The Houston Dynamo are currently operating without a head coach or an interim – at least in an official capacity.
The team has yet to name an interim coach and has decided to let assistant coaches Wade Barrett, Paul Rogers, and Paul Caffrey take the reigns for Thursday’s road game against FC Dallas. This will be the second game this season the Dynamo play without a head coach and are led by the coaching trio.
After Owen Coyle and the Dynamo mutually parted ways last Wednesday, Barrett took the lead when it came to talking to the press and in leading the training. At Tuesday’s training, Barrett was once again leading.
Barrett – who assisted on the first goal in Dynamo history – could be coaching for the vacant position and the former defender acknowledged as much after Tuesday's session.
“Of course there’s a little of that involved at the moment, but again, I’m trying to do the best job I can to prepare the team for the weekend,” Barrett said. “I know the president, I know the owners. They’re going to make the best decision that they can based on the information they have.”
General Manager and VP Matt Jordan declined to answer how many candidates, if any, had yet been contacted by the team, or if the Dynamo were considering Barrett as a potential interim – or permanent – head coach.
“We’re evaluating all different scenarios right now,” Jordan said. “Obviously, internally and externally. I think it’s fair to say we’re leaning more towards an interim situation at the moment, but we’re not going to limit ourselves.”
After Thursday’s Texas Derby, the Dynamo have a two-week gap before their next game.
The timeframe could give the Dynamo the time they need to fill the position, but Jordan insists the Dynamo will not limit themselves to any set timeline. He adds that the team's main focus is to “do our due diligence and make the right decision.”
The right decision could already be on the staff.
DaMarcus Beasley said the Dynamo players were impressed with how Barrett worked with them despite the short turnaround after Coyle’s departure. The left back went as far as to call Barrett head coach.
“We’re not thinking about who’s coming in. Wade’s our coach,” Beasley said. “The players are behind him 100 percent. Obviously, the coaches need to have the players on their side. I think Wade has that 100 percent.”
Barrett, a Dynamo assistant for seven seasons, is grateful for the way the players have responded to him.
“The players need direction,” Barrett said. “They need someone to help them get out from this spot.”
