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Locomotive FC Appoints John Hutchinson as New Head Coach, Technical Director

By USLChampionship.com Staff, 12/09/21, 4:15PM EST

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Former Sounders FC assistant also brings overseas experience to new position


New El Paso Locomotive FC Head Coach and Technical Director John Hutchinson has served as an assistant in three top flight divisions, including at Major League Soccer's Seattle Sounders FC.

EL PASO, Texas – El Paso Locomotive FC announced on Thursday it had appointed John Hutchinson as its new Head Coach and Technical Director. Hutchinson’s professional soccer career spans more than 25 years as both a player and on coaching staffs across seven leagues.

“We look forward to welcoming Jon and his family to El Paso,” said Josh Hunt, MountainStar Sports Group Co-Owner and Chairman. “His wealth of experience at the highest levels of professional soccer will bring a unique perspective to our community.”

Hutchinson brings six years of technical staff experience spanning five leagues, including serving as an assistant coach at Major League Soccer’s Seattle Sounders FC and in both Japan’s J1 League and Australia’s A-League. A native of Australia, Hutchinson began his coaching career in his homeland during the 2015/16 season with Central Coast Mariners before joining the Sounders’ organization in 2017.

The 41-year-old joined then-USL Championship side Tacoma Defiance as an assistant coach, and took the reins as Head Coach for one season in 2018. Hutchinson then returned to his native country for an Assistant Coach role with Western United FC in 2019.

Ahead of the 2020 abbreviated season, Hutchinson returned to the United States as a First Team Assistant Coach with the Sounders in Major League Soccer. While helping the Sounders to an MLS Cup Final appearance, Hutchinson doubled as a Development Coach for the extensive Sounders Academy. In 2021, Hutchinson moved to J-League 1 where he served as an First Assistant at Yokohama F. Marinos and helped lead the club to a second-place finish with a record of 24-7-7 (79 points).

“John provides all the attribute we were looking for,” said MountainStar Sports Group President, Alan Ledford. “First, as described by one his former bosses, he is a wonderful person and he brings extensive experience, including as a Head Coach, to Locomotive. He shares our objectives as a Club in the community and on the pitch. We look forward to continuing to build on the amazing foundation the team established in our first three seasons.”

Prior to his coaching career, Hutchinson played an expansive professional career over four leagues. Beginning his career in 1996 with Eastern Pride FC in the Australian National Soccer League (ANSL), whereas a central midfielder, he found seven goals over 89 appearances over five seasons. 2001 saw him move from Eastern Pride to Northern Spirit FC where he recorded another 12 goals in 77 appearances. Hutchinson then spent a season with Manly United FC (four goals; 25 appearances) in the NSW Premier League before signing with his long-standing club, Central Coast Mariners FC in 2005. While there Hutchinson recorded 18 goals across 228 appearances, captaining the team to winning a Grand Final in 2013 as well as helping lift the team to a Premiership win in the 07/08 season.

During his playing career, Hutchinson also earned international experience both at the league and national team levels, having spent a season on loan in 2011 with the Chengdu Blades (three goals; 14 appearances) in the Chinese Super League and earning 11 caps with the Maltese National Team between 2009 and 2011.

“After a global search for our next head coach, we identified and interviewed some of the best and brightest young soccer coaches and ultimately thought John was a great fit for what is required on the field, but also embodies the characteristics we look for in a positive contributor to our community,” said Locomotive General Manager, Business Operations Andrew Forrest. “John and his family have that in spades and I am excited to work with him and introduce him to our fanbase.”

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