TJ McCallum has been playing soccer since age 4. He went through the Williamson County Soccer Association in middle Tennessee and the club TNFC. He graduated from Battle Ground Academy in Franklin, TN. He was a 4-year starter at Maryville College, earning All-Conference all four years and All-Southern Region for three years. He then spent four seasons with the Nashville Metros in the USL PDL league. As a rookie, he was named All-Southern Region player in the league in 2003. He spent one year with the Knoxville Force in the NPSL league.

TJ began his coaching career at Blount United in 2003 while at Maryville College. He also coached the Maryville Middle School boys in 2005. He returned to Blount United full-time in 2008 and has been coaching boys and girls teams since then.

Coach Anna, our Director of the BURSC Academy, started playing soccer at the age of 5 with Parks n' Rec. It wasn't until after making the Maryville High soccer team that she began playing with Blount United. She was coached by none other than our Director of Coaching, TJ McCallum! Anna has been a coach in the Academy for four years and has been the director for over a year. She continues to play in adult co-ed indoor and outdoor leagues throughout Knoxville. Outside of coaching, Anna enjoys teaching yoga, playing tennis, and spending time with family and friends. She currently works as a Client Service Specialist with Axiome Advisory Group. She is licensed to coach at the 7v7 level.

Bri McDaniel began playing soccer in North Carolina at age 3. She competed for one of the nation’s largest youth clubs at the time, CASL, as a member of the ’92 Spartan Elite Girls team. After relocating to Tennessee, she joined the ’92 STARZ at Blount United, playing up a year and serving as team captain and starting center back throughout her high school career.

Passionate about remaining involved in the game, Bri became a U.S. Soccer referee, officiating local and state leagues and tournaments for two years. She later returned to Blount United in 2015 to coach her first team, the 2006 Lady Hammers, leading them for five years to multiple tournament championships and advancement to Division I in the Tennessee State League.

In 2019, Bri enlisted in the United States Air Force and joined the 134th Air Refueling Wing, where she currently serves as a Technical Sergeant. She serves alongside her husband, Josh, a combat medic in the Army’s 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment. While continuing her military service, Bri completed her Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Performance from Middle Tennessee State University in May 2023 and earned her NASM Certified Personal Trainer credential that same year. She also holds two associate degrees: an Associate of Applied Science from Pellissippi State Community College and an Associate of Applied Science in Business Management from the Community College of the Air Force. Bri is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Strategic Leadership with a concentration in Sport Management and will graduate in May 2026.

In January 2024, Bri returned to her home club as Director of Soccer Operations for Blount United Rush SC. In partnership with the Director of Coaching and the board of directors, she helped build a strong, aligned leadership team committed to raising standards across every level of the club. Together, they implemented intentional systems, professionalized operations, and expanded programming to better serve players and families.

Under their leadership, Blount United has experienced a 275% increase in programming, introducing new recreational and competitive initiatives including a summer 5v5 league, Girls Night programming, TOPSoccer, an adult league, Club Day, tournaments, community events, showcase teams, college advisory services, and advanced player pathway opportunities through Rush Select. In 2025, Bri led the club’s national partnership with Rush Soccer, aligning Blount United with the world’s largest soccer organization while maintaining its deep community roots and commitment to local player development. 

Bri’s leadership has been formally recognized. She was named Soccer Village Administrator of the Year by the Tennessee State Soccer Association, one of the organization’s highest honors for contributions to youth soccer in the state. (TSSA) Additionally, in 2025, she received national recognition as US Youth Soccer Administrator of the Year, marking her as one of the top administrators in the country and highlighting her impact on the sport at both the state and national levels. (USYS)

Bri is supported by her parents, two sisters, her husband Josh, and their daughter, Logan. Bri’s long-term goal is to continue advancing as a director, serve Blount United Rush SC through intentional, mission-driven leadership, and help eliminate barriers for female leaders within the soccer industry.