May 20th, 2008 . 2:19 pm . By: Buzz Carrick

We’ll obviously FC Dallas has a coaching opening.  So let’s survey the field of candidates and put them in some semblance of an order that they are most likely.  I’m gonna add two at the bottom I would like to see interviewed that I bet won’t be.

Probable Candidates

Schellas Hyndman – The Owner Favorite: Offered the job on three previous occasions and keeps turning it down.  Always has great talent at SMU, never wins the big one.  Would his tough guy persona go over with pro players?  If he’ll take the job it’s his to have.  Did he finally say yes and is that the reason Morrow is out?  The one thing that makes me think it’s not him this time is the team he has at SMU this year may be his best shot yet at a title.  Our sources say the FCD Technical Director job is sitting open waiting for him when he wants it, perhaps after this next NCAA season.

Oscar Pareja – The Fan Favorite: Mister FCD and the player every fans wants to coach.  Withdrew his name from the pool last time as he felt he wasn’t experienced enough.  Knows these players and is respected by them, and everyone else in MLS for that matter.  Class player, class guy, tons of heart, and is honest and open.  Left for the U17 opportunity and because he wasn’t on the same page as Morrow.  Is he still to close to what is happening now having played for Clarke and coached with Morrow?  Is that a clean enough break?  This is the coach they can afford and who would take the job.  Did his leaving burn any bridges?

Hugo Sanchez – Mexico’s Ex:  Former FC Dallas player with an international reputation and name.  He certainly would be a drastic change and is currently available.  Has had success coaching Mexican clubs and the Mexican National side apart from not beating the USA.  Would cost a bunch more cash than Dallas has ever spent on a coach.  If you want to make a splash and sell some tickets, then this is your guy.

Dave Dir – Former Dallas Burn Coach: He’s been around this town for some time as well as working for the US as an assistant coach to Thomas Rongen.  He certainly know the team and the franchise since he’s been doing color TV commentary.  Had a five year run as the Dallas Burn head man under Billy Hicks and then Andy Swift.  He played a style conducive to Texas, used a fair number of Hispanic players including the best name in franchise lore, and took the team deeper than any other coach into the playoffs.  Yet why has he never been a coaching candidate anywhere else?

Richie Williams – Former MLS Player: A Bruce Arena disciple, they tend to get hired a lot.  A candidate the last time this job was open.  He’s been an assistant coach a while in New York and has led a MLS team as an interim coach.  Tough as heck player with game smarts, that’s the kid of player who usually makes a good coach.  Might not be well known to younger players, but would be bring a tough as heck mentality to any team.

Bruce Arena – The Boss: Yes he just said he wants to come back to MLS.  But FCD is one of the lowest paying head coaching jobs in MLS and Bruce is not a fan of the Lone Star State so don’t get your hopes up.  Didn’t do all that well toward the end of the US job and with the Red Bulls but is still respected in the soccer world.  Would certainly commend the players attention with his no-nonsense in your face approach.

Jeff Agoos – The Prodigal Son: Won a ton of rings as a player in MLS and a vast number of caps with the US team.  Currently has a job with the Red Bulls as their sporting director.  A native Texan would he be interested in returning home? Does he have an interest in coaching?  Probably doesn’t know very much about the FCD current team, which may or may not be a good thing.

Marco Ferruzzi – The One You Know: Four years experience as an assistant coach.  Knows this team and it’s players.  Has played in MLS and USL-1 and joined Colin Clarke’s staff after having played for Clarke in USL.  Would HSG go to a current assistant for the third straight time.  Speaks Italian and some Spanish.  San Antonio native.

Buzz’s Bonus Candidates

Here’s two names I’d like to see on the list that likely won’t be.

Jay Vidovich – Wake Forest Head Coach: The current national champs head coach, but it’s not so much the winning that impresses it’s the fact his college teams are some of the most advanced tactically I’ve ever seen.  Wake players have fantastic grounding in the basic play of the game and can operate at a MLS tactical level very quickly.  Probably makes more at Wake than he would with FCD.  Would he give that up for less job security to coach at a higher level?

Tim Vom Steeg – UC Santa Barbara Head Coach: Won a title at a small school and one that can only be described as hard to recruit for.  Twice National Coach of the Year.  Has a reputation for finding diamonds in the rough and turning them into solid players with teams that are greater than the sum of their parts.  Again he has a ton of security at UCSB would he accept the challenge? 

So there’s a short list.  We’ll let you know if and when we hear of actual interviews.  Who did we leave off and who do you want to get the job?

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