Current discussion is split between the "news" and "moves" threads, so I thought it might be a good idea to make a dedicated thread to NWSL's coaching switches, especially since the "carousel" has been discussed in the past before. It's not that surprising for pro coaches to have relatively short tenures, but one thing that stuck out in NWSL was the fact that there have been a lot of lateral coaching moves within the league - Parsons from WAS to POR, Vlatko from KC to SEA, Gabarra from NJY to WAS, Harvey from SEA to UTA back to SEA, Coombe from NJY to LA - not to mention the number of assistants that got picked up by other teams (Reddy and Parkinson, just to name two). It's led in the past to criticisms of the lack of new blood in the coaching ranks, at least at the pro levels. We've had no previous players WUSA/WPS/NWSL players join the coaching ranks save a short 2013 season in POR with Parlow-Cone (and several have been assistants), and only once before (HOU w/ Waldrum) has an NCAA coach made the jump (though Burleigh could become full-time and become the second). This summer is, of course, rather notable for how many teams have (announced a) switch of coaches. As of right now, there are only 4 teams on track to have the same coach at the start of next season that they started this season with: -KC / Williams -CHI / Dames -HOU / Clackson -NC / Riley ...and I've heard to WoSoJourno discussion about whether Williams get the benefit of the doubt to stay on. The changes so far are: -SEA / Benstiti resigned -> Harvey -POR / Parson leaving (NED) -> TBD -NJY / Coombe leaving (LA) -> Parkinson -ORL / Skinner leaving (MNU) -> TBD -LOU / Holly fired -> TBD -WAS / Burke fired -> TBD I certainly hope that a lot of those TBDs can be filled with ex-players that have been assistant coaches before, or at least with women and/or Americans (as there's been commentary before on how many coaches in the league have been men and/or from the UK).
To paraphrase the Sara Lee pastry slogan: Nobody doesn't like Beverly Yanez. By concensus, Parkinson and Yanez were excellent choices by Gotham. As a WPS Champion with the WNY Flash, she wore a combination of the shortest shorts and shortest socks on the team. One of my favorite videos of her:
Count me in! Also, I didn't know the video and I like it a lot (she's an amazing dancer and I like when she talks about her stint in Japan and Naho ).
Oops, I forgot we had a thread specifically for coaching changes. X-D To update the first post: Only three teams to have no hints of the new coach yet. Of the new coaches added or look-to-be-added, we have three Americans and a Canadian, two women and two men. Definitely not bad! I'm still wishing Burleigh stayed on though.
The Equalizer BREAKING: Sean Nahas has officially been named the North Carolina Courage head coach, after serving as interim since September.
Louisville have found their next head coach: https://equalizersoccer.com/2021/12/09/racing-louisville-hires-kim-bjorkegren-as-new-head-coach/ Not female, not American.... But also not British! So at least a little more diversity among the NWSL coaching group. X-D Other good news at least is that it sounds like the players were *heavily* involved in the process, and hopefully the league's new background check protocol worked well.
Can't wait to see who the Red Stars will chose as new coach. I've heard nothing but good stuff on Rade Tanaskovic, the current Acting Head Coach. I've talked to a couple people in the know and they say he is a nice man and a very good soccer coach, not just a good goalkeeper coach. I personally would like to see Lori Chalupny, former Red Stars Captain get an interview. Bring back Marcia McDermott as GM.
The only reason I don't want Lori to go coach Chicago is because I'm holding out hope that STL City starts an NWSL side in the near future
Huge loss. He literally coached that team after Skinner bailed. Don’t have any clue what Orlando is doing. Announced Cromwell a month ago and it’s been crickets since
Well IIRC the ownership changed recently, and ever since then they've basically been cleaning house, both in the FO and on the field. Just looking for a fresh start, which isn't unreasonable. And speaking of the carousel - he's now with the KC Current.
KC Current adds Matt Potter, most recently from the USYNT and previously with long stints at Oklahoma and Washington State
Great hire for the Red Stars, IMO. I remember him when he was at Notre Dame when he coached Shannon Boxx and Kate Markgraf to a NCAA Championship in 1995. A right person to move the Club away from the Dames turmoil. Well liked and respected by players and peers.
THE LAST HAS FALLEN. (Or is falling and likely will be officially felled soon) Houston has suspended James Clarkson indefinitely on a recommendation they received last week from the ongoing joint NWSL/NWSLPA investigation into historic harassment and abuse Not a single coach that started the regular season last year will be in the same position at the start of this year's regular season.
Early indications are that better humans are leading the teams now. Out with the old school bully coaches.
With three currently coaching in the NWSL (Potter, Petrucelli, and Cromwell), at least one is bound too. I also think Mark K is a damn good coach who would do well at any level.
Waldrum also lasted for a bit over three seasons, which is more than a fair number of coaches could say, including a 2015 season that matched HOU's best placement to date (5th). Granted, the fact that HOU has experimented with a college coach before may be a knock against the idea for them specifically.
It seems that the Clarkson situtationhas a different vibe than Riley, Burke, Dames, and others. His situation may stem from a single case, rather than a long-perpetuated course of behaviors. Since there was a complaint, it goes into the system. And now his case is gummed up with all the other crap that is being investigated. As such resolution may take much longer than it would have if the complaint was being managed on its own.
No one's fired yet, and I hate having to bump this thread, but this seemed to belong here: Orlando Pride Announces Amanda Cromwell and Sam Greene Placed on Administrative Leave pic.twitter.com/l8p8lBA61Y— Orlando Pride (@ORLPride) June 7, 2022 Apparently, the investigation is looking at alleged retaliation: The Orlando Pride have placed head coach Amanda Cromwell and first assistant coach Sam Greene on administrative leave, "pending the conclusion of an investigation into alleged retaliation." #NWSL— Meg Linehan (@itsmeglinehan) June 7, 2022 EDIT to add: Athletic already has an article up on it, which mostly just adds background info but also the tidbit (from multiple sources) that the NWSL has frozen Orlando's roster