The Orlando Sharks, Central Florida’s professional soccer team, today announced the promotion of current Assistant Coach and Manager of Team Operations Jake Dancy to the team’s head coach position for their inaugural season in the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL). Team President and BVC Sports & Entertainment Vice President Rich Bradley made the announcement in a press conference at the Canon Club at Amway Arena. The Sharks commence their first MISL season with the Opening Night Gala against the New Jersey Ironmen on October 26 at 7:35 p.m. at Amway Arena.
“Jake Dancy has earned this opportunity, and we are excited to reward his work thus far with BVC Sports & Entertainment with a much deserved opportunity to lead the Sharks on the field for our inaugural season,” Bradley said. “He has done a tremendous job building the team through the drafts and open tryouts, and he fits the standards we have sought in a head coach better than anyone else that we could have brought here. We believe the Sharks will have a lot of success in the MISL with Jake behind the bench.”
A former member of the U.S. National Soccer Team, and an early participant as a player in the formative years of Major League Soccer (MLS), Dancy completed his on-field athletic career as a defender for the Kansas City Comets of the MISL from 2000-05. He joined the Sharks in December 2006 as the Assistant Coach and Manager of Team Operations to oversee administration of soccer operations, including scouting of potential players and Sharks’ camps. He will continue those duties and be supported by one or more assistant coaches.
“It’s a thrill for me to continue my career in this way because coaching has always been one of my goals,” Dancy said. “I owe this opportunity to Rich and Sham [Maharaj, BVC President and the Sharks’ owner], who are confident giving me this responsibility. It really is exciting to be part of something new like this and I’m looking forward to showing what we can do in our first season.”
JAKE DANCY BIO
Jake Dancy, a native of Southern California, joined the Orlando Sharks in December 2006 as the Assistant Coach and Manager of Team Operations and is the team’s inaugural head coach. In those roles he oversees administration of soccer operations within the franchise. His responsibilities include administration of the team, scouting, and the Sharks’ camp programs.
Dancy most recently served as the Assistant General Manager of the Kansas City Brigade, a 2006 expansion team in the Arena Football League. He initiated early interest in the project and coordinated the awarding of the team to Kansas City.
Dancy has been involved in professional sports both as an executive and player for over a decade. Prior to being on staff with the Brigade, he was Vice President of Golden Peak Sports and Entertainment. While at Golden Peak Dancy oversaw daily operations, negotiated sponsorship deals, and recruited potential clients.
As a professional soccer player from 1997-2005, Dancy enjoyed both personal and team success with the Kansas City Comets of the MISL, the Kansas City Wizards, NY/NJ MetroStars, and New England Revolution, all of MLS. As a player, he was an active participant in the community as a guest speaker at elementary schools, camps, and charity events. Dancy resides in east Orlando with his wife, Marci, and their son, Mason.
