FRISCO — The past three coaches for FC Dallas were all given their first Major League Soccer head coaching jobs with the local club.
The trend continued as Schellas Hyndman was introduced as the team’s new coach in a news conference Tuesday at Pizza Hut Park.Hyndman, 58, follows Steve Morrow, Colin Clark and Mike Jeffries, MLS assistants promoted to head coach. None won a playoff series.Hyndman enters his first MLS job with 31 years as a head coach, albeit in the college ranks, suggesting that maybe he’ll be the guy to bring Dallas its first MLS Cup or its first playoff series win since 1999.He led SMU (368-98-38) and Eastern Illinois (98-24-11) to 30 NCAA playoff appearances, 11 quarterfinals and three Division I Final Fours.Hyndman’s college success offered him several opportunities to jump to MLS; however, the time was finally right."We all go through life in a comfort zone," he said. "I’ve been at Southern Methodist University for 24 years, and it’s been a very comfortable position for me. I could be there for the next 10 years. So why make that move into a situation where it’s going to be a bit more risky, it’s going to be a little bit more hype, rewards? "I think it’s because all of us that are competitors ... we all strive to do something special, and I think this is that opportunity to do something special."Hyndman spoke about "truths of the game" — about five attributes needed for a successful move forward — and about the potential for Dallas to play soccer in a beautiful possession style.Dallas (4-5-4) is third in the Western Conference and plays at New York at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. The club began the year in a three-man defensive alignment, but Hyndman might move to a four-man backline."I think, watching this team closely, they may find more success in a 4-4-2," he said. "I’m a strong believer in a 4-4-2 because of the width of the field, 75 yards; you have four people covering the defense instead of three. "I think they played well, but sometimes they gave up soft goals, and that could be because they don’t have enough people back there."Hyndman brought in former Real Salt Lake coach John Ellinger to serve as his first assistant and will retain Marco Ferruzzi, who served as interim coach, and goalkeeper coach Drew Keeshan.ONLINE: fcdallas.netTOBIAS XAVIER LOPEZ, 817-685-3868
