... and Jay Heaps is in

Legion officially announce Briggs' departure

Image credit: Birmingham Legion

Birmingham Legion has officially announced the departure of Mark Briggs, and additionally has named Jay Heaps as head coach. Notably, he wasn't named “interim” coach.

Heaps has been the President of the club since inception in USL Championship. His pedigree includes time as a US National Team player, and playet and coach in MLS. He's a very vocal and fiery presence on the sidelines, and nobody can question his level of devotion and caring for the club. While the interim tag was expected to be applied, the full-blown naming as head coach has many advantages. First is that any players that have been signed should feel like they're still getting what they signed up for; there's not as much fear that someone else is about to drop in and start bringing in “his players”. These are Jay's players as much as they were Briggs’ players. This speaks to a stability that the team needs as players are getting into camp this week. Second, I'm among the people that would call for Eric Avila to have a chance to be the head coach of the team. I think he's the right fit, and he's earned the chance. But Heaps stepping in gives Avila a buffer. The team can continue on the rebuilding path that started last year, without the additional pressure that would come from Avila being dropped into the role (the timing for Briggs leaving is pretty awful).

So, I like this move. Keep some continuity, and continue to get Avila ready for the step up. Preseason starts on January 31st against a good Nashvillr side that will already have a couple of preseason games under their belt. The focus can immediately turn to rounding out the roster.