The Pittsburgh Riverhounds announced a new leadership structure for the 2015 season. Owner Tuffy Shallenberger, after successfully navigating the franchise through offseason Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, has restructured his front office staff after a dismal 2014 season.
“It’s probably one of the most difficult things I’ve had to do in my business career,” Shallenberger said of the offseason courtroom issues.
In addition to owning the Riverhounds and Highmark Stadium, Shallenberger, who is a Connellsville native, owns a construction company and several related businesses.
Joining the Riverhounds as president will be Richard Nightingale. Nightingale was a brand developer with Nike for 15 years and was the general manager of the Umbro soccer brand.
Nightingale has big plans for the development of the game experience at Highmark Stadium.
“First and foremost, I’m a fan of the game,” said Nightingale, who is a native of England. “You’ll see me sitting in the stands and enjoying it. I love to watch soccer.”
Some of the ideas Nightingale has include turning the bistro in the stadium’s lobby into a full pub by bringing in microbreweries and hosting watch parties for English Premier League games.
He also envisions the Riverhounds organization adding a professional women’s side in the next three years.
“The future is very bright for soccer in Pittsburgh,” he said. “I know how great of a sports city it is.”
The team will not renew its affiliation with the Houston Dynamo and will not have a Major League Soccer affiliate for 2015. The Dynamo will be placing its own team in USL Pro in 2016, and the Nightingale did not want to pursue a one-year deal.
The Riverhounds will be expanding their relationship with Allegheny Health Network, and the medical facility will be the team’s kit sponsor for the upcoming season. The team also provided a sneak peak at the road shirts, which will feature black and blue vertical bars. The home uniform, which was not shown, will be black and gold.
Jason Kutney, former Riverhounds CEO,will remain with the team as the sporting director. Kutney will be responsible for all of the soccer related activites in the organization including, the soccer academy, the under-23 devolpment team, and the professional squad.
“The Pittsburgh Riverhounds has been my life,” said Kutney, who has been a member of the Riverhounds organization off and on since 2004 as both a player and an executive. “I’ve lived and died for this club.”
At the same time, Kutney seems relieved that the business side of the organization is now in more experienced hands.
“I’m very, very, excited to take on a role where I can now focus on soccer, and fully soccer, he said. “The last couple of years, especially this past year, it’s been a different world for me. I’ve learned a tremendous amount … I’ve really learned what my passion is and my passion is the game of soccer.”
Coaching the professional squad for the upcoming season will be Mark Steffens. Steffens comes to the organization from the Charlotte Eagles, who folded in the offseason. Steffens sees a lot of potential for a successful team in 2015.
“Leaving here last week, I knew that this organization is headed for even better things,” Steffens said. “I know it’s stable now, I love the facility, love the people here. I just see great things for this organization, and I’ll just be a small part of it.”
Steffens comes with an impressive track record. He has been a USL Pro coach for 18 seasons. In that time, he’s made the playoffs 14 times and advanced to the finals nine times. He’s won the USL Pro championship twice and was coach of the year in 2004 and 2008.
Niko Katic, who moved from the pitch to the sideline last season when he took over as interim head coach, will remain on the staff as an assistant coach and will continue to work with the Riverhounds youth programs.
The team’s preseason will begin in late February 2015. The 24-team USL Pro will begin its season in late March.
