Jay Heaps to be Named New England Revolution Head Coach

The Boston Globe today is reporting that former New England Revolution defender Jay Heaps will be named as Revs head coach tomorrow. Heaps is a New England native, born in Nashua, New Hampshire. Heaps played in college for Duke and entered MLS when he was drafted 2nd in the 1999 MLS Superdraft by the Miami Fusion. He was named Rookie of the Year in 1999.  Heaps was traded to the Revolution in 2001 for Brian Dunseth.  During Heaps' Revs career he made 243 appearances until his retirement in 2009.  Heaps has 4 caps with US Mens National Team. Since then Heaps has been working for Morgan Stanley and as a commentator for the Revolution.

If you were expecting the Revs to make a big move (ok who really ever expects them to make a big  move?) you are pretty disappointed right now.  The first time I heard Heaps' name in the running I knew it was probably over... that it was just so ridiculous (not in the good way) they'd go for it.  We were expecting them to make a move for a coach with a lot of experience, from outside MLS or within, needless to say there are a lot veteran coaches available right now.  If they weren't going to go that route were quite frankly expecting Ralston.  The Revs are known for wanting to work with known quantities and Heaps is certainly one, but Heaps has absolutely no coaching experience whatsoever. We're not even sure he has his coaching license.  Yes you may start making the Jason Kries references now, and we've made them as well but in reference to Ralston who at least was getting experience and learning from a great coach.  RSL got lucky, with the track record of the Revs, I'm not sure that luck will rub off on us.



This brings up a recurring question that we have with the team and the way it's run, would the Krafts make a similar move if it were the Patriots?

Was this really the best choice for someone to turn the team around or just the cheapest and easiest to control?

The one thing we need to realize is that Heaps is unproven, he is an unknown entity, however we just brought in a former defender to replace a coach who was a former defender and was his  coach.  This is not encouraging when what this team needs most is a complete change in style and tactical thinking, an outsider with experience is what the team needs. The flip side is what if he is the next Jason Kries? I have no issue with Jay Heaps, and I honestly wish him the best and want to see him succeed.  If he succeeds we all succeed.  We know he has a firey temper and that could prove to be a huge asset if he learns how to use right in the locker room, or a huge problem.  What this all comes down to is that we just don't know what to expect when what really need and want right now is a solid vision for the future.