Bringing over 30 years of experience across the highest levels of American soccer, John Hackworth was named the next head men’s soccer coach at the Naval Academy in December 2025.
After a coaching career that has seen success developing championship-caliber players with the U.S. Soccer men’s and youth national teams as well as at the MLS, MLS NEXT Pro, USL and Division I levels, Hackworth becomes just the seventh head coach in the 105-year history of the Navy men’s soccer program.
Hackworth arrives in Annapolis after spending the last four years as the director of coaching and technical director of Major League Soccer’s St. Louis City SC, including being named 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Coach of the Year while serving as the interim head coach for the club’s CITY2 team. Also spending time as an assistant coach for the senior U.S. men’s national team and the head coach for USMNT U17 team, he previously had stints as head coach of the USL’s Louisville City FC, MLS’ Philadelphia Union and the University of South Florida.
Hackworth started his time with St. Louis City SC as the director of coaching for the MLS expansion club, stepping up as head coach for the club's CITY2 side during its inaugural MLS NEXT Pro 2022 season. He guided the team to the Western Conference regular-season championship and runners-up finish in the MLS NEXT Pro Cup Final. The following season saw Hackworth serve as an assistant coach for the MLS squad’s 2023 inaugural campaign, winning the Western Conference regular-season championship. Gaining the title of technical director in 2024, he was then appointed interim head coach of the MLS team for the final 18 games of the 2024 season, going 7-7-4 in that time. Hackworth again stepped up when he became the CITY SC interim sporting director and CITY2 interim coach in 2025, leading the MLS NEXT Pro side to a 12-2-5 during this stint, securing the No. 1 seed in the playoffs and earning the league’s coach-of-the-year honor.
Prior to St. Louis City SC, Hackworth was head coach of the USL’s Louisville City FC, going 48-16-14 over parts of four seasons. With LouCity, he led the Boys in Purple to the 2018 USL Championship title, guided them back to the USL Championship game in 2019 and oversaw the USL’s best regular-season record in 2020 en route to an Eastern Conference finals appearance.
Hackworth’s most recent U.S. Soccer stint from 2014-18 saw him named to his old position as head coach of the U17 national team and its residency program while also serving as an assistant coach for the U.S. Olympic Team. At the 2017 FIFA U17 World Cup, Hackworth led a team that featured future USMNT standouts Sergiño Dest, Josh Sargent and Timothy Weah to the knockout round before falling to eventual champion England in the quarterfinals. Following the 2017 FIFA U17 World Cup, Hackworth had another nine-month tenure as an assistant coach for the senior USMNT while continuing his role with the U17s.
Hackworth entered the pro ranks in 2009 as an assistant coach and youth director for the then-expansion Philadelphia Union of the MLS, ultimately being promoted to head coach and chief soccer officer in 2012 and leading the Union for three seasons, highlighted by a trip to the 2012 US Open Cup semifinals.
In his first stint with U.S. Soccer, Hackworth was hired by John Ellinger to be an assistant coach for the U17 national team in 2002 and was elevated to head coach of the U17 team in 2004. During his time with the U17s, he helped Ellinger guide the United States to the 2003 CONCACAF U17 Qualifiers championship and a fifth-place finish at the 2003 FIFA U17 World Cup. Taking over the reins, Hackworth then oversaw the 2005 and 2007 CONCACAF U17 Qualifiers championship teams himself, taking fifth at the 2005 FIFA U17 World Cup. Following the 2007 U17 World Cup, Hackworth was promoted to assistant coach of the USMNT and technical director of the U.S. Development Academy, going on to earn 2008 Developmental Coach of the Year distinction from the United States Olympic Committee while helping the Bob Bradley-led USMNT finish as runner-up at the 2009 Confederations Cup.
Hackworth got his first head coaching job in 1998 when he was hired to lead South Florida’s men’s program, becoming the youngest NCAA Division I head coach at the time. In four seasons at the helm of the Bulls, he guided USF to a 47-32-2 record and a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances. Selected as the 1998 Conference USA Coach of the Year, Hackworth oversaw 17 all-conference selections while leading the Bulls to the 1998 CUSA Championship and a 2001 NCAA at-large berth.
While pursuing a playing career in the United States Development Soccer League and for the Carolina Dynamos of the A-League, Hackworth started his coaching career at his alma mater as an assistant coach for the Wake Forest women’s soccer program during its 1994 inaugural season. He then joined the Wake Forest men’s soccer staff as an assistant under head coach Jay Vidovich for four years.
A native of Dunedin, Fla., Hackworth played his first two years of college soccer at Brevard College before transferring to Wake Forest for his final two seasons. He graduated from Wake Forest in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology.
Hackworth and his wife, Tricia, have three sons, Morgan, Larsen and Keaton. Morgan and Larsen both played soccer professionally, with Larsen currently serving as a U16 assistant coach for the St. Louis City FC Academy.
What They’re Saying:
“John Hackworth is one of the most respected and accomplished soccer minds in the country, and we are proud to welcome him to the Naval Academy as our new head men's soccer coach. His breadth of experience — from developing elite youth talent for U.S. Soccer to leading top-tier college and professional teams — reflects a lifelong commitment to excellence. John cares deeply about developing players as competitors, teammates and leaders, and he has shown throughout his career that winning and character go hand-in-hand. He will be an exceptional steward of our program and an outstanding mentor for our midshipmen." – Michael Kelly, Navy Director of Athletics
“Congratulations to both Navy and Coach Hackworth, John is a tremendous hire. I was fortunate to work alongside him as we worked to rebuild our Wake Forest program and I owe him a great deal. John brought an unmatched energy and passion for the game, along with a remarkable ability to detect both talent and character in players. I’ve always admired John’s work at the college, international and professional levels. He is a natural leader who has been able to connect with players at every stage of their careers. John holds high standards on and off the field, and I have no doubt he will continue his winning ways with the Midshipmen.” – Jay Vidovich, former Wake Forest and current Pittsburgh head coach
“John Hackworth is an outstanding coach and person. He has been successful in every level of soccer in our country and is a great appointment for the Naval Academy.” – Bruce Arena, former USMNT head coach and current San Jose Earthquakes sporting director/head coach
“John was an important early hire for us and played a meaningful role in building our long-term sporting plan. On behalf of the ownership group, I want to thank John for his unwavering dedication to our club and our city.” – St. Louis City SC ownership group member and CEO Carolyn Kindle
