November 21 – Columbus Crew head coach, Wilfried Nancy, has been announced as the 2024 Sigi Schmid Major League Soccer (MLS) Coach of the Year, becoming the first Crew head coach to earn the accolade since the award’s namesake, Sigi Schmid, in 2008.
As the defending MLS Cup champion, Nancy entered the 2024 season with massive expectations, and to date, he has exceeded those expectations. Nancy led Columbus to a record-breaking regular season, setting club records in points (66) and goals scored (72), and tying the team record for wins (19).
“It is an honor to win this award because it represents the collective spirit and hard work of my coaches, support staff, players, and family,” said Nancy. “We accomplished many things together this past year. I’m proud of the group’s commitment to improving for ourselves, our teammates, our Club, and our fans. That’s why this award is possible. Thank you.”
Dee and Jimmy Haslam, owners of the Crew and the Cleveland Browns in the NFL were equally delighted saying: “Wilfried is an incredible coach and person, and it’s special to celebrate him and the team with this award, named after MLS legend and Crew Circle of Honor member Sigi Schmid. He has all the qualities you want in a leader, especially how he deeply cares about our players, coaches, staff, and fans. We appreciate Wilfried’s and the Club’s efforts this season and are excited about our potential in 2025.”
Under the direction of Nancy, the Crew have scored a league-best 139 regular-season goals since 2023, tied for the fifth-most in a two-season span in MLS history, and are the only MLS club to average two goals per game over the span. Twenty-one different players recorded a goal contribution for the Black & Gold this season, tied for the club’s single-season record (1998, 2012, 2017), and the club set a record with 18 different goal scorers during the campaign.
“Wilfried is more than deserving of the 2024 Sigi Schmid MLS Coach of the Year award for his leadership and passion for the Crew,” General Manager Issa Tall said. “It is a recognition of the on-pitch success during the past two seasons and a testament to the work and dedication of Wilfried and the entire staff. Our Club is proud of him, and we look forward to building upon the culture we’ve established.”
After getting bounced out of the play-offs by the New York Red Bulls in a shock result, losing on penalties in third game of their series, Nancy might be thinking the award was somewhat of a curse as the Coach of the Year award, rarely goes to the winner of MLS Cup.
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at moc.l1734905747labto1734905747ofdlr1734905747owedi1734905747sni@o1734905747fni1734905747