After a month-long search, the Chicago Fire has finally named a new head coach. Long-time assistant Denis Hamlett became the fourth head coach in club history after signing a multiple-year contract.
"This is a position I've been working towards for a long time," Hamlett said. "There is no other place that I'd rather take this club. I'm looking forward to continuing that winning tradition."
Hamlett's opportunity starts sooner rather than later. The adidas MLS Player Combine starts Saturday in Ft. Lauderdale with games all weekend. Next Friday, Hamlett and his staff will take place in the MLS SuperDraft (1 p.m. CT) in Baltimore. Hamlett said he looks forward to scouting the players and filling in some holes for the Fire.
"I want to try and see what type of players can come in and have an impact," Hamlett said. "I'm going to pay close attention to all the players and hopefully make the right decision come draft day."
Fire President and CEO John Guppy said that Hamlett was a leading candidate during the entire search, but they wanted to take their time while making the decision.
"We went into the search with perspective that we were going to be extensive. We were going to be thorough. If it took a little bit extra time to find the right man for the job, then so be it," Guppy said. "Our focus now is what's going to happen and taking this team to the next level."
Hamlett has a long history with the Fire and Major League Soccer. He began his MLS career in 1996 as the 12th pick in the MLS draft. He played 31 games for the Colorado Rapids that season earning that club's Bic Tough Defender of the Year honors. He hung up his cleats in 1997 and turned to coaching.
In 1997, former Fire president Peter Wilt hired Hamlett as his first employee. Hamlett helped Chicago to five championships (MLS Cup 1998, Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006 and the 2003 MLS Supporters' Shield).
"I think this has worked out for the best for Chicago," Wilt said. "In the end I know they got the best person for the job. People forget that he was an important part of the Fire winning six trophies. He helped assemble those teams and coach those teams. Bob [Bradley] and Dave [Sarachan] will be the first to tell people that he's been an integral part of this organization's success literally since day one. He was the first employee I hired. For him to take this spot 10 and a half years after he joined me, I couldn't be more proud."
Originally from Costa Rica, Hamlett's been an interpreter for Fire players and coaches since day one. Hamlett becomes the second consecutive Latino coach to lead the Fire (Hamlett served as the interim head coach for three games before Juan Carlos Osorio took over during the 2007 season). He is also the first black Latino coach in MLS history.
Fire veteran defender C.J. Brown has been playing under Hamlett and company since day one.
"It's a great opportunity for Denis," Brown said. "He's now a head coach in MLS and has an opportunity to grow. He's always done what the head coach wants ... now it will be interesting to see what kind of team he puts on the field. He's worked under good coaches. He's learned a lot."
In his tenure with Chicago, Hamlett has coached under Bob Bradley (1998-2002), Dave Sarachan (2002-2007) and Juan Carlos Osorio (2007). As with many other coaches, Hamlett said he will take a little bit from each one and combine it with his way of thinking to create his own style.
"I've had the great experience of working with three coaches who brought different qualities," Hamlett said. "I feel like by learning different styles from those guys ... it's going to help me start my process as a head coach. I will take a little bit of each and decide how it will help me become a better coach."
Hamlett said he will sit down and figure out his staff in the near future. Former Fire captain Chris Armas is on the short list of potential assistant coaches. Meanwhile, Hamlett and Daryl Shore will head down to Florida and start scouting players. And so the Hamlett story begins.
Kathryn L. Knapp is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
