FRISCO, Texas (Jan. 21, 2022) – North Texas SC announced today that is has appointed Pa-Modou Kah as the second head coach in club history. Kah joins North Texas SC from the Canadian Premier League (CanPL) where he led Pacific FC to the 2021 title and was named CanPL Coach of the Year. Michel Garbini will maintain his role as an assistant coach and Vikram Virk, who worked alongside Kah at Pacific FC, will also join the staff as an assistant coach.
“I’m very excited to join North Texas SC and to continue my development as a coach,” Kah said. “I would like to thank André Zanotta and the Hunt family for this opportunity and for believing in me. I’m looking forward to lead this young group of men, contribute to their development and help them reach their goals.”
“We could not be more excited to be able to announce Pa-Modou Kah as our next Head Coach,” North Texas SC General Manager Matt Denny said. “As well as being an exceptional human being, Pa has a special presence and ability to bring out the best in players. I am confident he is the right person for this job as he understands and believes in the organization’s vision.”
Kah, 41, began his coaching career with Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 in 2016 before becoming an assistant coach with Whitecaps FC’s first team. In 2018, Kah moved on to FC Cincinnati, first as a scout before transitioning to an assistant coaching role for the club’s inaugural season in Major League Soccer. After two years in Cincinnati, Kah became head coach of Pacific FC in the Canadian Premier League. In his second season at the helm, Kah led the club to third place in the regular season and qualified for the 2021 playoffs. Pacific went on to defeat Cavalry FC 2-1 in the semifinals before winnings its first CanPL title with a 1-0 victory over Forge FC on Dec. 5. Kah earned CanPL Coach of the Year after the title-winning season.
Prior to his coaching career, Kah played professionally in Europe, Asia and North America. He began his career with Vålerenga in Norway before moving to Swedish side AIK. Kah spent the majority of his playing career in the Netherlands with Roda JC where he made 189 appearances and scored 12 goals. After his time with Roda, Kah played for various clubs in Qatar and Saudi Arabia before joining the Portland Timbers in MLS. Kah also played for Vancouver Whitecaps FC where he ended his playing career in 2016. Born in Banjul, The Gambia, Kah moved to Norway as a child and played for the Norwegian national team between 2001 and 2008, earning 10 caps and scoring one goal.
Kah holds a UEFA A coaching license as well as a U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) B license. He’s fluent in English, Norwegian, Dutch, Wolof, French, Arabic, Swedish and is conversational in Spanish.
Michel Garbini, 40, enters his fourth season as assistant coach with North Texas SC. Born in Vitória, Brazil, Garbini played three seasons for FC Dallas beginning in 2013. In total, he played 74 games for the club and accumulated 12 goals and 17 assists. Primarily a defensive midfielder for most of his career, Garbini got his start with hometown side Clube Atlético Mineiro in Brazil's top-flight before moving to Standard Liège in Belgium. As a coach, Garbini helped North Texas SC to the inaugural USL League One title in 2019 and holds a USSF B coaching license.
Vikram Virk, 27, joins North Texas SC from Pacific FC where he was First Team Assistant Coach under Kah. Prior to his time with Pacific, Virk worked with Victoria Highlanders FC initially as an assistant coach for two years before becoming Head Coach for the 2020 season. He’s previously worked as Technical Director for Calgary Chinook SC. Virk holds a Canada Soccer Association (CSA) C License.
