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Austin FC Hires Jim Curtin but He Will Start After the 2026 Season

The hire sets up a long-term rebuild that hinges on finding a sporting director to align roster strategy with Curtin.

Overview

  • Austin FC announced Monday that Jim Curtin will be its next head coach but agreed he will not assume duties until after the 2026 MLS season.
  • Davy Arnaud will remain interim coach through the end of 2026 as the club tries to stabilize results and prepare to resume play on July 22 with a home match against the Seattle Sounders.
  • Austin still needs to fill the sporting director role and says it will seek a candidate who can work directly with Curtin and influence summer roster and transfer decisions.
  • Curtin arrives with an 11-year MLS track record that includes two Coach of the Year awards, the 2020 Supporters' Shield, multiple playoff runs, and plans to lead Austin starting in the 2027 14-game 'sprint' season.
  • Curtin asked to delay his start for family reasons and a clean onboarding, which leaves the club to manage short-term challenges such as recent injuries to key players and a roster overhaul before his arrival.