RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Kickers have named Brian Ownby the ninth Head Coach in club history, Chairman and CEO Rob Ukrop announced Wednesday.
The Glen Allen, Va., native and former longtime professional player will assume the role after being named interim head coach on June 15. Ownby led the technical staff through the remaining four months of the regular season, serving under the interim title for the final 22 matches of the 2026 campaign. He closed out the season with two wins in his final three matches at City Stadium while guiding an improved offensive front that scored 16 goals in its final nine matches. During that stretch, several players showed continued growth, including Tarik Pannholzer and Lucca Dourado, who combined for 11 goal contributions, including eight goals, over the final eight matches of the regular season.
“I am honored and grateful to be named the ninth Head Coach of the Richmond Kickers,” Ownby said. “I would like to thank Rob Ukrop, Camp Peery, and everyone within the organization for their trust and confidence in me to bring my vision to life on the field. I am excited for what lies ahead and look forward to building something special together.”
One of the most successful professional soccer players to emerge from the Richmond area, Ownby returns to his hometown with extensive experience winning at the highest levels of the game, both domestically and internationally. Following a standout career at Deep Run High School, which included a VHSL State Title, Ownby starred at the University of Virginia. During his four seasons in Charlottesville, he made 72 appearances, scoring 21 goals and adding 10 assists. His collegiate career was highlighted by a golden-goal strike in the NCAA College Cup national semifinal, earning him a spot on the College Cup All-Tournament Team and helping propel the Cavaliers to the national final.
On the international stage, Ownby represented the United States at multiple youth levels, including the U-20 National Team at the FIFA U-20 World Cup, where he scored against Cameroon. Exposure to elite competition at a young age helped shape a professional career defined by a tireless work rate and an unwavering desire to compete and win at every level.
“For me, I want to bring back an enjoyable product out there on the field,” Ownby said. “Something that matches what the fans believe in, what I believe in, what ownership believes in and the way I played the game. That’s the way I want to lead this group.”
Following college, Ownby was selected in the 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft by Houston Dynamo FC, where he made 29 MLS appearances across three seasons. He gained valuable experience during loan stints throughout the professional pyramid, including impactful spells with the Richmond Kickers, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC and Reading United.
“We are excited to appoint Brian as our Head Coach,” Kickers Chairman and CEO Rob Ukrop said. “His growth over the last several months leading our team in an interim role and commitment to his hometown club convinced us that he is the right person to lead us into the new landscape of the USL. We admire Brian’s ability to identify talent, to connect with this younger generation of players, while holding them to a high standard that will deliver results to the RVA community both on and off the field.”
During his tenure with the Kickers, Ownby flourished and became a consistent fan favorite at City Stadium. Initially joining the club on loan during the 2013 season, he appeared in 21 matches, logging more than 1,500 minutes and recording seven goals and seven assists to finish second on the team in points. His contributions helped the Kickers finish atop the USL Pro table in 2013, earning the Commissioner’s Cup and securing the No. 1 overall seed in the playoffs. Ownby returned to City Stadium for the 2015 and 2016 seasons, playing in over 40 matches. He tallied five goals and four assists over 14 appearances in 2015 before a season-ending injury.
Ownby retired from professional soccer at the conclusion of the 2025 season, ending his career after nine years with Louisville City FC. He finished as Louisville City’s all-time assists leader with 37 between the USL Championship regular season and playoffs. He also ranked third on the club’s all-time scoring chart, fourth in games played and fifth in minutes played. Since signing with the club in 2017, Ownby helped Louisville City win two USL Championship titles (2017 and 2018) and two USL Championship Players’ Shields (2024 and 2025). Overall, Ownby finished his playing career having qualified for the postseason in 13 of his 14 professional seasons, cementing his legacy as not only an elite player on the field but also a serial winner and leader in the locker room.
Ownby will take the reins as the Kickers build towards the club’s historic 35th season in 2027. Stay up to date with all of your Kickers news & content at RichmondKickers.com and on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube. 2027 Season Ticket Memberships are now available – Get your membership today to lock in tremendous savings and exclusive experiences year-round!
