Hartford Athletic has named legendary UConn Soccer Coach Ray Reid as the club’s Technical Director. Reid, a four time National Soccer Coaches Association of America “National Coach of the Year” winner, will oversee all aspects of the first team including personnel decisions, selection of coaches and technical staff, player identification and scouting, as well as oversight of the Hartford Athletic Academy.
“Over the past few months, I’ve really missed the locker room and the camaraderie of being part of a team. I’m honored and excited to join Hartford Athletic,” Reid said. “I’d like to thank Bruce Mandell, Coach Watling and the entire organization for welcoming me to the club. I am humbled by the opportunity they’ve presented to me, to help grow the professional soccer team in the state I love. I would not have accepted this position if not for Bruce and Coach Watling’s flexibility and understanding of my needs to be able to assist my parents at times with anything that may arise from their aging issues. ”
“I’ve been very fortunate to work at two outstanding Universities in UConn and Southern Connecticut State University. They will always hold a special place in my heart,” Reid added. “My goal now is to help Hartford Athletic be a team that the entire state of Connecticut gets behind.”
The 61-year-old Reid retired in December of 2021. Reid coached for 33 seasons, 25 of them with the Huskies, and amassed a career head coaching record of 457-149-78, which is the second-highest total in history among coaches at four-year institutions who have coached a minimum of five years in Division I. 312 of those wins came with the Huskies, as did eight regular season titles, four Big East Tournament championships, and a National Championship in 2000. He was inducted into the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame in 2003.