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Interim No More – Ben Pirmann Takes Reins in Memphis

By USLChampionship.com Staff, 04/08/21, 2:52PM EDT

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Successful young coach led side to late-season victories in 2020 after appointment as interim manager


Appointed as Memphis 901 FC's new Head Coach on Thursday, Ben Pirmann led the side to late-season victories against the Charlotte Independence and Birmingham Legion FC after being appointed interim manager late in the 2020 season. | Photo courtesy Charlot

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Ben Pirmann can remove the Interim tag from his office at AutoZone Park.

On Thursday, Memphis 901 FC announced Pirmann had been made its new permanent Head Coach for the 2021 USL Championship season, keeping the young coach at the club he led to late-season success last year.

“Highly qualified individuals both domestic and foreign were interviewed, but we feel that Ben provides us with the best chance of taking this team closer to our goal which is to make the playoffs and bring a trophy to Memphis,” said 901 FC Sporting Director Tim Howard. “You will not find an individual who works harder and gives more for this club.”

After the dismissal of former Head Coach Tim Mulqueen in September, Pirmann took over as interim head coach for the remaining three matches of the season and earned a pair of victories thanks to a boosted attack. Pirmann’s side recorded seven goals across three games and earned 901 FC’s first wins in club history against the Charlotte Independence and regional rival Birmingham Legion FC, both of which reached last year’s postseason.

“Ben knows the history of this club, he knows this market and the expectations of our supporters. Most importantly, he knows what this team needs to do to deliver more wins,” said Craig Unger, Memphis 901 FC President. “Last year was challenging on many fronts, and despite all of those challenges, Ben stepped up and proved that he is a leader and worthy USL Championship Head Coach.”

Prior to coming to Memphis, Pirmann filled the role of assistant coach at his alma mater Michigan State University from 2011 to 2018. In his eight years at Michigan State, Pirmann helped lead the Spartans to six NCAA tournaments, four Elite Eight appearances and, in 2018, he helped them reach the NCAA Tournament College Cup for the first time in 50 years. He was named back-to-back Top Assistant Coach by College Soccer News in 2016 and 2017.

While in Michigan, Pirmann was also Head Coach of Detroit City FC, where over six seasons he led the club to a 49-17-17 record,  a conference final, a regional final and a national semifinal.

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