Richmond Kickers Appoint Brian Ownby Head Coach

The club promoted the former player to a permanent role after he served as interim head coach since June.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Soccer

Richmond Kickers Appoint Brian Ownby Head Coach

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The Richmond Kickers officially named Brian Ownby as the club's ninth head coach. Ownby takes on the permanent position following his successful tenure as interim head coach starting earlier this year.

Why it matters

The organization selected Ownby to guide the team as it navigates a shifting landscape within the USL. His appointment provides stable leadership for the club following his transition from a professional playing career.

Ownby brings significant experience to the role, including two USL Championship titles won as a player with Louisville City FC. His collegiate background includes 21 goals and 10 assists across 72 appearances.

The players

Brian Ownby

He is the new head coach of the Richmond Kickers and a former professional soccer player who represented the United States at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup.

Richmond Kickers

This professional soccer club based in Richmond competes in the USL and serves as a significant organization in the local sports landscape.

The details

The club removed the interim label from Ownby, who stepped into the leadership role on June 15, 2026. Prior to his coaching career, Ownby played professionally for the Richmond Kickers, Houston Dynamo, and Louisville City FC before retiring after the 2025 season.

Brian Ownby retired from professional soccer in 2025.
He began serving as interim head coach on June 15, 2026.
The organization named him permanent head coach on October 30, 2026.

Season Trajectory

Ownby's appointment signals a strategic shift for the Richmond Kickers as they aim to stabilize team performance. His transition from player to head coach positions the club to better navigate the competitive landscape of the USL Championship.

The permanent appointment allows the coaching staff to finalize strategic plans for the upcoming off-season. Supporters can anticipate a continued focus on professional-level tactics developed throughout Ownby's tenure as an interim leader.

The takeaway

The transition of a former professional player into a head coaching role highlights the growth of internal leadership pipelines within professional soccer. Fans can expect the new coach to lean on his experience from multiple USL Championship title-winning campaigns.