Report: Houston Dash hire Fabrice Gautrat as head coach

(image via Instagram/@fabricegautrat)

According to a report from Jeff Kassouf of Equalizer Soccer, the Houston Dash have made their choice for their next head coach, hiring Fabrice Gautrat for the job. Gautrat was most recently an assistant coach with the North Carolina Courage and was also previously an assistant with the Chicago Red Stars.

The 37-year-old Gautrat played collegiately at San Diego University and The Master’s University before turning pro. He spent time in France with UJA Maccabi before returning to the United States and playing with Orange County Blues and Atlanta Silverbacks.

Gautrat began his coaching career in 2018 as head coach of Chicago United FC’s girls program in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. He was later named Academy Director at the club, as well. Gautrat moved to the professional ranks in 2022, spending one season with Chicago. He moved to North Carolina as an assistant in 2023 and spent the last two NWSL seasons there. He also spent time as an assistant coach with French club Olympique Lyonnais’ academy

Gautrat is married to former USWNT player Morgan Gautrat, formerly Brian. Morgan Gautrat began her career with the Dash after being selected first overall in the 2015 NWSL Draft. She made 33 appearances for Houston before being traded to Chicago in 2017.

The Houston Dash will be looking to Gautrat to lead them through another rebuild as the club looks to rebound from finishing at the bottom of the NWSL table. Gautrat speaks four languages (English, French, Portuguese, Spanish) which will be big in a locker room that has players that speak all four of those. With the additions of Delanie Sheehan, Christen Westphal, and Yazmeen Ryan, Gautrat will now be tasked with leading this new-look Houston side back to respectability and climbing the table toward the playoffs.