Houston Dynamo sign Kenny Bundy to contract extension

Kenny Bundy is staying with Houston Dynamo FC after putting pen to paper on a contract extension, the club announced on Tuesday.

The longtime Dynamo Academy coach will return to the sidelines with Dynamo 2 for the 2023 season. Bundy led the Houston side to a 14-5-5 record in the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro season.

After helping the team clinch a spot in the playoffs, Bundy was pulled away from Dynamo 2 and appointed as the interim coach of the first team for the final five matches of the 2022 MLS season. Bundy led the first team to a 2-2-1 record, including a 2-1 away victory at playoff-bound Nashville SC.

Success with the second team

Under Bundy, Dynamo 2 finished unbeaten at home with a 10-0-1 record and closed their first campaign tied for the fewest goals conceded in the league. Assistant Daniel Roberts took over for the postseason as the club fell in its opening match of the playoffs at Tacoma Defiance.

Success with the second team facilitated opportunities for players like MLS NEXT Pro Best XI selection Talen Maples, fellow defender Micael and midfielder Brooklyn Raines to join the first team on a short-term contract. Forward Roberto Avila scored five goals to start the season and became the first player in MLS NEXT Pro to sign a first-team MLS contract.

FLASHBACK: Q&A: Houston Dynamo 2 head coach Kenny Bundy ahead of MLS Next PRO debut

The Dynamo 2 side also served as an opportunity for minutes for first-team bench options like Ethan Bartlow and Michael Nelson. Dynamo homegrown players like Marcelo Palomino and Juan Castilla, signed to the first team supplemental slots, also had significant time with the second team under Bundy.

The Tulsa, Oklahoma, native joined the club in 2016 and worked as a head coach for the Dynamo Academy U-19 and U-23 teams. Additionally, Bundy coached the former Dynamo USL League 2 affiliate Brazos Valley Cavalry FC in 2019, guiding the team to a Mid-South Division Title and an appearance in that season’s conference finals match.

While he returns with the second team, Bundy has stated his intentions to one day coach in MLS.

What they said

Dynamo 2 coach Kenny Bundy:

"This is an exciting time to be part of the Houston Dynamo and I am grateful for the opportunity provided by ownership, Pat, Asher, and Nick to continue my development in Houston. I am proud of the work we accomplished with Dynamo 2, creating an environment that connects our Academy to our first team, qualifying for the MLS NEXT Pro playoffs, and signing players and staff to our first team. I am also appreciative of the opportunity to lead the first team for the final five games of the MLS season. The experience to work with our first team players was invaluable for my growth as a head coach. I am excited about the direction of the club and we are already hard at work preparing for the upcoming season."

Dynamo general manager Pat Onstad:

"Kenny is a tremendous asset to the Houston Dynamo FC organization and we are very fortunate to sign him to a well-deserved extension. Kenny worked alongside Nick Kowba to build our MLS NEXT Pro side from scratch, led that team to the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro playoffs, and produced players and staff for our first team. He also stepped up when we asked him to take the helm of the first team and brought energy, organization and results in the final five games of the MLS regular season. We are grateful for Kenny’s commitment to Houston and hope to continue his development as one of the country’s most promising young coaches."

Dynamo assistant general manager Nick Kowba:

"Kenny deserves a lot of credit for building and managing one of the strongest MLS NEXT Pro teams in the league. He lives the values of our club and created an environment around the second team that develops talent for our first team. I appreciate everything Kenny has done for the club and look forward to working alongside him to enhance our youth pathway."

What it means

Retaining Bundy was a good move by the club. In years past, the interim job with the first team has led to a permanent departure from the team, as was the case with former assistant coaches Wade Barrett and Davy Arnaud (the latter who is now Josh Wolff's right-hand man at Austin FC). 

Bundy had a successful year with the second team and had an opportunity to contend for the MLS NEXT Pro Cup. That quest was cut short by the needs of the first team but, barring another coaching change with the MLS side, expect D2 to make another run at the trophy.

Good values, direct, and passionate are all words to describe Bundy as a coach and who has valuable personal experience as a former college and professional player. He reads games well and can prepare an effective game plan, proven by his favorable winning record.

In Bundy, the Dynamo may have their first team head coach of the future. If he continues winning in MLS NEXT Pro, he'll likely get consideration for future MLS opportunities in Houston or elsewhere.