FRISCO, Texas – Schellas Hyndman announced today that he plans to step down as head coach of FC Dallas at the end of the 2013 season. Hyndman joined the club in 2008, and led FC Dallas to its only MLS Cup appearance in 2010. His 244 career points as a head coach are the most in FC Dallas history.

“I truly appreciate the opportunity to be a part of the FC Dallas family for the last five years,” Hyndman said. “After a lot of thought and consideration, I feel the time is right for me to step down as head coach of FC Dallas. I want to thank the Hunt family for their support and friendship, our players, coaches and front office for their dedication and effort during my time here, and especially the great FC Dallas fans.”

Hyndman amassed a 62-57-58 record in his five seasons as head coach, and in 2010, he became the first FC Dallas head coach to claim MLS Coach of the Year honors. FC Dallas Chairman Clark Hunt thanked Hyndman for his dedication to the club.

“My family and I have a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for Schellas both as a coach and as a person, and we sincerely appreciate his contributions to the club over the last five-and-a-half seasons,” Hunt said. “Having had the pleasure of knowing him for the last 30 years, I have seen first-hand his commitment to his craft and the passion he has for the game. We wish him well in the next chapter of his life, and he will be missed.”

The search for the next head coach of FC Dallas will begin immediately, Hunt said, and is expected to include a broad list of candidates.

Hyndman’s home finale as head coach will be this Saturday when FCD faces Seattle at Toyota Stadium at 1:30 PM CST. Hyndman and FCD close out the 2013 season on the road against the San Jose Earthquakes on October 26.

Dan Hunt, vice president of Hunt Sports Group, echoed the family’s sentiments about Hyndman.

“We are very grateful for Schellas’ hard work and commitment to FC Dallas,” Dan Hunt said. “Whether with our fans, our front office or in our community, he has always represented FCD and our family with class, and we wish him nothing but the best in the future.”

After securing a berth in the 2011 CONCACAF Champions League tournament, Hyndman and FC Dallas became the first team in MLS history to defeat a Mexican opponent in Mexico. The club opened its first foray into the competition with an unprecedented 4-0-0 record and four consecutive shutouts. Hyndman also led Dallas to back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time since the 2007 season and equaled the greatest number of points in a MLS season (52) despite enduring an additional 14 matches in outside competition, playing a franchise record of 48 games in one season.

In 2007, Hyndman was enshrined into the Walk of Fame at Toyota Stadium, an honor given to those who have made significant contributions to the sport of soccer in Texas. He is also a former president of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (2005).

Before joining FC Dallas, Hyndman spent 31 seasons as a college head coach, including 24 at nearby Southern Methodist University. Hyndman ranks fifth all-time in victories among Division I coaches, posting an all-time college record of 466-122-49, which includes a record of 368-98-38 at SMU and 98-24-11 at Eastern Illinois University, where he was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame. In 31 years as coach, he led his schools to 30 NCAA playoff appearances, 11 quarter finals and five final fours (three in Division I, two in Division II). He was named National Coach of the Year in 1981 and also earned eight League Coach of the Year honors during his career (WAC: 1997, 1998, 1999; MVC: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004; Conference USA: 2006).

On Jan. 13, 2012, Hyndman received the Bill Jeffrey Award for Long-Term Service to Intercollegiate Soccer in recognition for his tremendous contributions to the growth of intercollegiate soccer. Hyndman also remains a Director of Coaching Emeritus of the NSCAA Academy.