For the Chicago Fire, this season will see the new assistant coaching staff reunite three guys whose paths have crossed before. Mike Jeffries, Chris Armas and Daryl Shore will be patrolling the sidelines together under new head coach Denis Hamlett. The three new assistant coaches were all a part of the 2000 Chicago Fire team, two as coaches and one as a player.
Shore and Jeffries first worked together in New Orleans in 1995 when Jeffries brought Shore to the team as a player and an assistant coach. In 2000, when the Chicago Fire were looking for a goalkeeper coach, Jeffries recommended Shore for the job and then head coach Bob Bradley brought Shore aboard.
Armas joined the Fire in 1998 in a trade from L.A. At that time, Jeffries was an assistant coach with the Fire. The two continued the player-coach relationship until Jeffries left the Fire after the 2000 season. Armas has continued playing for the Fire through last season, working with Shore since he was hired in 2000.
When asked about the upcoming season, all three agree on a number of things including the desire to return to the same kind of success as the last time they were all here. "We are all in it together and we're here to help each other get better and win championships," insisted Shore.
Shore discussed the new staff by saying, "It's great to have Mike back. It's great to have Frankie back and it's going to be fun to have Chris join our staff." Jeffries was equally enthusiastic; "I'm very excited to return to Chicago and the opportunity to work with the staff. I've worked with everybody before." Armas, new to the coaching ranks said, "I am so glad that I have been given this opportunity to become part of the coaching staff."
Jeffries returns to the Fire after spending the last two seasons as an assistant coach with Duke University. Referring to his return to Chicago, Jeffries stated, "I am excited to be in an environment where soccer and winning are priorities." "He has always been part of the Chicago Fire family," Armas responded, referring to Jeffries. Jeffries served as an assistant coach for the Fire from 1998-2000.
Armas joins the Fire coaching staff after a spectacular career on the pitch. The former Fire captain was excited to be back with the Fire in this new capacity saying, "I'm fully committed to work for Denis as hard as I can and to give him as honest an effort as I possibly can because I believe in Denis and that is why I am back with Chicago." Shore feels that Armas will have no problem transitioning to a coach. "He's going to step right in to the role and be a big asset to us. Chris was already a coach on the field being the captain of the team."
Shore returns to the Fire for his ninth season as part of the coaching staff. Looking forward to the upcoming season and new coaching staff, Shore says, "It's a group of guys that all get along, but at the same time respect each other and know what the task at hand is and that's winning championships."
The Fire also hired former player Frank Klopas as technical director. Look for a Q & A with Klopas in the next edition of the Fire Insider.
So what is the biggest factor in the new coaching staff having a successful season? The overwhelming response was respect for each other. "The common thing that we all have is that we respect each other and we not afraid to ask each other of their opinions," remarked Shore. Armas echoed that sentiment saying, "I have a lot of respect for that locker room and for Denis and the other coaches. I feel like it's a great situation."
Shore sums it up best saying, "It's soccer and family and that's what it's all about."
