DALTON, Ga. (Jan. 28, 2019)—Today, Dalton’s USL League Two team, officially unveiled as Dalton Red Wolves SC, announced Drew Courtney as the first ever head coach for the club’s inaugural season. Having served as head coach for Bryan College Men’s Soccer Program for five seasons, Courtney brings more than 12 years of coaching experience to Dalton, including previous experience in USL League Two.
“The process of finding a head coach for Dalton was a top priority for us,” said team owner Bob Martino. “Drew has the experience, the vision and a shared understanding of the vitality of the “Path2Pro” philosophy. I have no doubt that under his leadership, we will be able to build and deliver a quality product for our region.”
During his five-year stint with Bryan College, he was a recipient of two top 10 NAIA National Rankings and garnered a 72% win average over his five seasons. In 2015, his team claimed the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Championship while he was named AAC Coach of the Year. Under his leadership, the program produced 25 First Team AAC All Conference players, one AAC Golden Boot winner, four AAC Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year honors and four NAIA All-America Honors. During his five seasons, Courtney coached five players who have signed professional contracts.
From 2012-2014, Courtney served as the head coach for USL League Two side Mississippi Brilla of the Deep South Division. During his two seasons with Brilla, Courtney coached and mentored ten players who have signed professional contracts.
“I am really excited to be joining the Red Wolves as the League Two Head Coach,” said Courtney. “Having a clear path for players to reach the professional level is something I dreamed of as a kid in Chattanooga, and now I have the opportunity to help a new generation achieve that. I am very thankful to Bob and Tim for the opportunity to lead this team, and I look forward to our first season in a few short months.”
The team became the seventh club to join USL League Two ahead of the 2019 season and is an affiliate of USL League One Founding Member Chattanooga Red Wolves SC.
Tryouts for the team will be held on Saturday, Feb. 16 at Dalton’s Broaddus-Durkan Complex (310 Smith Industrial Blvd.) from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The call back session will be from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Registration fee is $50. To register, visit chattredwolves.com/dalton-tryouts.
The Dalton Red Wolves will begin play in May 2019. Schedule, ticket and additional information will be released in the coming weeks. To stay up-to-date with Dalton Red Wolves SC news, visit chattredwolves.com/Dalton or follow Dalton Red Wolves SC on social media: @DaltonRedwolves on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
About USL League Two
A part of United Soccer Leagues, LLC, which also operates USL Championship, the new USL League One and Super Y League, USL League Two offers a summer platform for aspiring professionals across the United States and Canada.
More than 70 percent of all MLS SuperDraft selections since 2010 have USL League Two experience, including a total of 61 alumni chosen in 2019. Among the many players to have competed in USL League Two before making their professional debuts include Werder Bremen’s Josh Sargent, Newcastle United FC defender DeAndre Yedlin, Atlanta United goalkeeper Brad Guzan and Columbus Crew forward Gyasi Zardes.
