Sports
Columbus Crew’s Wilfred Nancy understands that being a black coach in MLS is about more than just winning
“Do you understand the unexpected? That’s the way it was for me,” says Wilfried Nancy, leaning forward as we sit on the Goat Tree Cafe in Santa Barbara, California, on a sunny day.
The Columbus Crew head coach’s journey is punctuated by firsts. Of eight Black coaches in the 29-year history of MLS, Nancy is the primary to win the MLS Cup. Often it is an orchestrated fate, a hand-picked circumstance, a celestial alignment to be “first,” and Nancy, having knocked the door off its hinges in December 2023 in Columbus, Ohio, stands high in the doorway, leading the trail for others.
I nod and say to myself, “Yes, I do know that word ‘unexpectedly.’
Nancy’s way of pondering might be aptly described as follows: the past is prologue. “I’m a present-moment guy. For me, the past is something that helps me construct the long run,” said the 46-year-old. “Yes, I have a clear vision of who I want to become as a person and also as a coach. But I can only control the present moments. That’s why I learned to live in the present moment and be myself.”
Known in league circles for his ability to adapt tactics based on his teams’ strengths, he creates game plans that are each dynamic and effective.
“My code is: be yourself, because everyone else is already taken,” he said.
Jason Mowry/Getty Images
Columbus Crew co-owner Dee Haslam, who leads essentially the most diverse front office and technical staff in the MLS league and is the primary woman to win the MLS Cup twice, is not surprised by Nancy’s success.
“Well, I tell you, we go through a pretty intense process when we’re selecting coaches, we talk to a lot of people who know him from all sides,” Haslam said. “We knew he was an incredible leader, a great communicator and a really, really good person who exuded passion and enthusiasm for the sport.”
Nancy said, “When I came upon Columbus wanted me, yes, I had one other offer. The people I work with are really essential. Is there a connection to my vision and organization? And for me, as I sat with them, a lot of the values that we share are the identical.
None of that is lost on crew captain and four-time MLS Cup champion Darlington Nagbe, who is entering his 14th season in MLS.
“You always look around the league and see how few black coaches there are,” Nagbe said. “I feel like when Wilfried came here it was just a great opportunity, at the right club, with the right players, you know?”
Robin Fraser, the 2021 MLS Coach of the Year runner-up who led the Colorado Rapids to the Western Conference regular season title, said: “A club that supports, senior management that supports, Haslams and when you add all the right ingredients together and then you will get the same results as them.”
Senior management is led by President and CEO Tim Bezbatchenko.
“You definitely need to make sacrifices for the nice of the entire, the club or the team. But it’s amazing when the whole lot comes together like last yr,” Bezbatchenko said. “The pay is great.”
As “Bez” and I sit in crew training in the course of the final week of preseason on the Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club, he expresses his gratitude for the chance to do what he loves. “We are in a fortunate situation,” he said. “The attitude is, let’s do something really meaningful. Let’s be brave, let’s be brave.”
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Nancy’s story is not just about achievements on the sector, however the essence of a coach whose journey can leave a mark on the craft.
“How do I communicate my why? My reasons are clear, but I need to convince you that it’s not for me, but because you believe it’s good for you,” Nancy said about how she communicates with players. “So broadcasting is about understanding people. This is the most important nuance.”
Nancy focuses his gaze. “You need empathy. And when you do not feel comfortable with that, you are in trouble. My job is to not win because I do know I actually have to win. However, I would like to develop some tools so that players can assist them, and I treat it as teaching and as a every day job. I actually imagine in sensitivity. Sometimes as a coach you’ve gotten to be vulnerable as a human being.
We talk, exchanging thoughts, ideas and principles, from his insight into the sport as a former center back, to training drills that provide three or 4 solutions.
Nagbe who is the very best player in the world holding the ball under pressure, said: “Coach really wants the guys, not just me but a group of guys, to take control and help shape the identity of the team,” he said.
I would like to be myself and take a look at to win the best way I would like. Yes, I would like to encourage people. To encourage people, you’ve gotten to think outside the box,” said Nancy.
Nagbe said: “Obviously he has orchestrated the best way he wants us to play, but he wants us to steer the culture, lead the dressing room and lead that way. I would like all these people to take control and take responsibility for what we are attempting to do.
“Even if we try something, if we expect something, if we try it, we’ll do it. It doesn’t work, don’t mind throwing it away. He’s not too happy with it. He’s blissful that we tried it, it’s a process and he’s blissful that we took ownership and tried something different.
Nancy, like many black coaches who worked tirelessly under the radar, lit up the whole coaching community.
“I was happy when he got the job,” Fraser said. “Obviously he did exceptionally well. I all the time thought he was a really classy guy, the best way he handled himself. My first thought was that I used to be very blissful for him. And my second thought was: f…! I used to be presupposed to be the primary. I absolutely appreciate the importance.
“Last yr I went to Columbus and we exchanged texts and congratulatory letters and stuff like that over time. I do not know Wilfried’s wife in any respect, but he told me that she told him to say hello and phone me. We really felt that there weren’t a lot of us and that we must always maintain one another.
Sometimes essentially the most inspiring people do not understand that they encourage other people. But Nancy understands the duty.
“For me, trophies and stuff are not the most important thing,” Nancy said. “There is something more important than a trophy. Yes, I want to be inspired again by great humility, but I also want to convince people that we can do a lot.”
In the sports industry value a billion dollars there isn’t any image more quietly threatening to the system than a robust, engaged black father.
We see it time and again.
Lavar Ball is known as boastful.
Deion Sanders is known as selfish.
Richard Williams was crazy long before the world learned the names Venus and Serena.
Lebron James is in some way criticized for being too publicly supporting his son Brony.
Earl Woods was presented as a controlling character, even when he raised one of the biggest golfers he had ever seen.
Cecil Newton Sr. He met with public control simply following his son CAM.
The plan is evident: when the black father stands at the center of his child’s success – leading, protecting, moving away from exploitation – the media paint him as an issue.
As Egomaniak.
As someone “bothers”.
Why?
Because strong black fathers disturb the narrative.
The system is just not only invested in the talent of black athletes – it invests in controlling them.
A young black athlete without suggestions is less complicated to control. Easier to pay. Easier to face against others. Easier to the brand, profit and reject when it’s comfortable.
A powerful black father changes the terms of the contract.
Requires higher contracts.
He asks about coaching decisions.
It protects the mental health of your child from the franchise.
He reminds the world that his son or daughter is just not only an asset – but a human being along with his family, dreams and dignity.
And that is where real fear lies.
The image of a united black family – not broken, absent, not broken – a challenge of deeply rooted stereotypes on which American society has long been about the justification of inequalities.
A powerful black man standing next to his child and says that he is just not perceived as an act of love, but as an act of revolt.
It is less complicated to submit a father than to confess that the system is designed to make use of athletes, while they’re young, sensitive and isolated.
It is less complicated to make fun of yourself than to confront the truth:
Black families who stick together support one another and are fiercely in favor of their very own, are irrefutable, not a threat.
When Deion Sanders tells his sons that they’re kings, not goods, it worries the old order.
When Richard Williams insists that his daughters are larger than tennis, he prescribes the rules.
When Lavar Ball dreams loudly for his sons, he scares a system that prefers black athletes to be grateful and quiet.
But let’s be clear:
It is just not their trust that threatens the sports industry.
It’s their love.
Their refusal to permission to their children used and rejected to the side.
Their impudence is consider that they deserve sitting at the table – and pull up the chair without not asking for permission.
Black fathers in sport should not villains.
They are architects.
They are defenders.
These are a shield between industries value a billion dollars and kids, otherwise they consumed.
Or possibly this can be a real story that America doesn’t wish to tell.
”
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“Ball Up Top” is a weekly NBA video series in which David Dennis Jr. With AndScape he talks about hot topics in the league and popular culture with special guests in addition to personalities and sejds.
In episode 8, David is joined by a senior author Justin Tinsley to debate Los Angeles Lakers, who was rejected from Playoffs and what to do next. In addition, a really exciting opera clip that David cannot stop enthusiastic about.
Episode 8, 2 May 2025
Host: David Dennis Jr.
Guests: Justin Tinsley
Manufacturers: Charles Abankwa, Ryan Cortes, Rodney Davis, Chris Gavin, Charles Peach
Archives
Episode 1 (March 7, 2025): Quentin Richardson on Phoenix Suns, his moment “Welcome to the NBA” and beef with “Nad edge”
Episode 2 (March 14, 2025): Plus/Minus! Nikola Jokic (not) MVP, whose Knicks and Lakers don’t need to see, asks Cooper Flagg
Episode 3 (March 21, 2025): Danny Green evaluates his pretenders to the Western Conference, members of the Abrevocal Team
Episode 4 (March 28, 2025): Talking Heat Culture after the outbreak of warriors, more plus/minus
Episode 5 (April 4, 2025): The most vital games left in the NBA schedule
Episode 6 (April 17, 2025): Kazeem Famuyide talks NBA Playoffs, Wrestlemania 41, Army X
Episode 7 (April 24, 2025): Which NBA Playoffs teams are cooked/not cooked?
Sports
Lebron James is not sure what will happen after leaving Playoff Los Angeles Lakers: “I have no answer to it”
On Wednesday evening, Lebron James, Luka Dončič and Los Angeles Lakers lost to Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert, the full of life Julius Randle and Minnesota Timberwolves, 103-96, within the match of the primary round of Playoff of the Western Conference, losing 4-1. This loss ended the Lakers season-the second exit from the primary round in a row-their records of 50-32 and 3-nance within the West.
This season, limited by the legendary (historical, crazy, etc.) in the course of the season, talent talent NBA All-Nba Dončič Lakersom in exchange for NBA All-Star (and a member of Lakers within the NBA championships) Anthony Davis, was perceived by many as a likelihood for lakers for an additional title. These hopes were broken through the series, when Edwards continued to delight analysts and fans together with his determination and will to win.
Of course, because it happens yearly, when James’s teams lose in Playoffs (James has 4 NBA championship rings – two with Miami Heat and one in every of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers), He was asked through the pressure after the match for his thoughts about his future (And retirement) When he closed his twenty second season within the NBA.
“I don’t know. I have no answer to it. Something to sit with my family, wife and support group and I will just talk about it and see what will happen. And just talk to each other as I want to continue playing.”
Of course, James was asked how the list may very well be improved to (hopefully) to provide higher probabilities for Playoffs next 12 months, if he returns; James is until June 29 to choose a contract with the lakeers for the 2025-2026 campaign, which might pay him $ 52.6 million. Otherwise he would change into a free agent.
“It’s business,” probably said the largest player of the NBA of all time. “So you don’t know what the list will look like next year, except for guys who (they are) closed in contracts. S …, I have a lot to think about myself. So I don’t know what the list will look like. I don’t know where I stand now.”
In particular, James-who’s son Lebron “Brony” James, Jr., has a contract with Lakers until the season 2027-2028-was instrumental in his son, putting the Lakers uniform and the addition of a coach, JJ Redick. Redick and James had a podcast together wherein they talked about basketball, before Redick was announced with the brand new Lakers coach.
James, asked to make clear his comments concerning the contract, made sure that he did not consider (now) other teams wherein you’ll be able to play, but his desire to play.
“I just continue playing, I don’t know where I am. That’s how it is. I’m not coming back to play here. Just play, dot.”
He continued: “To be honest, I don’t know the answer, so we’ll see.”
It seems that the summer of 2025 will be thoughtful at James’s house.
(Tagstranslate) Lebron James (T) Los Angeles Lakers (T) NBA Playoffs
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