The loading bar for MLS NEXT Pro’s fifth season is just about complete.
Like the players using the league as a proving ground to move up in the world, their coaches tend to have the same goal, making change the only constant.
A record number of 15 new appointments, ranging from former MLS greats, former first-team coaches and returning interims are set to lead MLS NEXT Pro clubs in 2026.
Here’s a closer look at each gaffer starting a new journey in Matchweek 1:
Shavar Thomas
First up, the new kids on the block.
Expansion side CT United named Connecticut native Shavar Thomas as the man in charge of their maiden voyage.
Thomas, a mainstay in both MLS and the Jamaican men’s national team across his 10-year playing career, joins from FC Cincinnati 2, where he’s been an assistant since MLS NEXT Pro’s inaugural season in 2022.
“This is an incredible honor,” Thomas said at his announcement in December. “Connecticut is where my path in the U.S. began, and now I have the privilege to help build something new here. We’re going to create a disciplined, hardworking, fearless team that represents this state with pride. MLS NEXT Pro is just the start—we’re building toward something much bigger.”
Richard Dixon (interim)
A surprise shake-up in the Scenic City means a Chattanooga FC great will step in after the club announced a mutual split with former head coach Chris Nugent.
In 2020, Dixon made history as CFC's first-ever professional signing and ended his career third in the club's all-time appearance ranks with 46. Upon announcing his retirement from playing before the 2024 season, Dixon officially transitioned to his new chapter as part of the club's technical staff.
Dominik Wohlert
The defending champions weren't spared from change after Michael Bradley's promotion to the RBNY first team.
Coming in to lead RBNY II, Wolhert has been in the organization since 2022 as part of the club's first-team staff as an assistant. Hailing from Hiedelburg, Germany, Wolhert was a stalwart at Bundesliga's Hertha BSC, where he grew up playing in the academy and made appearances for the second team before serving on the other side of the touchline in scouting and analysis roles prior to crossing the Atlantic.
“I’m truly honored and thankful for this opportunity to become Head Coach for Red Bull New York II,” Wohlert said of the appointment. “We as a club have a strong identity and a proven pathway for young talents and I’m excited to build on that with energy, structure, and ambition.”
Sammy Castellanos
FC Cincinnati 2 named Castellanos their new head coach last month.
No stranger to the MLS ecosystem, Castellanos comes from the Chicago Fire FC Academy, where he served as a U-18 head coach for the last two seasons. Prior to his Chicago stint, Castellanos rose through the ranks at Red Bull New York and Orlando City SC.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of the FC Cincinnati organization,” Castellanos said at his announcement. “I’m energized by the city’s passion for the game and this club, and I'm excited to give back to the community by helping to develop the next generation of talent for FC Cincinnati. My family and I are looking forward to calling Cincinnati home, and I can't wait to get to work.”
Fanendo Adi
A face longtime MLS followers .
Adi, a two-time MLS Cup-winning striker, carried Designated Player star power for much of his career. Adi retired from playing in Minnesota in 2021 and returned to the North Star State as an assistant on the MNUFC2 staff in 2024.
“I am very thrilled and excited about the opportunity to lead as MNUFC2’s Head Coach,” Adi said of his new gig. “This player pathway at Minnesota United, and within MLS NEXT Pro as a whole, continues to show its importance and impact when it comes to the growth of young players, and this is a perfect space for me to use my past experience as a player to help these young men develop and thrive into becoming professional footballers. I am grateful for the club’s belief in my expertise and look forward to starting our season and getting to work.”
Paulo Nagamura
Another name longtime MLS fans know well, Nagamura is taking on the Tacoma Defiance in his latest chapter. In his 12-year playing career as a midfielder, the Brazilian won two MLS Cups and three U.S. Open Cups. Nagamura's post-playing career resume is headlined by leading the Houston Dynamo first team in 2022, with other stops as an assistant at Chicago Fire and Sporting Kansas City.
A bonus for Sounders fans, recently-retired midfielder João Paulo will begin his coaching journey, joining Nagamura's staff as an assistant.
“I’m very excited for the opportunity to join this organization and lead Tacoma Defiance,” said Nagamura. “The Sounders have a strong history of developing players and creating a clear pathway to the First Team, and that’s something I really believe in. I’m looking forward to working with João Paulo and the rest of my staff and players to help them grow and take the next steps in their careers. It’s a challenge I’m motivated by and proud to take on.”
Jose Silva
The interim tag is off! After caretaking ATL UTD 2 in the second half of 2025, the club named Silva as the man in charge, officially, in December.
“I am extremely grateful to Javier Peréz and Chris Henderson for their trust and the opportunity to continue with ATL UTD 2,” Silva said in the announcement. “The Academy continues to develop young players, and this opportunity to work with them through the second team while competing in MLS NEXT Pro is one that I have loved being part of and will continue to pursue.”
Kevin Sawchak
Outgoing head coach Gary Dicker will be succeeded by Sawchak, who served as interim heach coach for a stint in 2024.
There's no interim tag on him this time around as the club announced his promotion in January. Under Sawchak in 2024, CLFC posted a 8W-5L-5T record that guided them all the way to an Eastern Conference semifinal.
Jason Shackell
After 17 seasons playing as a decorated defender, mostly in the English Premier League and Championship, Shackell headed to the Lone Star State to take up a role in the Austin FC Academy as an assistant to the U-15s in 2021. Quickly promoted to head coach of the Austin U-16 setup, he's crossing over to the professional side for the first time as a coach.
“I’m delighted to step into this new role with Austin FC II and I’m grateful to the organization for their trust in me,” Shackell said in the announcement. “It’s a terrific opportunity and I can’t wait to get started next season.”
Pablo Moreira
Another promotion from within: Moreira takes charge of New England Revolution II in 2026 after two seasons as an assistant in the first-team setup, which included interim head-coaching reps to close out 2025.
In the 40-year-old Uruguayan's coaching journey, he was an assistant to the Portland Timbers' 2015 MLS Cup campaign and the Columbus Crew's 2020 MLS Cup and 2021 Campeones Cup titles.
“I am incredibly grateful to God for this opportunity to serve as head coach of Revolution II,” Moreira said of his new role. “I want to thank our owners and front office for trusting me to lead the second team, where I’m eager to help develop and nurture the plethora of talented players we have rising within our pathway.”
Fabian Sandoval
Sandoval, who was an LAFC2 assistant coach the two seasons, joined the club prior to their famous MLS expansion campaign in 2017 and helped lay the groundwork to grow the club's Academy operation.
"Fabian brings quality experience to LAFC2 and a deep understanding of the club’s standards and development pathway. After progressing through our Academy environment and serving as an assistant coach the past two seasons, he has delivered success at multiple levels and played an important role in advancing the club’s vision for LAFC2,” Los Angeles FC assistant GM Jordan Harvey said. “Fabian has a strong knowledge of the game and a proven ability to support both individual growth and team development. He’s earned the trust of our environment, and we’re confident our young players will benefit from his leadership as they take the next steps in their careers.
Jeremy Hurdle (interim)
Not as much of a face in a new place, but a new oppportiunity nonetheless. With former head coach Marcelo Santos earning the call-up to support the Houston Dynamo first team, Hurdle will be elevated from assistant to interim head coach of Dynamo 2 for a second time.
Jack Cassidy
Portland Timbers2 went for worldly experience when they tapped Cassidy in as the third coach of their MLS NEXT Pro era.
The Irish native was most recently a first-team assistant and head of individual development at Aalborg BK in Denmark. With prior stops in England, the UAE, and Sweden, he comes to Stumptown with lots of stated goals.
“I’m delighted to be joining the club as head coach of Timbers2. Throughout the process and my interactions with the staff, it was evident that this is a football club that puts people first,” Cassidy said at the time of his announcement. "Having worked across both the senior and development levels of the game, I’m passionate about helping players navigate the transition into senior football — a step that can be both exciting and challenging. My focus will be on creating an environment where players are pushed, supported, and given real clarity around the daily demands and expectations of senior football, enabling them to maximize their potential. I'm looking forward to the journey ahead, getting to work with the players and staff, whilst integrating into the club and the community with my family.”
Lee Tschantret
The Sporting Kansas City organization is refreshing things top-to-bottom in 2026, and elevating Tschantret from U-18 head coach headlines the MLS NEXT Pro part of their new agenda.
“We are excited for Lee to lead SKC II and provide the driving force of a critical part of our player development pathway,” SKC President of Soccer Operations & General Manager David Lee said. “His quality of work at the Academy has been outstanding and his familiarity with our up-and-coming talent will serve him well in his new role."
Rich Fagan
Last but not least, Whitecaps FC 2 announced Fagan will return as head coach on Tuesday. Fagan led WFC2 in their 2017 season. In addition to leading Whitecaps 2, Fagan will continue in his current role as the club's Academy technical director.
“Rich brings more than 15 years of experience working with young talent at our club,” said Axel Schuster, Whitecaps FC sporting director. “He understands our standards, our philosophies, and our development model. We have seen in recent years how our second team contributes to the success of our first team, and we look forward to Rich and the rest of our staff continuing to push players forward.”
