When news broke over the weekend that the Colorado Rapids had appointed Robin Fraser as their ninth permanent head coach, questions immediately swirled as to the status of Conor Casey, former interim coach of the club.
Padraig Smith, EVP and general manager of the Rapids, clarified Casey’s standing Tuesday at Fraser’s introductory press conference.
“We were quite keen on Conor staying and talked to him about a number of different roles, both as an assistant here and then potentially as a head coach at the Switchbacks,” Smith said. “Conor has chosen to explore other opportunities and we completely respect that.”
Casey, who had been leading the charge on an interim basis since Anthony Hudson was dismissed in early May, went 7-7-4 in the role. He had spent two-plus previous seasons as an assistant with Colorado, helping bring the club out of a miserable 0-9-2 start to this season.
“Conor did a terrific job here,” Smith said. “We’re incredibly grateful for the role he played, stepping in when he did after a really tough [start to the] season and I think he’s someone who’s a legend at this club. To do what he did over the 20 games, 18 in the league, and really help steady the ship and turn things around, I think it was a remarkable job.”
Aside from his coaching role, Casey played for the Rapids from 2007-12, scoring 50 goals for the club to lead their record books. He also has MLS stops with Toronto FC, Philadelphia Union and Columbus Crew SC, retiring from the latter in 2016 with 71 all-time goals scored.
Time will tell where Casey lands next, but the club is clearly grateful for him steadying a turbulent campaign.
“He just did an absolutely magnificent job and I think we’re all incredibly grateful for that,” Smith said. “He put a smile back on the players’ faces, put them in a position to succeed and to kind of achieve what they have been able to since then. So, he’s just continued his legend status at the club."
