Jim Curtin has a special connection with the fans in Philadelphia

Jim Curtin is currently the longest tenured coach in Philadelphia for professional sports. Curtin took control of the Philadelphia Union in 2014 and has taken the team to new heights. Every year, the team got better with the help of the front office and Curtin putting together a solid starting XI combined with a strong formation and tactics.

Since 2014, We saw the Flyers go through 6 head coaches, The Sixers have gone through 2, The Eagles have had 4 and the Phillies have gone through 5 managers. Head coaches know that their shelf lives aren’t meant to last forever and understand that their message will either sour with the players and fans. Another thing coaches typically know that their coaching style along with their tactics tend to become more obsolete unless they are able to evolve and make adjustments both in game and during the week through practice/training.

While the city has had coaches and players that have formed special bonds with the city, Jim Curtin seems to have a special place in the Philadelphia Union’s fans hearts. Could it be that Curtin was born and raised in the Philadelphia area? Could it be that Curtin played college soccer at Villanova? Maybe it was the way Curtin worked his way up through the ranks from the Academy.

Whatever the case is, there is one reason why the fans love him. It has been the amount of success he has brought to this young franchise, not to mention how close Curtin and this team came to bringing home the MLS Cup. You can see the clear improvement not just from the players, but from Curtin himself as well.

There is just a swagger that Curtin brings and a calm he maintains. From the way he dresses to how he carries himself, Curtin is the embodiment of calm, cool and collected. While there is definitely still some things Jim Curtin can learn, I think his improvements have shone through in a variety of ways. Every moment is an opportunity to learn and from afar, it seems like Jim Curtin carries all of those moments with him.

All of that is what embodies Philadelphia. A hard-working city that demands both everything you have but also to be a winner is what defines the typical Philly fan. The average fan will have the back of both the coaches and athletes as long as they are doing everything, they can to both win and improve. Not everyone is going to be the best that they can be every game, but as long as you leave it all on the field and have nothing left to give, you have nothing to worry about.

Curtin also makes sure to thank fans every game. Whether its walking around the field postgame showing his appreciation or talking about the fans in the press conference, Curtin loves this city and the fans. Ultimately, I believe Curtin isn’t going anywhere and will resign with the Union. What higher honor would it be to coach the hometown team to the ultimate prize?