The Chicago Fire announced today that new head coach Denis Hamlett has named his coaching staff, which will include: Michael Jeffries as assistant coach, recently retired Chicago Fire player Chris Armas as assistant coach, and Daryl Shore as goalkeeper coach. In addition, Fire President and General Manager John Guppy appointed Chicago Fire alumnus Frank Klopas as technical director for the team.
"Mike, Chris, Daryl, and Frank offer a tremendous amount of player and coaching experience to Denis and the Fire. I have confidence Denis and his staff will collectively provide the leadership necessary to win and lead the Fire into a championship season," said Andrew Hauptman, owner, Chicago Fire. "I'm also very excited that two of our most passionate and beloved Chicago Fire alumni - Chris Armas and Frank Klopas - are reuniting with the organization. Fans should be thrilled that our coaching ranks will be infused with true Fire passion and loyalty."
"I feel very fortunate to have the talents of Mike, Chris, and Daryl, I believe our players will reap the benefits of their coaching skills. I'm also especially excited to have Frank assume the new technical director/chief scout post at the Fire," said Hamlett. "I truly hope fans will be as excited as I am that the Fire is bringing back some of their very own to guide our team to a future of winning."
"It's no surprise that Denis has selected a first rate coaching staff. I am also very excited that Frank, with his knowledge, contacts, and exceptional talents, will join us as technical director," said Guppy. "Adding this new position will help ensure the Fire is always in the best possible position to have a championship caliber team."
Mike Jeffries, 46, joins the Fire as an assistant coach after most recently spending two years as the assistant coach at his alma mater, Duke University. Prior to his time with the "Blue Devils", Jeffries served as the head coach of the Dallas Burn (now FC Dallas) from 2001-03. From 1998-2000, the Massachusetts native, served as an assistant coach for the Fire under former-head coach Bob Bradley, helping the team to the 1998 MLS championship and 1998 and 2000 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup titles. Jeffries began his coaching career with the New Orleans Riverboat Gamblers of the USISL after his professional playing career retirement in 1988. Jeffries playing career included four years with the Minnesota Strikers, before joining the Dallas Sidekicks for one season. The former U.S. Men's National Team player went on to earn his USSF "A" license and a master's degree from Tulane University in finance.
Chris Armas, 36, midfielder and five-year captain for the "Men in Red, begins his coaching career after retiring last season from a 12-year career in MLS - ten of which were spent in Chicago. The Fire acquired Armas in 1998, and the Adelphi University product was a critical asset to the team, helping the Fire win their first-ever MLS Championship that year. Between 1998 and 2001, Armas was named to the MLS Best XI four consecutive times. He was named to his fifth Best XI after the 2003 MLS season, in addition to being selected as the MLS Comeback Player of the Year. Armas was also awarded the U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year in 2000. During his 12 years in MLS, Armas totaled 12 goals and 48 assists, plus added four goals and four assists all-time in playoff games. Armas also played for the USISL's Long Island Rough Riders, and was selected as a USISL All-Star.
Daryl Shore, 37, will continue as the Fire's full-time goalkeeper coach, a position he has held since 2000. He also currently serves as the Assistant Coaching Director for the Chicago Fire Juniors, the official youth soccer club of Chicago Fire Soccer. Shore joined the Chicago Fire as the team's first full-time goalkeeper coach in 2000 and also currently serves as the Assistant Coaching Director for the Chicago Fire Juniors, the official youth soccer club of Chicago Fire Soccer. Shore began his coaching career as an assistant at his alma mater Birmingham-Southern College for two years. During that time, Shore also played for the USISL's Birmingham Grasshoppers, with who he enjoyed a standout 1994 season that included him earning the USISL's Mid-South Goalkeeper of the Year award and a nod to the USISL All-Star Game, in which he played alongside current Fire member Chris Armas. Shore would leave Birmingham in 1995 to join the USL A-League's New Orleans Riverboat Gamblers, where he served double duty as the team's goalkeeper and assistant coach. Shore would earn promotion to New Orleans' head coaching position in 1998 and lead the team to the postseason in his first year at the helm. Shore would join the A-League's Lehigh Valley Steam the following year and took the expansion team to the A-League playoffs during his first of two seasons before leaving Pennsylvania to join the Fire.
"Ring of Fire" inductee Frank Klopas, 42, rejoins the club as technical director for the Fire. Klopas joined MLS in 1996 as a member of the Kansas City Wizards, where he spent two years before heading to the Chicago Fire. He played two years for Chicago, during which time he helped the team capture both the MLS Cup and the U.S. Open Cup in 1998. Over his four years in MLS, Klopas scored 13 goals and added 16 assists; tallying six goals and five assists in 40 games (24 starts) for the Fire. After Klopas retired in 2000, he joined the team as a strength and conditioning trainer and most recently coached the youth soccer club, F.C. Drive, in Chicago. Prior to F.C. Drive, Klopas was named the head coach and general manager of the MISL expansion franchise Chicago Storm, where he led the team to a playoff berth in its second season.
