New England Revolution: Who Is Clint Peay?
Learn everything you need to know about the Revolution's newest interim head coach!
Following a chaotic six-week period, the New England Revolution find themselves with Clint Peay at the helm as he was named interim Head Coach.
Unless you’re a Revolution II fanatic like me, you may not be familiar with Clint Peay. Well, here’s your chance to learn about the New England Revolution’s newest interim coach.
Playing Career:
The Columbia, Maryland native began his collegiate career in 1991 when he played alongside former interim Head Coach Richie Williams at the University of Virginia under former Revolution Head Coach and Sporting Director Bruce Arena. Over four seasons, Peay and the Virginia Cavaliers hoisted four ACC and four NCAA National Championships.
The center back also accumulated personal accolades with the Cavs as he received the All-ACC First Team honors in 1992 and 1994. Peay also earned All-American Second Team honors in 1992.
Peay represented the United States as he captained the Under-20 squad through the 1993 U-20 World Cup. The US made it out of the Group Stage after amassing a 1-1-1 record but suffered a 3-0 defeat to Brazil in the Quarterfinals.
Following a successful college career, Peay reunited with collegiate coach Bruce Arena as D.C. United selected the Virginia defender with their ninth-round pick in the inaugural MLS Draft.
Peay pulled off the double in 1996 as he and D.C. United raised the U.S. Open and MLS Cup. They would go on to hoist a second MLS Cup in 1997. Peay went on to appear in six matches for D.C. Before he left for a loan spell with the Charleston Battery. Peay saw two loans in 1999 as he had stints with the Maryland Mania and Northern Virginia Royals.
Unfortunately, Peay had to hang the cleats up in 2000 following a leg injury. Peay ended his MLS career with 43 appearances, where he notched two goals and two assists over 3114 minutes.
Despite not being on the field, Peay stayed involved with D.C. United as he joined the club’s broadcast as an announcer.
Managerial Career:
Peay got his first coaching break on January 27th, 2003, when he was named assistant manager for Georgetown University.
Clint’s time with the Hoyas did not last long as he accepted an assistant manager position with the Davidson College Bobcats on August 1st, 2004. Following four years at Davidson, Peay joined George Mason University as an assistant manager on March 5th, 2008.
Peay got his first head coaching opportunity on February 1st, 2009, when he became the gaffer at the University of Richmond. On July 27th, 2012, Peay returned to the international level as he was named the United States Under-17 head coach. In 2016, Peay went on to coach the US U-14s before becoming the U-15 coach in 2019.
On February 12th, 2019, Peay left the international stage as he accepted an assistant manager position with North Carolina FC. Peay reunited with Arena and got his first big head coaching gig on November 25th, 2019, as he was named Revolution II’s inaugural Head Coach.
Peay's professional head coaching debut came on July 25th, 2020, as Revs II played to a scoreless draw against Union Omaha. Peay ended the shortened 2020 USL League One season in ninth place with a 5-8-3.
Revs II has seen consistent improvement under Clint as they ended the 2021 season in eighth place with an 11-13-4 record. Their first season in MLS NEXT Pro saw them finish seventh with a 9-10-5 record with one shootout win. 2023 has undoubtedly been Revs II’s best year, as they currently sit in second place with a 14-5-8 record with six shootout wins.
Peay ascended to the first team following Arena’s placement on administrative leave as Clint served as an assistant coach. Following a fickle-filled week that saw Arena resign following Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Minnesota United and tensions rise within the Training Center, Clint Peay was named Interim Head Coach as the club prepares for the second leg of their three-game road trip as they travel to Commerce City, Colorado to take on the Colorado Rapids on Saturday.
My Synopsis:
As someone who has seen Clint Peay’s coaching upfront and personal from the front row of Revolution II games, I have full confidence that Clint can lead this Revolution squad following weeks of turmoil.
Watching how players have reacted, Clint has the respect of players and equally redistributes it back to them on and off the field.
While other coaches in MLS NEXT Pro go full theatrical on the sideline, Clint keeps composure on the sideline while implementing the necessary feedback to keep Revolution II on track during games, which has led Revs II to success throughout 2023.
I’m personally excited for Clint! He’s one of many within the organization who deserved to get a look for the head coaching position. I hope things go smoothly for him throughout the remainder of 2023!
My worry is that he doesn't have any MLS coaching experience and won't have any assistants that do either.
How is he going to be able to compete with experienced pro coaches (from MLS and elsewhere) in terms of tactical, strategic and personnel decisions?