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Force names Anglin as head coach
Assistant Coach Tony Anglin was promoted to head coach of the Colorado Force. (Photo Courtesy Colorado Force)
Tony Anglin didn’t stay an assistant coach for long.
On Wednesday, the Colorado Force announced that Anglin would take over as head coach, replacing Craig Deacon.
“I am absolutely honored and delighted to be asked to head up the coaching staff and to succeed Craig Deacon as head coach of the Colorado Force,” Anglin said. “Having worked with the organization and especially (Force owner) Amy Snider over last three months, I have grown to be very passionate about where we can take the organization both on and off the field in the near future and in the long term.”
Anglin’s Credentials: A native of England, Anglin was the W-League Coach of the Year in 2008 when he led the Atlanta Silverbacks to the Eastern Conference Finals. He was also head coach for the Chicago Red Eleven in 2009, taking that side to the playoffs.
Anglin’s coaching background dates to 1991, when he served as coach and youth development officer for Burnham FC in England. He played for 19 years at the professional and semi-professional levels in England before entering the coaching ranks. Anglin recently coached at the W-League Scouting Combine, where W-League players were evaluated by the Women’s Professional Soccer league. That’s where Anglin met Deacon, leading to Deacon’s decision to recruit Anglin to the Force coaching staff.
“He is a tremendous coach,” said Deacon, who stepped down after six seasons. “He has a wealth of experience and history within the women’s game and the Force is very lucky to obtain his services.”
Departure Prompt: Deacon said he opted to turn over the Force reins to Anglin so he could focus on his multiple other soccer-related roles, including technical director for the new Colorado Storm Academy FC division, coaching for the Colorado Rapids Academy, and ownership of the Fort Collins-based Core Soccer Academy.
”I want to be able to focus more on some of my businesses and programs, which was part of why I recruited Tony,” Deacon said. “That was the vision of bringing Tony here. I will continue to be around, but I need to pass it on to someone who will be able to give it the necessary time it needs.”
Deacon’s six seasons with the Force included a playoff appearance in 2009. Three of Deacon’s Force players from the 2009 squad were also drafted into the WPS before this season.
”We have been very fortunate to have excellent coaching for the Force over the past six years with Craig; his influence on the program has resulted in a playoff-level team,” said Force owner Snider. “He (Anglin) brings this experience to our organization and will take the team to a new level of competition and professionalism. We are very fortunate to have him. He has a long-term vision for the women’s game, he’s a great collaborator, and we’re very excited for the opportunities he will create for our players.”
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