Ex-Canada assistant to coach NWSL Thorns, succeeding fellow Canadian Wilkinson
'Tactical genius' Mike Norris joined Portland a year ago after stint with Canada Soccer
Mike Norris landed in B.C. in 2005, looking to travel across Canada as part of a yearlong trip. The Newcastle, England native never made it past Vancouver.
Norris went on to build his coaching career with University of British Columbia, Vancouver Whitecaps and Canada Soccer before joining the Portland Thorns last January as an assistant to head coach Rhian Wilkinson.
On Monday, the 43-year-old was elevated to head coach of the defending National Women's Soccer League champion Thorns, filling the void left when Wilkinson, a former Canadian international, resigned Dec. 2.
"The players love him. They've bought into him. His character is phenomenal," said Portland general manager Karina LeBlanc, a former Canadian goalkeeper who called Norris a "tactical genius."
Norris joined Wilkinson's staff last January after eight years as a coach with Canada Soccer, where most recently he served as the set play and goalkeeper coach for the senior women's team, helping it to gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Wilkinson resigned after an investigation into a relationship with one of her players. While she was cleared of any wrongdoing, Wilkinson says she agreed to leave her post at the behest of Thorns players.
Christine Sinclair, who captains both Portland and Canada, was one of the Thorns players who took to social media to welcome Norris' appointment.
"Cannot wait to get the season started! Great coach, great person! Let's go!" she wrote.
"A great coach, incredibly knowledgeable and passionate! But an even better human. Looking forward to Mike in this role!" added Thorns forward Janine Beckie, a fellow Canadian.
Thorns among 6 clubs facing fines
Norris' appointment came the same day the NWSL announced sanctions arising from a joint independent investigation initiated by the league and NWSL Players Association into "complaints of discrimination, harassment, abuse (physical, emotional or sexual) and retaliation" within the league.
That includes a $1 million US penalty for Portland, one of six NWSL clubs facing fines arising from the probe.
Portland owner Merritt Paulson, who is in the process of selling the Thorns, had previously pledged that amount to support the establishment of an NWSL player safety office. Former Portland coach Paul Riley was one of four former managers handed a lifetime ban by the league.
Norris, who is married with two daughters, becomes the fifth head coach in Thorns history.
He said he never planned to end up in Canada, but met his future wife in Vancouver and never left.
Norris served as an assistant coach with the Canadian senior women's team from 2019 to 2021. Before that, he served as an assistant coach with the women's under-17 team and goalkeeping coach and interim head coach with the under-20 side.
He also served as the head goalkeeping coach for the Vancouver Whitecaps youth residency program and was goalkeeping coach with the UBC women's team.
The 40-year-old Wilkinson, from Baie d'Urfe, Que., won 181 caps for Canada during a senior career that stretched from 2003 to 2017 and won a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics.
WATCH | Wilkinson, Thorns GM LeBlanc reflect on championship run:
League bans 4 from coaching
The NWSL permanently barred four people from coaching as part of Monday's disciplinary action.
Former North Carolina coach Paul Riley, ex-Chicago Red Stars coach Rory Dames, former Washington Spirit bench boss Richie Burke and ex-Racing Louisville coach Christy Holly were all banned from coaching in the league. Also, former Utah Royals coach Craig Harrington and former Gotham general manager Alyse LaHue were suspended from working in the NWSL for two years, until Jan. 9, 2025.
The NWSL and its players association announced results late last month of its investigation, which found "widespread misconduct" directed at players dating back to the beginnings of the league nearly a decade ago.
The investigation stemmed from allegations of harassment and sexual coercion made by two former players against Riley, who was among five NWSL coaches who were either dismissed or resigned amid claims of misconduct in 2021. U.S. Soccer also investigated reported misconduct in the league.
"The league will continue to prioritize implementing and enhancing the policies, programs and systems that put the health and safety of our players first," NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman said in a statement Monday. "Those actions are fundamental to the future of our league, especially as we build a league that strengthens our players' ability to succeed and prosper on and off the pitch."
A number of other individuals will be allowed to return to positions in the NWSL on certain conditions, including acknowledging misconduct, participating in training and committing to appropriate behaviour. They included former Reign coach Farid Benstiti, former Houston Dash coaches Vera Pauw and James Clarkson, former Orlando Pride coach Amanda Cromwell and assistants Sam Greene and Aline Reis.
Several teams were also fined: The Chicago Red Stars fine is $1.5 million, Racing Louisville $200,000 and the North Carolina Courage $100,000. The Regin and Gotham were each fined $50,000.
"A new NWSL begins today. No sanction will ever be enough to undo the harm that too many players endured," union President Tori Huster said. "By taking our power back, players have achieved a complete and total overhaul of the NWSL ecosystem, from the league office to club ownership and staff, with new policies and systems in place to protect player safety."
With files from The Associated Press
