The Charlotte Independence announced on Monday that assistant coach Troy Lesesne would be departing the club to pursue a head coaching opportunity. Then, on Tuesday afternoon, USL New Mexico announced that Troy will be the club’s first head coach and technical director.

It was very clear that Lesesne was very popular amongst the Charlotte players he coached. Many reached out on social media to congratulate him and wish him well.

Lesesne’s contribution to soccer in the Carolinas is not limited to the Charlotte Independence. Troy grew up in South Carolina before playing at the College of Charleston and then professionally with the Charleston Battery. After his brief playing career, he was an assistant coach at the College of Charleston for nearly 10 years before a one-year stint as an assistant coaching liaison between the Battery and their then MLS affiliate, the Vancouver Whitecaps.

In 2014, Lesesne was introduced as a member of the Independence’s first coaching staff ahead of their inaugural 2015 season. That three and a half years of experience will likely be a big help as he looks to build a roster that can compete right away in 2019.

Independence fans will be very grateful for his time with the team. Not only has he had a clear impact on the players, but he’s been a great ambassador for the club.

Selfishly, I had always hoped that he would end up as the head coach of the Independence one day when Coach Jeffries moved on, and maybe that’s still in the cards, but I wish him all the best out West.

I guess now I have to actually watch some Western Conference games… good luck Troy!