The Chicago Fire announced today that longtime Fire assistant coach Denis Hamlett has signed a multi-year deal to be the new head coach for the team. He will be the fourth coach in the Fire's 11-year history.
Hamlett, 39, a member of the Chicago Fire coaching staff since the club's inaugural 1998 campaign, will return to Chicago for his eleventh season on the Fire bench. Hamlett has held the position of Fire top assistant coach since the 2001 season, while also serving as Community Relations Department liaison. With Hamlett's guidance, the Fire has won the 1998 MLS Cup, four Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cups (1998, 2000, 2003, 2006), four Conference championships (1998, 2000, 2001, 2003), as well as the MLS Supporters Shield (2003). Most recently, Hamlett helped the "Men in Red" reach the Eastern Conference Championship game through the 2007 MLS Cup Playoffs.
"When we deliberated on who should be the next head coach for the Chicago Fire, we ultimately came to the decision that Denis was the top candidate. I am confident that he possesses the knowledge, skill set and passion necessary to inspire and lead our team to future success - a future that includes winning," said Andrew Hauptman, owner, Chicago Fire.
"I've had the privilege of working with Denis for the past three seasons," said Fire President and General Manager John Guppy. "I have observed first hand his tremendous talents as a coach, as well as his unwavering commitment and passion for the Chicago Fire. This rare combination of qualities makes Denis a very special individual, and the person I believe will lead the Fire to future championships."
"I greatly appreciate the organization giving me the opportunity to be head coach of the Fire, and I am thrilled to continue to be part of this team as it enters a new and exciting chapter in Fire history," said Hamlett. "I also want to ensure fans that I promise to do everything in my power to bring another championship to Chicago."
The 12th overall selection in the inaugural 1996 MLS Draft, Hamlett enjoyed a stellar campaign in the League's first season, starting 31 of the Colorado Rapids' 32 contests en route to being named the team's 1996 BIC Tough Defender of the Year. Prior to joining Colorado, Hamlett was an All-Star for the Continental Indoor Soccer League's (CISL) Anaheim Splash, whom he played for during their 1994-95 seasons.
Hamlett started his professional soccer career in 1992, splitting his time between the indoor and outdoor seasons for two years for the National Professional Soccer League's (NPSL) Harrisburg Heat and the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers of the American Professional Soccer League (APSL, now USL First Division). Hamlett previously played collegiate soccer and graduated from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA, where he earned All-Colonial Athletic Association and All-Region accolades during his three seasons of play.
The bilingual Hamlett, who moved to the United States from Costa Rica when he was 10 years old, currently resides in Chicago with his wife Jackie.
