By Jon Johnson
Connor McGoldrick was a defender as a soccer player in college, but his mindset will be different as the new head coach of the Dothan United Dragons.
“I would like to play attacking futbol,” McGoldrick said without hesitation. “The fans want to see goals … they want to see exciting things happen. I want to play the kind of futbol that gets the fans excited.”
After serving as an assistant this past season for Dothan United, McGoldrick was named the new head coach this week by club officials.
He steps into the role vacated by Ricky Davey, who led the team last year to a 9-2-2 record and South Central Division crown of the Southern Conference in the United Soccer League Two.
Davey, after one season as head coach, was promoted to sporting director for Dothan United and will work closely with McGoldrick in developing a roster, staff and game planning.
“Ricky is one of the best coaches I have worked for,” McGoldrick said. “The fact that he’s above me, whenever I need help with something I can reach out to him.”
McGoldrick, a native of Johnston, Scotland, was a standout player at Bryant & Stratton College in Syracuse, N.Y., before going into the coaching ranks.
He’s presently in his third year as an assistant men’s soccer coach at Le Moyne College in upstate New York.
“Once I stopped playing, I always felt like I had a good understanding of the game and had a good upbringing of it,” McGoldrick said of going into coaching. “When I was watching college players, I felt like I saw things that maybe they didn’t see.
“I felt like I could help them develop themselves. I felt like if I could pass on any sort of wisdom or insight, then I should.”
McGoldrick will be the third head coach for Dothan United as it goes into its fourth year of operation. Carl Reynolds was head coach the first two years followed by Davey, who is in his first season as head men’s soccer coach at Campbell (N.C.) University along with his sporting director duties with the Dragons.
Davey is excited to see McGoldrick get the opportunity.
“He was my number one recommendation, but at the same time, I think everyone came to the consensus that it made a lot of sense and he’s more than ready,” Davey said. “I’m excited to help him in his journey and to help him build out his roster and his staff, and lend an ear. I think sometimes it can be lonely as a head coach and you need that voice to help you through some certain things.
“With our relationship being really strong in being able to be honest with each other even in the hardest of times, I think it will be a real smooth transition.”
Davey believes having a familiar face leading the Dragons is extremely important. It’s not unusual for coaches to move around often on this level of soccer.
“To be honest, I think the continuity piece is huge and it’s difficult within the USL2 structure,” Davey said. “I think he’s the perfect candidate in the sense that he was heavily involved in every aspect of the program last season.
“He was an amazing assistant for me and a great friend. He’s great with people and I think guys will love playing for him. He understands the recruiting process and understands everything about being the Dothan United head coach. There’s lots that comes with that.”
McGoldrick didn’t hesitate to throw his hat in the ring as a candidate for the head coaching job once learning from Davey of the opening.
“He mentioned to me that he would still like to be involved and obviously that sporting director job came up for him and he said he would like to put me up for the coaching job,” McGoldrick said.
After interviewing for the opening with Dothan United president and co-owner Steve Donner and general manager Aaron McCreight, it didn’t take long for a decision to be made.
“Obviously I was honored to be the third head coach in Dothan’s history,” McGoldrick said. “Secondly, I just can’t wait to get going. I’d like to show my appreciation to Aaron and Steve.
“I’m finishing off the college season at Le Moyne and I’ve already started the recruiting process of reaching out to guys and will start putting my staff together as well.”
McGoldrick expects some of the players from last season to be back on the roster.
“It will be a mix,” McGoldrick said. “There are a few guys who I know want to come back and I would like to have back.”
McGoldrick is eager to return to the Circle City, a place he knew little about until last season.
“The only reason I had heard of Dothan is because I was watching some USL2 games and Dothan was playing,” McGoldrick said before being hired by Davey to join the staff.
“The Southern hospitality is a real thing. That was my first time experiencing it. I’ve only really lived in New York (in the United States) and it’s very different up here.
“Everybody (in Dothan) is really friendly and generous … inviting you into their homes and making sure you are doing OK.”
Davey is confident McGoldrick will flourish in his new coaching role and the two will continue working well together.
“He understands the game of futbol incredibly well,” Davey said. “I think it’s a real good opportunity to really develop the soccer side of things within the club, but also provide continuity to players, to fans, to the community.
“It will be shaped a little differently. I think we can do some better things with a better structure, but at the same time provide familiar faces that they can come and support.”
