Riverhounds Announce Reorganization to Ring in 2010
Klein Elevated to Technical Director, Announces Justin Evans as Head Coach
In an effort to further develop the Pittsburgh Riverhounds Professional Soccer Club structure, the Club has announced that Gene Klein will immediately take the position of Technical Director, overseeing all things soccer for the Pro Team and Youth Academy. As his first order of business, Klein will announce Justin Evans as Head Coach of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds Professional Team. These key moves are made with the intent to solidify their preparedness to enter a new direction as a professional level soccer club in the United States.
According to the Club’s Manager and Player, Jason Kutney, this is integral for the development of the Riverhounds. “As we continue to evolve as a Club, we must address the needs of our community as the local professional team should. Gene’s experience, knowledge, and authority in this position will catalyze this process”. Playing under Gene Klein as a youth and pro, and alongside Justin Evans as a pro, Kutney feels as though the team chemistry is in place. “I played for Gene overseas as a youth, with various ODP teams and more recently, as a USL Pro player. I know Justin as a player and assistant coach. With our roles aligned accordingly, it will be a powerful engine.”
Klein, a nationally licensed and recognized coach at the Youth and Professional levels, has proven his worth time and again to the soccer world of Western Pennsylvania. His experience and authority throughout the full pyramid of US Soccer makes him the clear choice as the Club’s leader into the next phase of their developmental plan. As Technical Director, Klein will be instrumental in overseeing the First Team as well as The Riverhounds Academy. Both entities will report directly to Klein, who will ensure the highest levels of professional standards are maintained in order to achieve new heights.
Said Klein of the appointment as Technical Director, “Although I will really miss being on the bench, I am grateful for this opportunity to lead the soccer operations of the Riverhounds. This will allow me to focus on player development from the youth level to the pro, which is very exciting.”
Involved with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds since their inception in 1999, Klein has been instrumental in the development of Professional soccer in Western Pa. He has served as the First Team’s Head Coach since 2005 and has helped in directing the organization through its various changes in ownership. When the Riverhounds were purchased by the Greentree SportsPlex in 2006, Klein joined Greentree SportsPlex CEO Jason Kutney in an effort to develop a sustainable youth system that could lead the organization into the future. The Riverhounds Academy has since grown into an elite training program, working with just under 500 players in various locations of Western Pennsylvania.
In naming Justin Evans as Head Coach of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Gene Klein honors the Riverhounds’ first-ever draft pick in 1999 with a position he has been groomed for since signing as a Player / Assistant Coach in 2008. “This transition will be very easy because Justin Evans has agreed to accept the head coaching position. Justin’s extensive experience in professional soccer has prepared him well for this situation and he will do a terrific job. He and I have a long history and I look forward to working with him to build the organization.”
Arguably Western Pennsylvania’s most successful youth soccer product, Evans – a native of Peters Township - retires from his playing career to take the helm for the First Team, under Klein’s direction. Klein and Evans plan to create a system that promotes First Team growth and builds a consistent, winning program by attracting top professional players. Evans will put to use his years of experience at all levels of professional soccer in the United States, including time with the US Men’s National Team, MLS, USL, and MISL as well as stints in the Polish First and Second Division
"First of all, I would like to thank the Riverhounds Organization for giving me the opportunity to coach professional soccer. Being able to coach in my hometown means a lot to me. I am ready for the challenge of bringing an exciting brand of winning soccer to the fans here in Pittsburgh. I look forward to bringing my extensive soccer knowledge to the players on the First Team, as well as the future stars of tomorrow in Western Pennsylvania."
