COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC announced on Friday the departure of Head Coach Brendan Burke, who has accepted a position as the top assistant coach for Houston Dynamo FC, joining the staff of Head Coach Ben Olsen.

The Switchbacks will be led in the interim by the club’s current coaching staff, with the announcement of a new appointment to be made in the coming days.

“Brendan and his staff have demonstrated their ability to build a winning team and culture here in Colorado Springs,” said Switchbacks FC President Nick Ragain. “Having recently signed him to a new contract, the idea of allowing a conversation between Brendan and Houston was one we had to consider carefully. Ultimately, this process is no different than what we’ve been preaching for years: come to Colorado Springs, perform well for the fans, and we will support each individual’s ambitions while continuing to advance as a club.”

“This was a difficult decision for sure,” said Burke. “I felt like we could have been here for 15 more years and had a wild amount of success. That said, I am also confident leaving the Switchbacks in the hands of the people I trust most, my staff. I believe all three of those guys will be head coaches in this league one day.”

Burke joined Colorado Springs ahead of the 2021 season, a move which coincided with the club’s opening of its new 8,000-seat downtown home in the city. The Switchbacks have reached the USL Championship Playoffs in each of his two seasons, posting an overall record of 30-22-14 while recording 119 regular season goals, third-most among Championship teams in that span.

This past season the Switchbacks finished third in the Western Conference and advance to the Western Conference Final in the USL Championship Playoffs for the first time. In addition, the club saw Hadji Barry win the 2021 USL Championship Most Valuable Player award, and Michee Ngalina claim the 2022 USL Championship Young Player of the Year award, while also seeing Cam Lindley earn 2022 USL Championship All-League honors.

Under Burke, the Switchbacks have also been successful in moving players to new top-flight opportunities. This past October the club transferred Barry for a USL Championship-record fee to Egyptian Premier League club Future FC, while this offseason the side transferred young American Isaiah Foster to Major League Soccer’s FC Cincinnati.

The Switchbacks have reinforced ahead of the new season as well, signing a pair of experienced Jamaican internationals and former Championship All-League selections in midfielder Speedy Williams and forward Romario Williams. The side has also added New Zealand international James Musa, central midfielder Drew Skundrich, previously of D.C. United, and Jamaican forward Maalique Foster.