Technical Director
Nicolas Hallett
Coach Nic played collegiately (University of Minnesota) and semi-professionally (Minneapolis City SC, Vlora City FC) here in Minnesota. Often the captain of his teams, Nic has been functionally coaching since he was 16 years old and brings 10 years of formal coaching experience. Nic holds multiple licenses from the United States Soccer Federation, in addition to other various coaching diplomas. Throughout his time coaching, Nic has already trained more than 800 players, ranging from ages 7-18 years old.
Coach Nic founded Level Up Coaching after having tremendous success in club coaching and training players in private 1-on-1 sessions.
Recently, Coach Nic’s U12 boys club team won back-to-back Minnesota state titles. The boys, which were coached by Nic since 2017, were trained using the Level Up philosophy of individual technical training first and foremost.
Senior Coach
Jake Makela
Joining the Level Up staff in 2021, Coach Jake excelled at St. Thomas University here in Minnesota as a lightning-quick striker.
Coach Jake had a glittering career at Mankato West High School. In 2016, he won the Minnesota Mr. Soccer award, given to the state's most outstanding high school soccer player. He also currently holds the record for most career goals (134) scored in a high school career in the state of Minnesota!
Coach Jake will be running group sessions with the rest of the senior staff and is also available for private training sessions.
Senior Coach
Jörgen Munson
Coach Jörgen comes to Level Up after coaching collegiately at Dakota Wesleyan University for 3 years. Coach Jörgen joined the coaching staff of his alma mater after a successful 4-year playing career. While on the Tigers staff, Jörgen was tasked with running numerous technical skill sessions for the team to ensure they were prepared for competition. Coach Jörgen has also coached club soccer in Minnesota with Gitchi Gummi in Duluth.
Level Up is excited to add Coach Jörgen to the staff for many reasons, but given that fact that he is fresh off training collegiate players, we can only imagine the insights he has to provide to all of our younger, developing players.
Senior Coach
Andy Lorei
Coach Andy comes to Level Up after a long and illustrious professional soccer playing career.
Coach Andy played one season at Gannon University in Pennsylvania before turning pro at 19 years old with the Rochester Rhinos. After playing with the Colorado Rapids during multiple MLS preseasons, Andy joined Minnesota United in 2011. At that time, Minnesota was playing in the North American Soccer League, or the second division of United States pro soccer. Minnesota went on to be league champions that season.
Andy remained in Minnesota for a few years, including a stint with Minneapolis City SC during its inaugural season. Since then Andy has had playing stops with Bodens BK (Sweden), FC Tulsa (USA), Shah Alam Antlers (Malaysia) and San Diego Sockers (USA).
Throughout his career Andy has maintained a strong dedication to coaching, and skills training in particular, as he’s guided a number of athletes to the college and professional levels through small group and private 1-on-1 coaching over the last 12 years. Coach Andy has previously held senior coaching positions at LeftFoot Coaching Academy and Talent Source Academy. Andy also holds the USSF B License.
Coach Andy will join the Level Up senior staff and begin coaching training sessions starting October 2024.
Senior Coach
Jared Graham
Coach Jared was a standout high school player at Garner-Hayfield-Ventura in Garner, Iowa. Jared parlayed his successful youth career into playing overseas in Leeds, England at the Richmond International Soccer Academy.
Before recently moving to Minnesota, Coach Jared coached his alma mater to a historic season where they broke multiple school records including most wins in season, best winning percentage, least amount of goals conceded and furthest playoff advancement position.
Advisement Director
Jason Buechler
Coach Jason was a four-year starter and captain at Bethany Lutheran College. Jason, who holds the United States Soccer Federation’s D License, has vast coaching experience, including directing Park Valley United’s youth academy, which develops more than 100 players each year.
Jason joined the college coaching ranks as an assistant coach with the University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH) in 2018, where they went on to win the WHAC Conference and reached the NAIA National Tournament. Coach Jason is now an assistant coach with Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Coach Jason is extremely well-versed on the steps needed for a player to play collegiately. If you’d like to schedule a coaching call with him just email Admin@LevelUpCoaching.org.
