LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Defending USL Cup champion Louisville City FC announced on Thursday the appointment of Mario Sanchez as the club’s Director of Youth Development and Community Relations. The new role brings Sanchez back to the Derby City, where he was a former assistant coach at the University of Louisville, with the experienced coach having most recently been the Head Coach at SIUE, where he amassed a record of 38-24-14 over four seasons at the program.

“My family and I are extremely excited to return Louisville and join the Louisville City FC family,” said Sanchez. “The opportunity to work with President Brad Estes and Technical Director/Head Coach John Hackworth was something that I could not turn down. Brad and John have a clear, long-term vision of success for LCFC both on and off the field.

“On the field, I am looking forward to assisting Coach Hackworth and assistant coach Danny Cruz as we strive to win another USL Championship. Off the field, I am passionate about the opportunity to work with all community leaders to help grow the sport of soccer and to give back to the Louisville community.”

Sanchez led the Cougars to the Sweet 16 of the 2016 NCAA Tournament, winning the Missouri Valley Conference’s regular-season title in 2015 and the conference tournament in the 2016 campaign. Previously he had served as the Associate Head Coach to Ken Lolla with the Cardinals, experience that LouCity President Brad Estes believes will benefit the club and the city’s soccer community.

“LouCity is proud to welcome Mario Sanchez into the family,” said Estes. “He represents everything to which we aspire, and will help us bridge the gap from the club to the community. Mario will demonstrate that we are doing the right things in order to build a club that is sustainable long into the future.

“Bringing in someone like Mario who is familiar with the Louisville soccer landscape is a huge plus as well, and this is a bit of a homecoming for him. We’re thrilled to have him on board and to have another character who matches our ambitions.”

LouCity Head Coach John Hackworth, who will enter his first full season at the helm of the club in 2019, echoed Estes’ comments.

“We have just landed one of the best soccer people in the game in this country,” said Hackworth. “Mario has been a positive influence everywhere he has been. We are truly blessed to have someone of his character, caliber, and experience joining our staff as we continue to grow our club in the years to come.”