1 of 11Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Real Salt Lake's new coach Mike Petke speaks during a news conference Wednesday March 29 at
Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Real Salt Lake's new coach Mike Petke speaks during a news conference Wednesday March 29 at Rio Tinto Stadium. Team owner Dell Loy Hansen, left.
Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Real Salt Lake's new coach Mike Petke speaks during a news conference Wednesday March 29 atAl Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Real Salt Lake Owner Dell Loy Hansen speaks at press conference at Rio Tinto Stadium WednesdAl Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Real Salt Lake team owner Dell Loy Hansen, new head coach Mike Petke, and General Manager CrAl Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Real Salt Lake Owner Dell Loy Hansen speaks at press conference at Rio Tinto Stadium WednesdAl Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Real Salt Lake VP/Soccer Administration Rob Zarkos , left, team owner Dell Loy Hansen, new hAl Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Real Salt Lake's new coach Mike Petke speaks during a news conference Wednesday March 29 atAl Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Real Salt Lake Owner Dell Loy Hansen, right, shakes hands with the team's new coach Mike PetAl Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Real Salt Lake's new coach Mike Petke speaks during a news conference Wednesday March 29 atAl Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Real Salt Lake's new coach Mike Petke speaks during a news conference Wednesday March 29 atAl Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Real Salt Lake's new coach Mike Petke speaks during a news conference Wednesday March 29 atAl Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
RSL General Manager Craig Waibel, left, and RSL Owner Dell Loy Hansen, right, welcome new
Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Real Salt Lake's new coach Mike Petke speaks during a news conference Wednesday March 29 at Rio Tinto Stadium. Team owner Dell Loy Hansen, left.Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Real Salt Lake Owner Dell Loy Hansen speaks at press conference at Rio Tinto Stadium Wednesday March 29 in which Mike Petke was announced Real Salt Lake's new head coach.Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Real Salt Lake team owner Dell Loy Hansen, new head coach Mike Petke, and General Manager Craig Waibel at news conference Wednesday March 29 at Rio Tinto Stadium.Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Real Salt Lake Owner Dell Loy Hansen speaks at press conference at Rio Tinto Stadium Wednesday March 29 in which Mike Petke was announced Real Salt Lake's new head coach.Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Real Salt Lake VP/Soccer Administration Rob Zarkos , left, team owner Dell Loy Hansen, new head coach Mike Petke, and General Manager Craig Waibel at news conference Wednesday March 29 at Rio Tinto Stadium.Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Real Salt Lake's new coach Mike Petke speaks during a news conference Wednesday March 29 at Rio Tinto Stadium.Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Real Salt Lake Owner Dell Loy Hansen, right, shakes hands with the team's new coach Mike Petke at announcment at Rio Tinto Stadium Wednesday March 29.Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Real Salt Lake's new coach Mike Petke speaks during a news conference Wednesday March 29 at Rio Tinto Stadium.Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Real Salt Lake's new coach Mike Petke speaks during a news conference Wednesday March 29 at Rio Tinto Stadium. Team owner Dell Loy Hansen, left.Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Real Salt Lake's new coach Mike Petke speaks during a news conference Wednesday March 29 at Rio Tinto Stadium. Team owner Dell Loy Hansen, left.Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
RSL General Manager Craig Waibel, left, and RSL Owner Dell Loy Hansen, right, welcome new coach Mike Petke during a news conference Wednesday March 29 at Rio Tinto Stadium.
This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Sandy • Mike Petke was unveiled as Real Salt Lake's fourth coach Wednesday afternoon at Rio Tinto Stadium. The 41-year-old from Long Island, N.Y., recently served as coach of Real Monarchs, the club's USL affiliate, before being chosen as the man to succeed Jeff Cassar.
"I love the pressure on me and I want to make this a success," Petke said.
Petke led the Red Bulls to their lone major trophy as a franchise when New York hoisted the 2013 Supporters' Shield in his first season as coach. Petke coached such names as Thierry Henry, Tim Cahill, Dax McCarty, Bradley Wright-Phillips and former RSL players Fabian Espindola and Jamison Olave.
The Red Bulls went 30-19-19 in two seasons and made the Eastern Conference finals in consecutive seasons under Petke.
"Mike's leadership skills were screaming," RSL owner Dell Loy Hansen said. "We needed someone who could lead youth — he understood the youth program — he was humbled that he would take the Monarchs job and did the best he could. He never once lobbied to be the RSL coach."
Petke said he plans to maintain the RSL coaching staff as it stands. Assistants Daryl Shore, Tyrone Marshall and Freddy Juarez will continue as his support staff. Petke added that Shore will serve as interim head coach throughout the week and through the road match at Minnesota United on Saturday afternoon.
Hansen said RSL interviewed more than 10 candidates during the process.