Heaps takes Charge?

Jay Heaps is set to be named the Revs 6th head coach, according to reports. (Photo by Art Donahue/artdonahue.com)

According to the Boston Globe, Massachusetts native and former New England Revolution defender Jay Heaps is set to be named the Revolution’s sixth head coach on Tuesday. Heaps, who in 2009 retired from playing after 11 years in Major League Soccer, his final nine with the Revs, will replace Steve Nicol who was relieved of his coaching duties after New England missed out on the postseason for the second consecutive season this year.

Heaps was a part of all four Revs squads that reached the MLS Cup in 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2007. He also won the U.S. Open Cup with the team in 2007 and the SuperLiga in 2008.  In his final season with the Revs, Heaps earned a call-up to the U.S. National Team for the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup and appeared in four matches for the U.S.

At the time of his retirement, Heaps had played more games for the Revolution in all competitions (294) than any other player. He was inducted into the New England Soccer Hall of Fame this year.

Despite his impressive playing career, the Longmeadow native has no experience or licenses coaching at the professional level as either an assistant or a head coach making him a bit of an unconventional choice. Heaps has spent the past two years as the color commentator on the Revolution TV broadcasts and working for Morgan Stanley.

According to the article, the Revs will announce Heaps as coach on Tuesday and hold a press conference on Wednesday.