PORTLAND THORNS REASSIGN HEAD COACH AFTER WINLESS NWSL START
Mike Norris’ tenure as Thorns head coach has come to an end. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)
The Portland Thorns are looking for a new head coach after a winless start to the NWSL season.
The organization has reassigned head coach Mike Norris to a newly created technical director position. Assistant coach Rob Gale is set to take over as interim head coach while the club conducts a “global search” for its next head coach.
Norris began his time at the club as an assistant coach before taking the reigns after former head coach Rhian Wilkinson abruptly resigned in 2022. Under Norris, the Thorns finished second in 2023’s regular season standings, but suffered three losses in their last five games in a spell that saw them knocked out of the running for the NWSL Shield. They went on to lose their first playoff game in postseason play.
At the start of the 2024 season, the Thorns went winless through four games for the first time in club history.
“The results have not gone our way, and in a head coach position, the results do matter,” Thorns GM Karina LeBlanc told The Athletic’s Meg Linehan shortly after the Tuesday afternoon announcement. “But the results that we have, you can’t just pinpoint it on one position.”
Norris’ reassignment marks the first major personnel decision made under the club’s new ownership. RAJ Sports’ Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal, who also own the NBA’s Sacramento Kings, bought the club in January from Merritt Paulson, who sold the Thorns amidst the fallout stemming from reports of misconduct within the NWSL.
Both the Bhathal family and the Thorns front office have been looking to make changes, and establishing a technical director topped the list. According to LeBlanc, Norris has what it takes to assume the position.
“Where can we grow? Where are the gaps? How do we move forward with being the standard that people are used to with the Thorns?” LeBlanc continued. “One of [Norris’] strengths is to analyze and process, then come down to communicate what needs to happen.”
Despite the dismal start, a quick turnaround could certainly be in the cards for Portland. The club currently leads the league in shots and shots on goal, as does star forward and USWNT standout Sophia Smith.
“These changes will help us maximize our strengths as we continuously pursue championship-level success,” LeBlanc said, voicing full support for
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