Craig Harrington is a professional soccer coach who served as the second head coach in the history of the Utah Royals FC. According to a club announcement from February 7, 2020, Harrington was hired to lead the franchise following his time as the first assistant coach for the Chicago Red Stars. During his tenure in Chicago, Harrington helped guide the team to back-to-back appearances in the National Women’s Soccer League Playoffs, including a 2019 season where the club finished as runners-up. While in Chicago, the team achieved a record of 23-12-13, and forward Sam Kerr earned consecutive Golden Boot awards and was named the 2019 NWSL Most Valuable Player.
Harrington’s professional background includes significant experience in both international and domestic soccer development. Before joining the Royals, he served as the Technical Director and Head Coach for the Turks and Caicos Men’s National Team, where he assisted the squad in reaching its highest-ever FIFA Ranking after a jump of 27 spots in five months. His coaching career began in 2010 with the LA Galaxy Academy. As the head coach of the U-16 squad, Harrington led the team to consecutive US Soccer Development SoCal Division Titles. He was also part of the technical staff for the Major League Soccer side during its consecutive MLS Cup victories in 2011 and 2012.
Upon his arrival in Utah, Harrington aimed to build a holistic vision for the club. In a statement from February 2020, Harrington noted his desire to repay the faith placed in him by the club's leadership through his vision for the future. The hiring committee selected him due to his background in development and his ability to align with the organizational identity sought by General Manager Stephanie Lee. His coaching staff for the 2020 season included Louis Lancaster and Caitlin Young, who were hired to assist in establishing a development pathway for the club.
Harrington's tenure with the Royals was notably brief due to external circumstances. According to reports from November 9, 2020, the club officially terminated his contract. His time as head coach was limited to coaching only five games because of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the competition schedule. During the NWSL Fall Series in September 2020, Harrington was placed on a leave of absence from team activities. The club did not confirm the specific reason for his discipline at that time, though reports from The Equalizer indicated the situation involved inappropriate comments to fellow staff members. Following his departure, Amy LePeilbet was named interim head coach to lead the team.
What this means for Roy
For Roy residents following professional soccer, Harrington's tenure represents a period of transition for the Utah Royals FC. His focus on development and his rapid departure due to pandemic restrictions and internal disciplinary issues shaped the club's direction leading into the following seasons of the National Women's Soccer League.
