Trey Knox Named As New Head Coach

FC Birmingham today named Trey Knox as its new head coach of the semi-pro team effective immediately.  Interim head coach Carlos Mercado, who took over the team midway through the Fall season and led the team to a first-place finish in the regular season and 2nd place finish in the playoffs, will join Knox’s staff as his lead assistant coach and goalkeeper coach Robert Perkins will remain on as a 2nd assistant coach.

Knox’s soccer resume is impressive having begun gaining valuable experience in Europe during his junior year of high school by spending a summer training at FC Utrecht Youth Academy in the Dutch Eredivisie.  From there, he played three years collegiately at the University of Alabama at Huntsville and then went on to play with several semi-pro teams including the Birmingham Saints, Clarksville Gunners, and Tennessee Rhythm.  Knox moved to Birmingham in the early 2000s and began his coaching career at Birmingham United Soccer Club where he was the men’s assistant director of coaching. He played an integral role in the club’s growth as well as in the development of players like Chris Richards (Hoffenheim, German Bundesliga), Tanner Tessmann (Venezia, Italian Serie A), Brandon Servania (FC Dallas, MLS), and Stephen Payne (Portimonense SC, Portuguese Primeira Liga) who played under him and are now part of the young crop of US players making a name for themselves in the professional leagues of Europe.  Knox also spent time as the men’s director of coaching at Hoover Soccer Club and holds his National C Coaching License from the US Soccer Federation.

FC Birmingham owner Doug Walk sees Knox as an important addition to the club and a great hire to lead the club moving forward.  “Coach Knox’s playing experience combined with his ability to develop young talent is what makes him stand out to me. I am excited to have him come aboard to lead this special group of players and coaches!”

Knox will have a major role in continuing to grow the FC Birmingham Youth Academy which quickly grew in its inaugural season to eight teams and 130 players this past Fall season.

“I’m excited and grateful to be joining such a great organization,” Knox said.  “I’m looking forward to the challenge of coaching such high-level players and developing an attractive brand of attacking football.”   

Tryouts for the semi-pro team will be Saturday, January 15th through Sunday, January 16th at Carver High School (Register Here).  There will be two sessions on Saturday and an invitation-only session on Sunday.  Players can sign up for tryouts at fcbirmingham.com/tryouts and are encouraged to do so in advance of the upcoming sessions.  

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Welcome, Coach Trey Knox!!!