Memphis-Native Returns Home to Lead New Era for Club
Memphis, Tenn. – Memphis 901 FC President Craig Unger announced today the club has appointed experienced soccer leader Jay Mims to the newly created position of Chief Operations Officer for the organization. In his new role, Mims will oversee the day-to-day operations of the club including marketing, sales, and team operations.
A Memphis native, Mims has a proven track record in building clubs and most recently served as the head coach of Union Omaha in USL League One. A prominent figure in the Omaha soccer community for over 20 years, he was hired as Union Omaha’s first head coach before the 2020 season and led a newly assembled team to a runner-up finish in the USL League One Final. After earning the league’s best regular season record in 2021, Mims took the team back to the USL League One Final to win the club’s first title and was named the USL League One Coach of the Year. Off the field, Union Omaha consistently led the league in both overall and average attendance during Mims’ tenure.
“We are excited to welcome Jay back home to Memphis and to 901 FC,” said 901 FC President Craig Unger. “Jay is known as a team builder, and we look forward to having him come in and lead the front office as we look to reinvigorate the club and write the next chapters of 901 FC.”
“I am very humbled and honored for this unique opportunity to be able to come back home and help engage a community through professional soccer,” Mims said. “There is a good foundation here and I’m excited to help build an incredible future for Memphis 901 FC on and off the field.”
After his playing career, Mims began coaching in 2001 as an assistant for the Creighton University Bluejays where the program was a dominant force in the Missouri Valley Conference and made nine NCAA Tournament appearances. He then joined the Penn State Nittany Lions as an assistant coach before being appointed the first head coach for the University of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks program as it joined NCAA Division I in 2011. Mims brought the program national success, including a conference championship in 2017, before joining Real Salt Lake in 2018 where he was the assistant coach for the USL Championship team and the Academy teams in each age group. He was also the Director of Scouting for the Real Salt Lake Academy.
“I’ve been fortunate throughout my career to have worked with some great soccer leaders,” added Mims. “They have showed me the importance of getting a community to get behind the team and how to put together a quality team of players who will represent that community and club with great pride.’
In addition to his success in the league, Mims brought Union Omaha further into the national spotlight with a historic U.S. Open Cup run in 2022 which saw the Owls become the first USL League One team to beat two MLS sides and the first third-division team since 2013 to make the quarterfinals. He has coached his players to numerous USL League One accolades, including 11 All-League selections, and has developed, transferred, and helped to advance numerous players’ careers.
Mims will be introduced at an event at Ghost River Brewery on Beale Street Tuesday, December 12 at 7 p.m. . Fans and media are invited to attend.
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