CARSON, CA - The Los Angeles Galaxy announced today that former professional soccer player and long-time coach Billy McNicol has been named an assistant coach with the club. McNicol, the latest addition to Steve Sampson's technical staff, will also be directing the Galaxy's reserve team in the yet-to-be named MLS developmental league that is slated to begin play this spring.
"We are pleased to add Billy to our technical staff," said Galaxy President and General Manager Doug Hamilton. "His vast coaching and playing experience at the professional level will be a great asset for our players and our club.
A native of Scotland, McNicol began his playing career in 1970 in the youth system of fabled club Glasgow Rangers, who signed him out of high school. While in his homeland, he won several caps with Scotland's U-18 national side.
"I am very pleased to have Billy as a part of my coaching staff," said Sampson. "He's one of the most experienced coaches in the United States. He has worked at the national team level, with the Federation at their coaching schools and developed many of the best young players that are now playing in MLS and for our national teams."
After five years at Rangers, he was sold to the San Antonio Thunder of the North American Soccer League. The city best known for the Alamo would be the first of four playing stops for him in the U.S. The forward also played for the Los Angeles Skyhawks of the American Soccer League (three seasons - earning ASL All-Star honors in 1978), and the Pittsburgh Spirit of the Major Indoor Soccer League (1979-82), before concluding his career with the San Jose Earthquakes of the NASL in 1983.
"It is certainly an honor and a privilege to be invited to join Steve Sampson's coaching staff on what I consider to be the best professional soccer club in the United States," McNicol said.
The 50-year-old's coaching resume is just as impressive. He has been a coach at various levels since taking over his first as the Director of Coaching for the Utah Youth Soccer Association in 1984. In 1989, he joined the national instructional staff at US Soccer, providing tutelage to several players, among them current Galaxy teammates Cobi Jones and Jovan Kirovski. He still fills that role for the Federation.
In 1996, McNicol assumed head coaching duties for the U.S Under-16 national team, fostering the growth of players including DaMarcus Beasley and Landon Donovan, who have gone on to star for the full national team.
In 1999, he assumed two important roles. The first was Program Director for the Mission Viejo Soccer Club - which he continued in until recently. Meanwhile, he also returned to Utah, this time as Technical Director for the Utah Blitzz - leading the club to two D3 National Championships, departing after the second title in 2004.
Los Angeles Galaxy 10th Season Celebration Packs are now on sale. For as little as just $37, fans can purchase tickets to the Galaxy's home opener against Real Salt Lake at The Home Depot Center and their first home game against CD Chivas USA. For more information, call the Galaxy Ticket Office toll free at 1-877-3GALAXY.
