Scott zaring

Varsity Head Coach - 7th Season

Scott Zaring enters his 7th season as the program director for the Cavaliers coming off of a third State Final Four appearance. In his time, Zaring’s sqauds have collected three four Seminole District Regular Season crowns. The 2023 team also defeated Blacksburg 1-0 to capture the Region 4D championship.

During the 2023 season, Zaring mentored 3 First Team All State Selections, 9 All Region Selections and 11 All District Selections, as well as earned Coach of the Year, his fourth in as many seasons. Zaring was also named the Region 4D Coach of the Year. Following an opening game loss to Harrisonburg, the Cavaliers rattled off 18 straight wins before falling to Jamestown in the VHSL State Semi Final. The final record stood at 18-2 and the team allowed 8 goals on the season - good for third best all time in program history.

In the Fall, Zaring serves as an Assistant Coach at the University of Lynchburg under Coach Chris Yeager where he predominantly works with the goalkeepers. He has also had coaching stints with Southern Virginia University and Widener University. He has coached club and rec soccer for CVU and FYAA, where he is a board member.

Scott played his collegiate soccer at Lynchburg College where he graduated with a Business Administration degree and a Masters of Higher Education and Leadership. Prior to transferring to Lynchburg he was a 2nd team all CAC goalkeeper for Southern Virginia University.

From 2005-2008, Zaring was a 3 year starting goalkeeper for the Cavaliers. He helped the 2006 team to a JF record 6 goals against on their way to the program’s first ever Region Championship and was named to the All State team as a senior in 2008.

Zaring resides in Forest with his dog Trotter and teaches Sports and Entertainment Marketing at Jefferson Forest.

Philani Mlotshwa

Varsity Associate Head Coach - 2nd Season

Coach Mlotshwa rejoins the Cavaliers staff in an elevated role for the 2024 season. Philani will effectively serve as the team’s technical director and his responsibilities now include practice planning, technical and tactical development, and all on field activities.

The former Roanoke College standout tallied six goals and seven assists between 2017-20 as a midfielder for the Old Dominion Athletic Conference-rival Maroons. He was a second-team All-ODAC selection in 2018 and helped the Maroons to a 2019 NCAA tournament berth. Mlotshwa won Roanoke's 2021 Michael R. Murphy Award for extraordinary perseverance in accomplishing his academic and athletic goals.

He spent the 2023 season as an assistant on the Lynchburg staff and prior to that was involved with Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke.

The Bulawayo, Zimbabwe is pursuing a master's of business administration at Lynchburg.

Mitch Reed

Varsity Assistant Coach - 3rd Season

A former college standout and coach with Nyack College, Mitch brings a high soccer IQ to the Cavaliers Staff. Mitch is currently playing Semi Professional Soccer with Lynchburg FC and works extensively with Central Virginia United

Coach Reed will assist in practice planning and technical development for the Cavs.

Chris yeager

Varsity Assistant Coach - 3rd Season

The Head Men’s Soccer Coach at the University of Lynchburg, Coach Yeager brings high level experience to the Cavalier Staff. Previously, an Assistant Coach with the Jefferson Forest Girl’s Varsity Soccer team, Chris switched sidelines during the postseason of the 2022 season to help fill a coaching vacancy.

Yeager's Lynchburg squads have collected eight ODAC championships and seven NCAA Division III tournament appearances, most recently in the fall of 2021. Five Hornets have garnered All-America honors under Yeager's tutelage, and 39 players landed all-region nods for the six-time ODAC coach of the year. Most noteworthy, his 2010 squad finished the season as a D3 NCAA Tournament National Finalist.

Yeager earned his bachelor's degree from VWC where he was a four-year letter winner in soccer. He was voted the Blue Marlins' Rookie of the Year in 1990, top Defender in 1992, and Most Valuable Player in 1993. Also in 1993, he was named VWC's Best Male Athlete. In addition, Yeager started all 85 games during his collegiate career and was named to the NCAA Division III All-South Atlantic Region team in both 1992 and 1993. He holds a USSF 'B' and Advanced National license.

Yeager resides in Lynchburg with his wife, Shannon; three daughters, Bailey, Kailyn, and Grayson; and son, Keegan. He received his master's in sport management from Old Dominion University.

Zach Whelan

JV Head Coach - 2nd Season

Coach Whelan rejoins the Cavaliers for the 2024 season after a promotion to head coach.

Whelan is currently an All-ODAC center midfielder for the University of Lynchburg.

Alex Derstine

JV Assistant Coach - 2nd Season

Derstine joins the JV team for the first time after a stint with the Forest Middle School squad. He will assist the JV team as well as periodically train goalkeepers during the 2024 season.

Alex is currently a goalkeeper with University of Lynchburg and holds a Goalkeeper 1 and 2 License.

Greg Deramus

Forest Middle School Head Coach - 3rd Season

Kyle Wrabley

Forest Middle School Assistant Coach - 1st Season