Assistant Coaches

A former VCU standout, Lucas Paulini enters his fifth season as an Assistant Coach for the Rams in 2023. 

In 2021, VCU appeared in the United Soccer Coaches poll for 11 straight weeks, and reached as high as No. 12 in the rankings. The Rams recorded three wins over ranked teams, and Celio Pompeu earned A-10 Midfielder of the Year honors.

Before returning to Richmond, Paulini spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Houston Baptist University working under former VCU assistant coach, Ryan Pratt.

Prior to joining HBU, Paulini spent two seasons at Virginia Commonwealth University as the Director of Operations where he assisted in planning and conducting daily training sessions, film breakdown and scouting report development.

Paulini, who was the first Ram to sign a professional contract under head coach Dave Giffard, signed with the Atlanta Silverbacks in 2011, making his debut on April 9 against NSC Minnesota Stars. He played four seasons in Atlanta. After just one season with VCU, Paulini earned CAA All-First Team honors. He also earned All-Region recognition in each of his four collegiate seasons, after being a three-time honoree at Tusculum College. 

Entering his 1st season with the Rams, Carlos Pedraza joins VCU after spending the last seven years at Montverde Academy with the SIMA program.  In his time with SIMA Carlos worked with some of the top young players in the country that have gone through not only top college programs, but many who have gone on to feature in USL, MLS and in Europe's top leagues.