Greenville Leader

Greenville Triumph SC Sporting Director John Harkes was named USL League One Coach of the Month for October.

"This is not a coach of the month award. This is a collective award,” Harkes said in a team press release. “Our staff and players have been fantastic during this run and I want to thank them all. The drive the guys have shown during this stretch has been tremendous, and I look forward to hopefully carrying this momentum into the playoffs."

Harkes was tabbed with the honor after guiding the club to an undefeated month at 4-0-1, and during which the Triumph did not concede a goal. 

The October surge helped the Triumph ascend in the standings to earn a second seed and a first-round bye in the League One playoffs.

Harkes' coaching skills were highlighted last month after the team achieved a two-month undefeated streak while conceding only four goals in nine matches to compile a 6-0-3 record over the final quarter of the regular season. 

The high point of the run occurred Oct. 9, when Greenville bested top-ranked Union Omaha on the road, according to the team release.

The honor is the third overall for Harkes, who was previously recognized in July and September 2020, which saw him end that season being named Coach of the Year after the Triumph's title win.