Michael Hannon will join the Santa Barbara Soccer Club as its Executive Director on July 1, 2026, ushering in a new chapter for a program that has been steadily expanding its footprint in Southern California.
Hannon arrives after a varied career that includes stints as Executive and Technical Director at 1974 Newark FC, where he oversaw a surge in membership and refined the club’s player advancement pathways, as well as coaching roles at NCAA Division I, II and III institutions, a development period with Swansea City A.F.C.’s academy in Wales, and scouting assignments for Oakland Roots SC.
A Clear Path Forward
His mandate at SBSC will center on four pillars: communication, player pathways, club identity and facilities. He intends to tighten lines of dialogue across the organization, ensure that youth academy graduates have transparent routes to senior competition, cultivate a culture that players can rally behind, and upgrade the club’s infrastructure to meet growing demand.
SBSC President Sheralyn Bates said she is excited to welcome Hannon, citing his ability to listen, build trust and deliver results. “Michael’s blend of strategic vision and hands‑on leadership aligns perfectly with where we want to go,” Bates added.
Under Bates’s guidance, the club has broadened its reach and is now poised for its next phase of growth, a transition that Hannon says will be guided by data‑driven decisions and community engagement.