Interim Head Coach Zak Gordon to Step Away After FC Naples’ Second Straight Playoff Run
NAPLES, FL — [November 6, 2026] — FC Naples Interim Head Coach Zak Gordon will depart the club after leading Southwest Florida’s first professional soccer team from 14th place in the USL League One standings to its second straight playoff berth, a turnaround that earned him USL League One Coach of the Month honors for October.
Promoted from assistant coach midseason, Gordon quickly made his mark. He helped turn around a losing streak, rallied the locker room behind a shared purpose and brought an aggressive, attack-minded approach. His strength and determination carried FC Naples up the table and into the postseason for the second time in as many seasons.
Now that the season has concluded, Gordon will be relocating to New Jersey with his fiancée, where the couple plans to start their life together and be closer to both of their families.
The FC Naples executive team, players and fans are grateful for everything Gordon has contributed to the club as both an assistant coach and head coach, and wish him the very best as he moves forward in his next position.
“During my time working with Zak, he has proven to be a coach any club would be fortunate to have, and I want to thank him for his consistent hard work throughout his time at the club,” said FC Naples Sporting Director Sean Howe. “His work ethic, attention to detail and impact on our performance environment have been evident throughout his time leading the group. At the end of the day, we explored the option for Zak to stay, but family comes first, and we respect the decision he and his fiancée have made. As a club, we want to wish them continued success.”
“I have truly loved my time with FC Naples,” Gordon said. “I admire the resilience and commitment of our players and staff, and it has been an honor to lead this team in front of FC Naples supporters. I am eternally grateful for the support that this club and community have provided me and my family. FC Naples gave me the opportunity to grow as a coach, leader and person, and it wasn’t an easy decision to step away from a club that has given me so much. I would like to thank this extremely special group of players that wore the FC Naples crest in 2026 for trusting me to see out the season as their head coach. A special thank-you goes out to assistant coaches Chris Gores and Tony Halterman, who have been instrumental in helping turn our fortunes around in the second half of the season. And lastly, I would like to thank Sean Howe, Roberto Moreno and Daniel Mildenberg for providing our staff and team with the support we needed daily to have such an exciting final run of the 2026 season. I have no doubt the club will continue to be successful in the future. Thank you again, Naples.”
FC Naples has begun a search for its next head coach and will announce a successor at a later date.
About FC Naples
FC Naples is Southwest Florida’s first professional soccer team, based at the state-of-the-art Paradise Coast Sports Complex in Naples, Florida. FC Naples has reached the USL League One playoffs in each of its first two seasons, including a 2025 inaugural campaign in which the club finished fourth in the regular-season standings and became the first expansion team in league history to host and win a playoff match. The club’s mission is to create a world-class family experience and forge a title-contending team to be the pride of Southwest Florida. FC Naples’ crest, colors and culture reflect the community’s rich history of strength and resilience, as well as a deep connection to the beaches and waterways that have shaped the region. Learn more at www.FCNaples.com.
