but refereed much more than I played. I am married to John and we have been in Huntsville for over a decade now, raising our four kids. As our kids grew out of diapers, and my daughter's team needed a coach, I jumped at the chance to get involved again with my favorite sport. I have been coaching in various capacities for four years now, and LK United is my favorite team to be a part of by far.

Anica Williams

JV Girls Assistant COACH & Conditioning Coach

IMG_7371
I love Jesus, and I am passionate about discipling the next generation to know Him and to do hard things with faith and courage.  Growing up, I was always drawn to physical fitness and training. Over the years, I have participated in track, dance, and many pick-up volleyball and softball games, and as an adult, I became a certified fitness instructor.  My husband of 23 years and I have seven children who have always been involved in sports (baseball, softball, dance, and soccer), and we love to be outside as a family playing and cheering each other on.

It is a privilege to be part of this LK United team and help lead these girls not only to play with excellence and integrity, but also to learn to love each other and the Lord well, all while having lots of fun on the field!

LK UNITED Specialty Coaches

Jared Hunt 

Goalie Coach
IMG_7327
First and foremost, I want everyone to know that I love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ. He is first in my life and in the lives of my family (my beautiful wife and two lovely daughters). We desire to live out 1 Corinthians 10:31, which says, “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” This means that even the way we pursue sports is done with the goal of glorifying God.
I absolutely love the game of soccer, no matter whether I’m playing, coaching, or just watching. I grew up playing soccer from age 6 in Colorado. I was blessed to be able to play for over 20 years, including in college and post-college with a semi-professional indoor soccer team in Colorado Springs.
However, what I didn’t realize until moving my family from Colorado to Alabama was that, in reality, I had pursued soccer as something I idolized (i.e. I worshiped playing, watching, and living the game for myself, rather than worshiping and living for the Lord). God graciously revealed that to me, and so much more, and ultimately brought me to salvation in Jesus in 2009. From that point on, He has been renewing my perspective on the game more and more so that I can enjoy all the aspects of soccer from a better perspective.
What all this leads to is a love for coaching, mentoring, and guiding young players in pursuing excellence of skill and ability, for the glory of God. My focus as a coach is providing the players with the knowledge and ability to play soccer at the highest level they desire, while constantly encouraging them to remember that their hearts are yet more important. Through this, my hope is that all their efforts, both on and off the field and through high school and beyond, won’t simply be spent on themselves, but instead will be used to love and serve God and others (Mark 12:30).

Jamie Clauss 

goalie Coach
Jamie - Goallie Coach headshot

Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, I grew up playing soccer from a young age.  Fast forward to my freshman year of high school, a case of mono had me sitting on the sidelines at the doctor's orders.  Desperate to be on the field, I begged my coach to let me go in, even if I could only be in goal.  Thankfully, he relented, and I never looked back!  I had no idea what I was doing in the goal, but thanks to the generosity of a couple goal keeping coaches in my high school years, my skills greatly improved.
The Lord graciously gave me the opportunity to play at the Division I level at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio.  After a year, I decided to focus on short term mission work with Athletes in Action, studying abroad, and trying my hand at rugby.  
I met my husband, Adam, my junior year, and a couple years later we were married.  I was recruited for the Ohio women's rugby team but then shortly after we moved to Huntsville for  Adam's job.  We were blessed to find a wonderful church family and build our home and careers here.  In 2011, we welcomed our son Isaac who attends LCA and plays basketball and soccer.
I'm honored to be able to pay it forward and jump in occasionally for keeper training for the Knights.  These girls are such a blessing to know and pour into.
God is good and to Him be all the glory! 


MarA Bilyeu

Soccer Program director
Mara-200x200
I grew up in North Dakota and many can still hear the “twang” in my voice despite being in the south for 23 years now.  I was a swimmer- not a soccer player, but started to love the sport since my girls play. We have been with Lady Knights since 2016, when one of our older girls played for Mary Claire.

I have a bachelors degree in Nursing and am known to be safety patrol on and off the field. I was a trauma nurse so it’s ingrained in me.  I homeschooled our four girls. I say I homeschool, but really I just manage and guide now for most of their classes. I have been married to my hubby, Adam, for 27 years. I truly love to organize and plan and am happy to serve. This year I will be teaching a Bible Recap class, y’all need to check out the book if you haven’t already!