When Real Monarchs SLC hired Mike Petke as its new head coach, the Real Salt Lake organization brought in a person who certainly burst into the scene at a high level at a young age. Petke was only 37 years old when he led Major League Soccer’s New York Red Bulls to the Supporters’ Shield in 2013.

With the offseason transition of former Monarchs coach Freddy Juarez to an assistant coaching role with RSL, which left a void on the USL side, Petke was on the club’s radar.

The wheels were set in motion when Petke received a text from one-time N.Y./N.J. MetroStars teammate and current Real Salt Lake Head Scout Andy Williams, and Petke began his talks with RSL General Manager Craig Waibel and the organization.

“I didn’t really know what it was about at all, and then it just took off from there,” Petke said. “We started speaking and it became clear that they were interested in me perhaps coaching the Monarchs. It went very quick.”

This is new territory for Petke, who has already had numerous discussions and covered an array of topics with RSL Head Coach Jeff Cassar in how the Monarchs and the MLS club maximize their talent and produce.

“I’m thrilled to be a part of this and I’m definitely adapting,” Petke said. “I think a huge part of coaching and life is adapting to environments and situations, and I’ve definitely adapted quickly to the concept of this, as well as just integrating myself within the organization. It’s been pretty smooth.”

The joint role for any MLS-owned-and-operated USL club is a dynamic one. Petke’s duties are twofold, to provide Cassar and the MLS club with the next generation of players while also performing at the highest professional level on the USL side. Clubs such as the 2015 USL runner-up LA Galaxy II and last year’s 2016 champion New York Red Bulls II have solidified that track record, and the Monarchs hope to improve on that front as well.

“I’m extremely competitive,” Petke said. “The players want to win, and [RSL Owner Dell Loy] Hansen certainly wants us to win. At the end of the day, it’s finding that balance, which has not been tested yet. … It goes hand-in-hand.”