Dallas Trinity FC hires Nathan Thackeray as new permanent head coach

Dallas Trinity FC has found a new permanent head coach.

Nathan Thackeray, a former interim head coach of the NWSL’s North Carolina Courage, will take over the team for the second half of the season, the club announced Tuesday.

Thackeray will be the permanent replacement for former head coach Pauline McDonald who departed the club in June 2025 after coaching Trinity to a playoff berth in its inaugural season. Dallas general manager Chris Petrucelli had been coaching the team on an interim basis throughout the first half of the season.

“Becoming the head coach of Dallas Trinity FC is an opportunity that I’m truly grateful for,” Thackeray said in a news release. “This club is building something special, and I’m excited to help guide that process.”

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An England native, Thackeray played professionally as a goalkeeper for lower-level clubs Bradford City and Corby Town. He transitioned into coaching in the early 2010s and spent time as an assistant coach at collegiate and youth levels. He had stints with the Houston Dynamo Academy and the North Carolina Tar Heels’ 23-time national champion women’s soccer team, among others. From 2017-2025 he was an assistant and goalkeeping coach with the Courage, winning NWSL titles in 2018 and 2019.

“Throughout his career, Nathan has shown that he’s a winner. With the team positioned to compete for a Championship, Nathan is the perfect person to get us over the line,” Petrucelli said. “He brings experience, enthusiasm, passion, knowledge, and expertise to a team that is ready to chase titles. We will be excited to see the team performing at a high level under his guidance.”

The club also announced the signing of three new players in defender Lauren Flynn, goalkeeper Tyler McCamey, and midfielder Heather Stainbrook. All three players are coming to Dallas after stints with NWSL clubs. Flynn arrives after two season’s with the Utah Royals, McCamey was last a member of the Kansas City Current and Stainbrook joins on loan from the Washington Spirit.

Thackeray takes over a Trinity squad sitting in fourth place and holding onto the final playoff spot in the league. Dallas entered the break on a four-game points streak and sit just five points off league leaders Sporting JAX with a game in hand. Trinity returns to action Jan. 31 when they host Brooklyn FC.

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