The introduction confirms Monday’s report that the Revs chose Heaps after an extensive search for the right candidate to replace longtime boss Steve Nicol. The 35-year-old Heaps retired from playing in 2009 and has worked as an analyst on the team’s television broadcasts since then.
His lack of coaching experience did not deter Revolution executives from picking someone they thought was the right man — at the right moment — for the job.
“As we began the search for our new coach, we had a strong idea about the qualities we were looking for in our next head coach,” Revolution President Brian Bilello said in a press release. “As we went through a comprehensive search and spoke with candidates with a variety of backgrounds and experiences, Jay stood out with his vision for the team, his desire to move the club into the future and for his positive attitude about impacting change.
“Coupled with everything we already knew about him personally and his competitive traits we’ve always admired and respected, he emerged as our clear favorite and number one choice as our next head coach.”
Heaps faces the immediate challenge of improving a team that had the worst season in the club’s 16-year history.
See the press conference introducing Jay Heaps as head coach of the New England Revolution below, via Youtube.
Photo via Flickr/nerevolution
