After 15 years as head coach of the Wilmington Hammerheads, David Irving has left the club and will no longer be involved in the day to day operation with the team. The press release said it was a mutual decision with Wilmington Hammerheads FC.
Irving, who was inducted into the USL Hall of Fame in 2011, became Wilmington’s head coach in the Hammerheads third season in 1998. Prior to that he had been the head coach of the indoor Carolina Vipers in 1994.
“David has been an integral figure in the soccer community in Wilmington for many years and had many successes,” said Wilmington Hammerheads FC General Manager Jason Arnold. “He has contributed so much to the Hammerheads and the city of Wilmington, and for that we are very grateful. We wish David all the best and much success in the future.”
Irving led the team into playoffs 10 of his 15 seasons as head coach, winning the championship in 2003 and nearly claiming it again in 2012. His personal successes have brought an international flair to Wilmington, helping to orchestrate friendly matches with teams from the United Kingdom and bringing top international and domestic players to the Hammerheads.
The first game after Irving’s departure, the Hammerheads dropped a 2-0 USL PRO decision to Sacramento Republic FC. It was the fifth consecutive loss for Wilmington, which does not have a victory since a 1-0 win over Rochester on July 19.
The team will be under the direction of Technical Director Carson Porter and General Manager Jason Arnold for the remainder of the USL PRO regular season. The search for a new head coach will begin following the season.