Growing up in São Paulo, Brazil, soccer was always a first for the new girls’ varsity head coach – and 10th-grade chemistry teacher – Gianlucca Rossi. Rossi brings ambition and years of experience, having developed a love for the game at a young age.
Rossi has been playing soccer since childhood, competing through high school. By the time he was 15 or 16, he already envisioned himself becoming a coach. When he graduated, Rossi chose to pursue coaching rather than playing at the college level. That decision led him to coach at various schools, including Doral Academy, where he spent two years, as well as with private soccer clubs. His passion and leadership later opened the door to collegiate opportunities, and he is now part of the coaching staff at Miami Dade College.
“Even when I was a player, I was still, I think 15 or 16 years old, I had already thought about the fact I could coach,” Rossi said.
In addition to his coaching career, Rossi is dedicated to education, teaching chemistry to 10th-grade students at Gulliver. He views his dual role as both teacher and coach as an advantage, helping him establish strong relationships with student-athletes before they even step onto the field.
“I think it’s great Coach Rossi is both my science teacher and my coach because we already have a connection built since I’ve had him as my science teacher before the soccer season has even started,” sophomore Isabella Damas said.
The Gulliver Athletics staff is equally confident in Rossi’s leadership.
“We are very happy to have him as he is very passionate about what he does and is very eager to elevate the program,” Sports Information, Communications and Digital Media Coordinator Carson Racich said.
Rossi hopes to bring his skill and knowledge of the game to the girls’ varsity program, emphasizing both growth and teamwork.
“No one here is a pro yet; there is still space to develop and grow and improve as a player. So I think that’s our responsibility as a coaching staff as well,” Rossi said.
For Rossi, the focus extends beyond wins and losses. He aims to create a positive team culture, instilling lessons in teamwork, communication, and perseverance that players can carry into life.
“I think it goes beyond results; it goes to creating a positive team culture. It’s our responsibility as a staff in our first year to create that,” Rossi said.
Looking ahead, Rossi wants to build a lasting legacy at Gulliver.
“I think I just want to have a positive impact, whether that is, like I said, the results or just the day-to-day. I think it just has to be a positive impact from the things that I already mentioned: team culture, the day-to-day, the energy in the environment around the team. And also hopefully, the results everyone wants to win,” Rossi said.
