Tulsa Roughnecks FC underwent a difficult 2016 season on the pitch, but some changes both internally and on a grander scale are bringing optimism toward the organization.

During the 2016 USL Winter Summit, Roughnecks General Manager Mike Melega expressed some renewed hope that the club is putting the pieces in place for a rebound campaign.

For starters, former MLS midfielder and defender David Vaudreuil has been brought in as Head Coach, taking over the role previously held by David Irving, who is now the club’s technical director.

“He’s got big plans and a great network, so we’re excited for what he’s going to bring to the table for us,” Melega said of Vaudreuil. “It brings credibility to what we’re trying to do. He’s well connected and he’s got experience at all different levels. He’s very in tune with the caliber of play that it’s going to take to be successful.”