November 9, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) News Release
TAMPA, Fla. – Memphis 901 FC’s Ben Pirmann was on Wednesday named the 2022 USL Championship Coach of the Year, honoring a campaign in which he led the side to its best record and finish in the USL Championship’s regular season and to its first postseason victory in 901 FC’s fourth season in the league.
Appointed as interim Head Coach late in the 2020 regular season, Pirmann has led the ascent of 901 FC to become a contender in the Championship’s Eastern Conference since his permanent appointment to the position prior to the start of the 2021 campaign. This season, Memphis finished second in the Eastern Conference on 68 points, earning 21 victories. The side also ranked third in the league’s regular season with 67 goals while conceding only 33 times, tied for fifth-fewest in the league, standing as one of the most well-rounded squads in the league.
“It’s very humbling to earn this award, especially with so many top coaches in the league,” said Pirmann. “This is a team award, and I am so grateful for these players to perform the way they did day in and day out. There were so many coaches that deserved this award from [San Antonio FC’s] Alen [Marcina] and [Louisville City FC’s] Danny [Cruz] through to [the Tampa Bay Rowdies’] Neill [Collins] and [Detroit City FC’s] Trevor [James] as well. I appreciate the honor but it’s always down to the team and what we’ve been able to accomplish as a unit.”
Pirmann’s squad underwent numerous changes last offseason, including the departure of two 2021 Championship All-League selections. The new arrivals quickly coalesced, however, with forward and Tennessee native Phillip Goodrum setting a club record with 21 regular-season goals to finish second in the Golden Boot race while midfielder Aaron Molloy recorded a club single-season best 10 assists. Both were voted to the Championship’s All-League First Team, while attacking midfielder Jeremy Kelly earned the Championship’s Player of the Month award in May as another stellar new signing for the club.
The individual success Memphis’ players delivered this season was aided by the structure Pirmann implemented, making 901 FC a team that was one of the most entertaining to watch in the league on top of its success.
“Balance is the key word in our coaching philosophy,” said Pirmann. “We want to be dominant in and out of possession, as well as being accountable in the transition moments. We believed in our…