E. RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Don't ask Richie Williams if he'll miss being an MLS head coach because he hasn't had enough time to even give it thought. Williams hasn't had time for much of anything since he was named interim coach on June 27.
With goalkeeping coach Des McAleenan at his side, the two did the work of staffs twice their size, having to coach both first team and reserve team games. That the Red Bulls have climbed out of the Eastern Conference cellar and into sole possession of third place, just two points behind New England, is remarkable.
But Williams doesn't want to take the credit.
"There's no savior here," said Williams, who spent three months as an MLS assistant before replacing the fired Mo Johnston. "The guys basically have done really well on the field. The play has been a lot better and they're getting better as a team and obviously that's going to continue under Bruce."
Bruce, of course, is Bruce Arena, who was named the Red Bulls sporting director and head coach July 18 and who takes over officially Monday. After Williams finished his short tenure winning four of his last five games, including a fourth-round U.S. Open Cup game against the Wilmington Hammerheads on Wednesday, he will remain with the Red Bulls as an assistant on Arena's staff.
"I've enjoyed it thoroughly and gained a lot of experience in the short stint that I've been the head coach," Williams said. "I'm happy to be one of the assistants again under Bruce. I still have a lot to learn as far as coaching."
With a yet to be named technical director, right now Williams is joined by John Harkes on Arena's sideline. They both played for Arena at the University of Virginia, D.C. United as well as the U.S. national team. They also each own homes in Northern Virginia.
"I think (Williams) and the staff here has done a great job," Harkes said. "That's sometimes difficult to do when things aren't going so well, but Richie is organized and the players, just being in with them for short period of time, they're winning to come together and fight for each other and that's the first thing. You have to be able to play as a group first in this league."
While Williams deflected praise to the players, they know that Williams is at least partially responsible for their recent stretch of success.
"Making that transition from assistant to head coach is not easy but he's done very well," defender Todd Dunivant said. "He's kept a fine line from having fun with the guys to at the same time being the boss. He's got us going in the right direction ... and that's a great thing that not a lot of people expected going into Bruce's first game."
What's the secret to Williams' success?
"I think he doesn't overcomplicate it," Dunivant added. "Sometimes coaches try and do too much but a lot of it is just managing. He's good at letting his players and their talents come through on the field. He doesn't get in the way."
And now Williams will move over, giving way to Arena. He hasn't had time to decide if he has the head coaching bug just yet, but he now knows he can do the job.
"At first it was difficult. We tied and then we had three losses and you're like, 'Oh my God.' Even though you're the interim head coach you feel this huge responsibility," Williams said. "You go on a three-game winning streak and then another tie and obviously you feel a lot better for yourself and the team in terms of winning. It's been up and down but it's a great experience and definitely something I can take it with me."
Dylan Butler is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
