The FC Dallas family is deeply saddened to share the passing of former coach John Thomas, who spent nearly a decade with our organization and left an indelible mark on our club, players, and community.
John joined FC Dallas in June 2012 after serving as Assistant Director of Coaching at US Youth Soccer, just across our parking lot. From 2012 to 2022, he served as the Lead Coach of our Junior Boys Program, overseeing the development of our U7, U8, U9, and U10 boys teams. In this role, he coached some of our youngest players, helping them fall in love with the game and laying the foundation for their growth both on and off the field.
John’s impact went far beyond his coaching assignments. He played a key role in organizing player placement and coordinating training sessions for entire age groups. If you passed through the FC Dallas youth boys’ system during his tenure, chances are you spent time learning, laughing, and growing under John's guidance.
He was also instrumental in growing the club’s community presence, leading the soccer curriculum and staffing for our partner and community soccer clinics. His passion for teaching extended to neighborhoods across North Texas, helping broaden access to the game he loved.
On the field, John created environments where kids could be themselves: play freely, make mistakes, and learn with joy. Off the field, he was a gentle soul: kind, knowledgeable, and unwaveringly committed to helping every player he encountered. It's no exaggeration to say he impacted thousands of players and families during his time with FC Dallas.
We are grateful for John’s years of service, and we extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched.
He will be missed - but never forgotten.