Chattanooga Red Wolves head coach Tim Hankinson talks during practice at David Stanton Field on the campus of Chattanooga Christian School on Friday, Feb. 8, 2019 in Chattanooga, Tenn.From first kicking a soccer ball in New York City at the age of 5, Tim Hankinson never could have imagined how far the world's most popular sport would take him.
Hankinson's expertise in futbol has led him to coach on four continents and even help train stars at the beginning and end of their ascents, such as longtime U.S. national team goalkeeper Tim Howard and three-time Colombian World Cup participant Carlos Valderrama.
Major League Soccer's first-ever director of player development as well as the first hired head coach of Nike Project-40, now Generation Adidas, is excited to begin a new journey in the Scenic City.
Forty years after taking his first head coaching opportunity at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, Hankinson has high hopes to win championships with the Chattanooga Red Wolves.
"I am excited because Chattanooga has shown it is a very excited and educated soccer market," Hankinson said. "In the past 40 years you often have to try and grow soccer interest and teach people the game, but that's not what we have to do here. We are excited about the roster we have assembled and the future ahead."
Already garnering high expectations, one of USL League One's most experienced squads on paper - with an average age of 27 years old - will open the preseason today at 4 p.m. on the road against Birmingham Legion FC, a member of the USL Championship division.
Other preseason matches for the Red Wolves will be on Saturdays, against Atlanta United 2 (Feb. 23, 11 a.m.), Georgia State University (March 2, 1 p.m.) and Louisville City FC (March 16, 10:45 a.m.).
"We are going to push the ball forward and play very aggressive in our possession," Hankinson said. "Interchanging positions and letting our players have freedom to move around is very important. We want to be dangerous every time we go possess the ball instead of slowing the game down and going side to side."
With many firsts to come for the Red Wolves, the key is to set a championship standard to follow every day.
"The culture is built, and we know the worth ethic we should have," Hankinson said. "I am excited, charged up and going at it every day. I know our guys are, too."
Alex Mangels will receive valuable time in goal while Chattanooga still awaits the arrival of Greg Hartley, who has been working out visa issues while playing overseas.
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com.