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CAPE FEAR MEMORIAL BRIDGE CLOSURE: UPDATES, RESOURCES, AND CONTEXT

Hammerheads Coach to be Inducted into Hall of Fame

Hammerheads Head Coach David Irving
wilmingtonhammerheads.com
Hammerheads Head Coach David Irving

David Irving, head coach of the Wilmington Minor League Soccer team The Hammerheads, will be inducted into the United Soccer League’s Men’s Hall of Fame tomorrow.

WHQR’s Asia Brown reports that Irving is one of three inductees being honored at a ceremony in Florida.

Irving played against greats like Pele during his own career as a striker. But tomorrow, he will be recognized for his coaching.

Under Irving’s direction this year, The Hammerheads finished second in their division, which includes teams across North America and the Caribbean.

Irving says that a well-rounded style of coaching has led to the team’s recent success.

“[These players] don’t like the iron fist-type approach and being a taskmaster and stuff. You have to have rules. You have to have guidelines. You have to be flexible. You have to learn from the players. You got to listen to the players. You got to be their friend.”

Irving says that The Hammerheads’ performance will be hard to replicate with so many players looking to move on.

“Players that we had were a great bunch of lads. It’s gonna be difficult to bring some of them back. Some of them all have moved on to a higher level. But we have tried to be better than last year, and that’s gonna be difficult. We have budget restraints. The competition in our league is very tough. There’s no easy game. When April comes around, we better be ready. We better have a good team out there.”

Irving has been coaching the Hammerheads since 1999.

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