Independence add two coaches to technical staff

ASHLEY MAHONEY | THE CHARLOTTE POST

Dave Dixon, who led the Charlotte Eagles to the USL League Two title in 2017, is returning to the Charlotte Independence technical staff.

The Charlotte Independence are bringing back a familiar voice to its technical staff.

The club hired Dave Dixon, a former Independence assistant coach in 2019-20, and promoted Blake Ellis to goalkeeper coach. Dixon, who returns to the Independence from FC Carolinas where he was the director of soccer, has an extensive resume. He coached Indy Eleven in the USL Championship and the Charlotte Eagles, which he led to the USL League Two title in 2017.

In USL League Two, Dixon coached the Charlotte Eagles and Mississippi Brilla FC and in 2015 earned USL League Two coach of the year.

“I'm really excited to be back with the Independence and to work with [head coach Mike Jeffries again,” Dixon said in a statement. “Mike, with the support of ownership, has done a fantastic job creating a club and culture that can compete for championships.”

Dixon “provides tremendous soccer insights and has a very comfortable manner when dealing with players,” Jeffries said in a statement. “In addition, his ability to scout players and knowledge of both the youth and college landscape will be valuable as we continue to build our roster and look to develop young players.”

Ellis joined the Independence in 2020 as youth goalkeeper director and a year later was promoted to boys’ goalkeeper director, which included the U-19 ECNL national title in 2021 and USL Academy title (2023). He previously was men’s and women’s goalkeeper coach at Winthrop from 2018-20. He was also U-13 and U-19 goalkeeper coach at Discoveries Soccer Club.

“I joined the Charlotte Independence Soccer Club three and a half years ago because of the club's vision and player pathway,” he said. “I knew I wanted to be a part of an industry that provided a path to pro for youth soccer players. We’ve been very successful in that regard, signing multiple players to academy contracts over the past seasons. Not only has this pathway been successful for players, it has proven to provide opportunities for coaches.”

Said Jeffries: “We are excited to bring Blake Ellis on board as our goalkeeping coach. In the times he has worked with our goalkeepers, he has done a great job of setting up and running sessions, bringing a good mentality and modern training ideas. In addition, we are happy to continue to cement the relationship with our academy, enabling staff coaches to grow and develop with the first team.” 

The Independence kick off their season on March 16 against One Knoxville SC at Memorial Stadium.

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