Rick Schantz
Personal information
Full name Richard Lewis Schantz
Place of birth Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1993–1996 Portland Pilots
Managerial career
2011–2017 FC Tucson
2017 Phoenix Rising (interim)
2018–2022 Phoenix Rising

Richard Lewis Schantz is an American soccer coach. He co-founded FC Tucson in 2010 and was its first head coach. He was also head coach of Phoenix Rising FC in the USL Championship.[1][2]

Coaching record

As of August 4, 2021
Team From To Record
G W L T Win %
FC Tucson October 10, 2010 January 8, 2017 110 71 22 17 064.55
Phoenix Rising FC (Interim) April 24, 2017 May 21, 2017 7 3 4 0 042.86
Phoenix Rising FC (Interim) June 12, 2018 November 13, 2018 24 15 7 2 062.50
Phoenix Rising FC November 14, 2018 August 17, 2022 68 47 11 10 069.12
Career totals 209 136 44 29 065.07

Honors

Personal life

Schantz is a native of Tucson, Arizona, and graduated from Salpointe Catholic High School.[3]

Homophobia controversy

During a Phoenix Rising game with San Diego Loyal on September 30, 2020, midfielder Junior Flemmings was accused of using a Jamaican homophobic slur against the openly gay Loyal midfielder Collin Martin.[4][5] Loyal, who had been leading 3–1 up to that point, walked off the field in protest and forfeited the match.[4][5]

Video capturing an exchange between Rising coach Rich Schantz and Loyal coach Landon Donovan over the incident led to claims of Schantz telling Donovan that the incident was "part of the game,"[6] that the players were "competing,"[7] as well as accusations that Schantz tried to downplay the incident.[3] Schantz later denied such accusations, saying his words were "misconstrued,"[8] and that he was not excusing "any alleged homophobic behavior" from his players.[3]

The incident led to an investigation by USL Championship,[9] and Schantz was placed on administrative leave following the incident. Team officials say Schantz's placement on administrative leave was unrelated to the investigation,[8] but did later say the administrative leave was related to his initial reaction to the incident, which team officials categorized as "dismissive".[10] Schantz later apologized to Martin, as well as his team, the USL Championship league, and the LGBTQ community over the incident,[10] and subsequently resumed his coaching duties on October 21.[10]

Leaves Phoenix Rising FC

Schantz parted ways with Phoenix Rising FC on August 17, 2022.[11]

References

  1. ^ "USA - R. Schantz - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". au.soccerway.com. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  2. ^ "Rick Schantz". www.phxrisingfc.com. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  3. ^ a b c Cluff, Jeremy (October 1, 2020). "Former FC Tucson coach Rick Schantz: I was 'in no way excusing' alleged homophobic slur". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
  4. ^ a b Estrada, Lorenzino (September 30, 2020). "San Diego players walk off field in protest against Phoenix Rising FC, claim homophobic slur used". Arizona Republic. azcentral. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  5. ^ a b Zeigler, Mark (September 30, 2020). "San Diego Loyal walks off field after alleged homophobic slur". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  6. ^ Mendola, Nicholas (October 6, 2020). "USL Championship suspends Flemmings for homophobic slur". NBC Sports. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
  7. ^ "Team's forfeit over alleged homophobic slur shows there's "something bigger at stake," coach Landon Donovan says". CBS News. October 2, 2020. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
  8. ^ a b "Phoenix Rising coach responds after player accused of using homophobic slur". KNXV-TV. October 1, 2020. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
  9. ^ "SD Loyal ask for respect for player, coach and Phoenix Rising team over homophobic slur allegation". KFMB-TV. October 4, 2020. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
  10. ^ a b c "Rick Schantz Resumes as Phoenix Rising FC Head Coach". Phoenix Rising FC. October 21, 2020. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  11. ^ Minnick, Jason (August 17, 2022). "Phoenix Rising FC and Head Coach Rick Schantz Mutually Agree to Part Ways". Phoenix Rising FC. Retrieved August 17, 2022.


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