Writing a New Chapter: Quill Taking Over for FC Dallas?

A late night post set off a domino effect - Eric Quill may be the next head coach of FC Dallas.

Social media moves fast. At first, there are rumors and hints about what is to come, especially as FC Dallas fans wait for news about the direction of their team. And then - one little credible nudge, the whole thing begins to make sense. Carlos Nava of ESPN broke the ice/glass or whatever metaphor you want to use.

In short, Peter Luccin, at some point today or in the past few days, was informed that he had not been given the permanent head coaching position of FC Dallas.

Meanwhile, anonymous sources within FC Dallas had indicated that the top two candidates came down to Peter Luccin and Eric Quill, head coach of New Mexico United. With names like Jim Curtain and (most recently) Tata Martino becoming available, you could argue that such two finalists speak of a lack of ambition or budget for the Frisco-based franchise. But both had roots steeped in the Dallas way which may matter more to the family-based environment Dan Hunt and company want to build.

Peter Luccin obviously improved the team since taking over as interim coach in a snake-bit, injury-ridden season. He got them attacking more, strengthening significantly at home. But in the end, crucial away losses may have done him in, including an inability to shore up the team defensively.

Eric Quill comes in with a long history with FC Dallas, once leading North Texas Soccer Club to a USL League One championship. He is an academy guy who achieved his then ceiling within the organization before departing to serve with Columbus Crew as an assistant before taking over New Mexico United. Under his care, New Mexico surged to the top of the Western Conference in 2024. He is a candidate for coach of the year in USL Championship.

No doubt, Dan Hunt likes how Quill can get more out of a club with fewer resources. FC Dallas is unlikely to be the top spenders in any season going forward in Major League Soccer.

Too, Quill brings a sense of chaos to the team culture, offering an exciting brand of attacking soccer while still balancing a defensive-minded approach. Those two things might fit some of the personnel available to FC Dallas. Can this team claim more of a perennial underdog identity, always going in trying to disrupt the status quo?

FC Dallas were never going to be in play with a well known outsider type coach. Tata is never going to consider moving to Frisco, for example. They had swung on Nico Estevez as an outsider, now with Austin FC, and had middling success. Quill offers a resume as one who is familiar with FC Dallas and who has a track record at the MLS level. The perfect fit, perhaps?

Stay tuned as this news… likely becomes official in the coming hours and days.

What are your thoughts? Are you ready for Quill to write a new chapter in FC Dallas’ story?