The Carolina RailHawks announced today the team has come to an agreement with Martin Rennie to helm the Carolina RailHawks in 2009.

Rennie comes to the RailHawks after spending two very successful seasons with the Cleveland City Stars of USL-2 that have earned him Coach of the Year honors in 2007 and a USL-2 Championship title in 2008.

"We are extremely honored to have coach Rennie join the RailHawks," RailHawks owner Brian Wellman said. "He is a great coach with the mindset of a winner and a proven track record. He is by far the best candidate for the job and will make a difference on the field and in the community."

"I am really looking forward to starting work as the head coach of the Carolina RailHawks," Rennie said. "I believe that the franchise has great potential and an ownership group that is determined to see this potential realized. I hope that we can build an entertaining and successful team on the field that will excite the community and encourage people to become passionate fans of soccer."

A native of Scotland, Rennie is one of the youngest-ever coaches to attain a UEFA ‘A' License. In all, Rennie has attained more than 12 qualifications from the Scottish Football Association or UEFA, including the prestigious Youth License. Rennie is one of only a small number of candidates who has ever been awarded both the UEFA ‘A' License and the Youth License.

He has worked very successfully as the head coach of the Cascade Surge (PDL Team) where he won the Division Championship & Fair-Play Award in the season he coached the team (2005). The team also qualified for the U.S. Open Cup for the only time in its 12-year history.

In 2007, Martin was recognized as the Coach of the Year in the USL-D2 for his work as the head coach of the Cleveland City Stars. During the Cleveland City Stars inaugural year in 2007, Rennie led the team to a regular season with only one defeat while conceding just 14 goals in the entire season. This success was continued in the 2008 season when the Cleveland City Stars, in only its second season in the league, became the USL-D2 Champions.

"We are all very excited and happy for Martin and this new coaching opportunity," Mark Geissbauer, general manager for the Cleveland City Stars, said. "From day one, Martin played an instrumental role in the foundation of our franchise and our success in Cleveland, but we truly believe that this is the right move for him and his family. I am confident that the RailHawks fans, staff and players will benefit greatly from his coaching and ability to bring out the best in every situation. We will surely miss his talents and leadership within the team, but wish him well in this new challenge."

"Martin's departure will certainly be felt throughout the entire CCS organization," Cleveland City Stars Executive Director Aaron Treadway said. "Martin is another testimony to CCS' commitment to the development and promotion of its players, and now, coaches, within the ranks of professional soccer around the world. We are thrilled for Martin and his family and wish God's richest blessing on their continued success. Though we will now be separated by a USL division and club affiliation, Martin, Mark and I will remain great friends and colleagues."

Coach Rennie will move to the area shortly and begin to build the winning team that he will carry into the USL-1 2008 season starting with tryouts that will be held at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary on Dec. 13 and 14.