Thales Peterson Joins IDA at DME Academy as New Head Coach

Daytona Beach, FL – IDA is excited to announce the hiring of Thales Peterson as Head Soccer Coach. Peterson is set to take over the reins of IDA’s fast-growing soccer program in partnership with DME academy on May 15th. Peterson brings a wealth of soccer experience to the program and possesses strong leadership qualities that had him pegged for the position. 

Peterson comes to IDA @DME with an impressive coaching background. He has been coaching at various youth and professional levels for decades and holds a USSF A License. 

Peterson began his career as an Assistant Coach at the Empire Strykers (then named the Ontario Fury) in Ontario, California, and spent 13 years with FC Golden State, helping to build the youth program from scratch. Today, the club features thousands of players, many of which are MLS Next status. After his tenure with the Empire Strykers, Peterson was named head coach for the professional soccer club, Los Angeles Force, which plays in the National Independent Soccer Association out of Los Angeles, California. Most recently, he was the Girls Director and Head Coach at an ECNL-R club in the Sarasota, Florida area. Peterson is well-respected in the soccer community and has a proven track record of developing players and producing winning teams.

“We are thrilled to have Thales Peterson join the team as our Head Soccer Coach,” said Rick Angelicola, Academic Advisor at IDA @DME. “His extensive coaching experience, passion for the game, and commitment to player development make him the perfect fit for our program. His Brazilian roots and international ties will aid us in continuing to bring the best players from around the world to the fields at the IDA Florida Campus in Daytona.”

Peterson is equally excited about the opportunity to lead the IDA @DME Academy soccer program. 

I’m excited to work with a professional staff, at a state-of-the-art facility, and with high-level aspiring athletes. With dedication, the right mindset, and execution, you can achieve all your goals. I’m honored to help ignite the dream and make a positive impact on the lives of so many student-athletes.” 

The IDA soccer program in partnership with DME Academy is known for its commitment to excellence, both academically and athletically. With Peterson at the helm, the soccer program is positioned to continue its upward trajectory and achieve even greater success.