FRISCO - USL League One announced today that North Texas Soccer Club head coach Eric Quill was voted Coach of the Year for the inaugural season.
In his first head coaching position at the professional level, Quill, 41, led North Texas SC to the first-ever USL League One title as well as the regular season title, finishing 10 points ahead of second place Lansing Ignite.
“I’m flattered,” Quill said. “I always look at it as a staff award rather than a coach award. Our staff was amazing, everybody from medical to equipment manager to assistant coaches, everybody played their part in how successful we are. I share this award with everybody because it’s truly a team effort from our staff and organization. It’s a great honor.”
Quill received 53 percent of the vote to receive the award, with Greenville Triumph SC’s John Harkes finishing in second place with 29 percent and Lansing Ignite FC’s Nate Miller finishing in third place with 12 percent. Four coaches in total received votes for the award.
The 2019 USL League One Awards were voted on by team management. Voting was conducted following the conclusion of the 2019 League One regular season.
"This award emphasizes what a great fit Eric is for this team and organization," North Texas SC General Manager Matt Denny said. "He has managed so many variables while maintaining a positive locker room and high-level training environment. It’s a credit to his coaching ability and leadership skills and thoroughly deserved."
Earlier this year, Quill also earned distinction as the USL League One midseason Coach of the Year, as well the Coach of the Month for May and October.
North Texas SC won the League One title with a squad composed mostly of current and former FC Dallas Academy players with an average age of just 19.6 years old. In the final, North Texas defeated John Harkes’ Greenville Triumph SC 1-0 thanks to a goal from midfielder and Academy product Arturo Rodriguez.
“Everybody who wore the jersey this season bought in, and that’s a credit to the organization for how the Academy is run,” Quill added. “It was a fantastic environment this year from start to finish. I’m just super proud of the guys.”
