LEXINGTON, Ky. – Lexington SC today announced that Darren Powell has been appointed head coach for the club's USL League One team entering its second season. Hailing from Nottingham, England, Powell brings a wealth of coaching experience to the club.

"He's got all the key attributes to be able to develop us and move us forward," Lexington Men's Sporting Director Sam Stockley said. "He's going to help develop everybody within the football club, and that's what we're looking for. Darren fits our culture of who we are and what we are trying to do with our identity, but also has that ability to push us forward."

Powell comes to Lexington SC as a veteran in his sport, most recently serving as the Director of Player Development and First Team Assistant Coach at Major League Soccer's (MLS) Inter Miami CF. Previously, Powell was the head coach of Fort Lauderdale CF and Inter Miami CF II head coach in USL League One in 2021 and MLS NEXT Pro in 2022, respectively.

Prior to his time with Miami, Powell served as San Antonio FC's inaugural head coach from 2016 to 2019, leading the USL Championship side to its first postseason appearance in 2017. He also spent time at Orlando City SC from 2014 to 2016, serving as the Academy Director.

Powell was the head coach of Elon University from 2005 to 2014, where he was inducted into the Elon Hall of Fame as the most successful men's soccer coach in school history. Prior to his time with the Phoenix, Powell was an assistant coach at UNC Greensboro from 2001 to 2004 and head coach of Greensboro College from 1998 to 2001.

"I am really grateful and thankful for the opportunity," Powell said. "I would like to thank Bill Shively, Stephen Dawahare and Sam Stockley for the process and the support they have given me. I am very grateful for the opportunity they have provided.

"We're really excited to be in Lexington and looking forward to meeting with the players. We have been meeting with the staff and getting to know them, and everyone has been super welcoming. Soon, we can meet with the fans and engage with the supporters that seem very passionate about Lexington soccer and obviously want to grow that support during the coming months. Very grateful for the fans we have and the support we've been given and looking forward to meeting them."

"Darren is an outstanding coach and an even better person who has great experience in building rosters and coaching successful teams," former Inter Miami CF and current Portland Timbers Head Coach Phil Neville said. "Lexington SC is very lucky to have him!"

Lexington SC continues to build momentum and excitement ahead of its second season with the addition of Powell as head coach following the announcement of the new stadium to open in the summer of 2024 and its new USL Super League women's professional team, Lexington's professional franchise continues to build for the future.