Memphis FC Announces Daniel Ridenhour as Inaugural Head Coach
Memphis, Tenn. — Memphis Football Club today announced Daniel Ridenhour as the club’s inaugural head coach ahead of its debut season in USL League Two. A Memphis native with extensive collegiate and elite development experience, Ridenhour will lead the club as it begins its journey representing the Mid-South.
Ridenhour brings more than two decades of coaching experience across the collegiate, youth, and elite development levels. Most recently, he served as the head men’s soccer coach at Winthrop University, where he led the program after more than a decade on staff, including seven years as associate head coach before taking over the program in 2015.
During his tenure with the Winthrop Eagles, Ridenhour played a key role in one of the program’s most successful stretches, helping guide the team to four Big South Conference championships and five appearances in the NCAA College Cup.
Prior to his time at Winthrop, Ridenhour served as an assistant coach at Georgia State University and worked extensively in youth development, including roles with the Georgia Olympic Development Program and multiple elite club programs.
For Ridenhour, the opportunity to lead Memphis FC represents a meaningful return home.
Originally from Memphis, Ridenhour played youth soccer locally with Memphis Futbol Club and attended Houston High School in Germantown, Tennessee. His deep roots in the Mid-South soccer community make him a natural fit to lead the club’s vision of developing local talent and building a pathway for Memphis players to reach the next level.
“Daniel’s experience across youth, collegiate, and USL League Two environments makes him the ideal leader for our club,” said Carey Talley, President of Memphis FC. “Just as important, he understands Memphis. He grew up here, played here, and knows what soccer in this city means. As we launched Memphis FC, we wanted a coach who believes in developing local players and building something that our community can be proud of.”
Ridenhour expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead the club into its inaugural season.
“I’m incredibly grateful to the leadership of Memphis Football Club and the Talley family for entrusting me with the responsibility of leading the club during its inaugural USL2 season,” said Ridenhour. “It’s a privilege to be part of building something from the ground up, and I’m thankful for the belief they’ve shown in this project.
“I also want to thank my wife, children and extended family for their constant support throughout this journey. Their encouragement makes seizing opportunities like this possible.
“Memphis has a strong soccer community, and I’m excited to be part of the city’s soccer history while helping to build a club that represents the community with pride. I’m looking forward to working with everyone involved to create a positive future for Memphis Football Club.”
Ridenhour holds a U.S. Soccer ‘A’ Coaching License and has coached numerous players who have gone on to compete professionally in Major League Soccer, the USL Championship, and leagues around the world.
Memphis FC will begin play in USL League Two in 2026, representing the Mid-South with a roster built around local talent and top collegiate players from across the country. All home matches will be played at Mike Rose Soccer Complex Stadium.
For more information about Memphis FC, visit www.gomemphisfc.com.
About Memphis Football Club
Memphis Football Club is a USL League Two expansion club launching in 2026 with a mission to develop elite soccer talent while building a strong connection with the Memphis community. The club is committed to creating a pathway for local players to advance to collegiate and professional opportunities while delivering a high-level soccer experience for fans across the Mid-South.
