Chattanooga Football Club coach Bill ElliottChattanooga Football Club head coach Bill Elliott was announced Tuesday night as the Alexander Arellano Memorial Trophy winner, awarded to the top head coach in the league. The awards were voted on by teams, coaches and management. In his third season as head coach, Elliott led the Chattanooga club to a 15-3-2 record, a win in the U.S. Open Cup and a runner-up finish in the National Premier Soccer League playoffs.
"I am humbled by the award," Elliott said in a press release. "I feel very blessed to be surrounded by so many good people. "The CFC Board, Sean McDaniel, Jimmy Weekley and our entire staff take great pride in their work, which allows me to focus on my job. This talented group of players were both appreciative and respectful throughout the season as they worked their tails off to get results."
Elliott also thanked his family, as well as the Chattahooligan fan base for their support.
"All of these people deserve an award," he said.
"With that said, I am extremely proud to accept the award on behalf of the entire CFC organization, the city of Chattanooga and everyone associated with us."
CFC general manager Sean McDaniel has watched Elliott take the club to a record of 30-7-6 which includes three Southeast Conference titles; two South Region championships and a pair of national runner-up finishes in his three-year tenure. The club's 3-1 dismantling of the Wilmington Hammerheads of the U.S. Pro League was the NPSL's first over a professional side in the history of the U.S. Open Cup.
"We've always known Bill was going to have success with Chattanooga FC," McDaniel said in the release. "His ability to relate to the players and fans are wonderful traits and clearly give him the ability to reach the top of the profession.
"He absolutely deserves this award."
Wednesday evening, CFC goalkeeper Greg Hartley was named the NPSL Golden Glove award winner as the best goalkeeper in the league. The club posted 10 shutouts during the 2014 season, and Hartley was credited with nine of those.
"Greg is just a phenomenal keeper," Elliott said during the playoffs. "The only reason I could figure out that he's not in the MLS is because he's not 6-foot-4, but his loss is our gain."
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him at twitter.com/genehenleytfp.