Wilmington Hammerheads FC appointed Mark Briggs head coach for the upcoming 2016 USL regular season. The team made the announcement in a recent news release, stating that Briggs began his new role Nov. 1.
 
“I am very honored and excited to be named head coach of Wilmington Hammerheads FC,” Briggs said in the release. “My goal is to continue the tradition of excellence in this community. Wilmington has become home and I am blessed and honored to lead this team.”
 
Briggs was the club’s assistant coach during the 2015 USL regular season alongside former head coach Carson Porter. Porter stepped down from the role in September.
 
The early appointment, according to the release, will allow Briggs ample time to plan and prepare for the upcoming season, especially with regard to player recruitment and scouting.
 
General manager Jason Arnold said in the release that Briggs “brings great playing experience both abroad and in the USL and his knowledge of the game and our league will support his coaching ability. This is a win for our club and for our community. Mark is very well-known and liked in Wilmington and his appointment will help us continue to push our culture of ‘One Club. One City. One Community.’“
 
A former Hammerheads player, Briggs has a professional playing career that extends back to 1998.