"As an organization the Wilmington Hammerheads have been around for 10 years. David Irving has been the head coach for seven of them.
There's a chance he might not see his eighth.
WECT Sports has confirmed that Mr. Irving has been contacted by the Portland Timbers about their vacant head coach and general manager position. The Timbers play in the United Soccer Leagues First Division which is one Division higher than the Hammerheads.
Hammerheads Co-Owner Bill Rudisill has cited confidentiality and would say nothing more than preliminary discussions have begun.
"Out of respect for David I've allowed the team to talk with him." Mr. Rudisill went on to say, "I don't think there is a lot to this but if it's something that is better for him and it's what he wants to do then I will talk to David about it."
Mr. Irving has two years remaining on his current deal with the Hammerheads. The deal does include a buyout clause which the Timber have been made aware of.
Chris Metz, the Timbers Director of Communication said, "The list of candidates is right at about 15 individuals and we'd like to shorten that list as soon as possible." Mr. Metz added, "As we also run a baseball team we will be away at the winter meetings, but hiring a Coach/General Manager is our top priority."
Portland finished fifth in the USL this past season with a 10-9-9 overall record losing to Seattle in the first round of the playoffs.
When contacted Thursday afternoon Mr. Irving would only say that he has been contacted and that he was flattered.
"Sometimes you need to be challenged a bit and I'm looking at it seriously." Irving added, "It would take a good offer for me to relocate. Wilmington is my home and my wife and I have built something here. That being said a move to the First Division is still attractive."
In his seven seasons in Wilmington Mr. Irving's 92 wins are more than any active coach in the League. Since taking over the program in 1999 teams have advanced to the playoffs every year winning the Pro-Select League National Championship in 2003 and finishing as the runners up in 2002.
In 2003 the Hammerheads also made an appearance in the Quarterfinals of the Lamar Hunt U-S Open Cup defeating the Dallas Burn along the way. "
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