Kyle Gookins is in his fourth season as a member of the 49ers coaching staff. He came to Charlotte after two seasons as a member of the coaching staff at his alma mater, California State University-Bakersfield.

Gookins coaches the  U-18 Region III Boys team for FC Carolina Alliance.  The Lancaster, California native played for California State Univeristy- Bakersfield from 2000-03.

He was a two-time All-CCAA and Far West Region selection. He scored 29 goals and recorded nine assists during his four-year career. His 29 career goals ranks among CSUB's all-time leaders in career goals. Prior to becoming a member of the CSU-B coaching staff in 2007, he played three seasons for the Bakersfield Brigade, a United Soccer League Premier Development League team.

He also coached youth soccer for the Bakersfield Strikers, which later became the Bakersfield Brigade, for nine years.  Gookins earned his Bachelor's degree in History in 2004, a Master's degree in Education in 2008 at CSU-B and holds a USSF A coaches license.