Dallas, Texas - FC Dallas President and General Manger Greg Elliott announced today that the club has named Steve Morrow, Brian Haynes and Marco Ferruzzi assistant coaches under Head Coach Colin Clarke for the 2005 season. Former assistant coach John Trask will not return as he has been named the head coach at the University of Illinois-Chicago. Per club policy, specific terms of the deals were not disclosed.
Morrow, 34, was originally hired by Dallas on Feb. 3, 2004 as an assistant coach. However, Morrow resigned from the position on May 24, 2004 due to personal reasons.
"I'm obviously delighted to be back here with FC Dallas," said Morrow. "A lot went on last year and as far as I'm concerned it's water under the bridge now. It didn't take very long for me to realize that I made the wrong decision and thankfully I was given the opportunity to take up right where I left off."
Before retiring from soccer at the conclusion of the 2003 season due to a neck injury, Morrow spent two seasons (2002-2003) as a defender with the Dallas Burn. Prior to joining the Burn in 2002, Morrow, who has 39 caps with the Northern Ireland National Team, spent the previous four years with Queens Park Rangers (QPR) in the first division in England. His stint with QPR followed a 10-year career with Arsenal of the Premiership, beginning his professional career with the Gunners at the age of 17. While with Arsenal, he was a mainstay in the lineup that won the FA Cup and the League Cup in 1993, the European Cup Winners Cup in 1995 and advanced to the finals of the Cup Winners Cup in 1996. Morrow scored the game-winning goal in the 1993 League Cup Final.
Haynes, 42, will begin his fifth year on the Dallas coaching staff. In his four-plus years as a player with Dallas, Haynes played in 77 regular season matches, scoring eight goals and six assists for 22 points. He was the fourth-leading scorer on the team in 1996 (4-3=11) and was honored with the 2000 league Humanitarian of the Year award for his extensive work in the community.
Ferruzzi, 34, played the past two seasons with the Minnesota Thunder of the A-League. The 5-9, 170-pound midfielder previously appeared in four seasons with the Richmond Kickers (A-League), serving as the team's captain as the Kickers reached the finals in 2002. While with Richmond, the San Antonio, Texas native played two seasons under current FC Dallas Head Coach Colin Clarke. Selected sixth overall in the 1997 MLS Supplemental Draft by the Tampa Bay Mutiny, Ferruzzi appeared in 19 matches with the Mutiny in 1997 and registered two assists. He played his collegiate soccer at the University of North Carolina for four seasons.
Prior to joining Dallas, Haynes played indoor for the Kansas City Attack and outdoor with the Orlando Lions, the Maryland Bays, the Colorado Foxes and won a championship with the Seattle Sounders in 1995.
FC Dallas Head Coach Colin Clarke on Steve Morrow and Brian Haynes:
"FC Dallas is thrilled to have two excellent soccer men returning to our staff in Steve and Brian. Both gentlemen bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to our soccer club that will be vital to our success next season."
Clarke on Marco Ferruzzi:
"Marco is someone who I know very well as he played for me with the Richmond Kickers of the A-League. He is a fresh face who comes in hungry, ambitious and eager to teach his soccer knowledge to our players. He is fluent in Spanish and is originally from San Antonio. We are very happy to have him join our coaching staff."
Clarke on the departure of John Trask:
"We are sad to see John go, but understand that this is the logical next step for his coaching career and wish him the best of luck in Chicago."
