Houston Dynamo FC appointed Kenny Bundy as the head coach of Dynamo 2, the Club announced today. Dynamo 2 is the team’s affiliate in the upcoming inaugural season of MLS Next Pro.
As Dynamo 2 coach, Bundy will work closely with both Houston Dynamo FC head coach Paulo Nagamura and Dynamo Academy Director Paul Holocher to implement a cohesive playing style that prepares players at every age level for the transition from the Academy to Dynamo 2 and ultimately to the Dynamo first team.
"We are thrilled to have Kenny lead Dynamo 2 as the head coach. During Kenny’s six years with the Dynamo Academy, he has proven to be an excellent bridge between the Academy and the First Team. He is a collaborator who understands how to develop players and how Paulo wants to play the game,” Dynamo assistant general manager Nick Kowba said. “The MLS Next Pro initiative gives high-potential players the platform to adapt to a professional environment and prepare for the demands of our first team. We are extremely excited to see Kenny lead our first group of young men in this project.”
Bundy recently served as head coach of the Houston Dynamo Academy U-23 team and managed the team through a pilot season in 2021.
“I'm thrilled to be the first head coach for Houston Dynamo 2. I want to thank Pat Onstad, Asher Mendelsohn, John Walker, Nick Kowba and the entire technical staff for giving me this opportunity,” Bundy said. “As we navigate this new initiative, our mission as a staff is to give the best young talent an opportunity to thrive. If we are successful at that, hopefully those players can develop into high-quality contributors at the MLS level.”
Bundy has been with the Club since 2016, serving as head coach of both the U-23 and U-19 teams. While in those roles, Bundy coached a number of Dynamo Homegrown Players, including Juan Castilla, Marcelo Palomino and Danny Rios. In the 2017-18 season, Bundy guided the Dynamo Academy U-19s to the Developmental Academy League national playoffs. In addition, Bundy coached Brazos Valley Cavalry FC to the 2019 USL League Two Mid-South Division Title and an appearance in that season’s conference finals match.
After a successful collegiate career at UNC-Greensboro, Bundy played more than 120 games as a professional in the USL and MISL from 2003-09, earning USL2 All-League First Team honors in 2009 with the Wilmington Hammerheads.
Bundy and Dynamo 2 will continue their preparations for the inaugural MLS Next Pro season on Saturday with a scrimmage against the Dynamo first team. The MLS Next Pro season begins in March with 21 teams and the league will add eight additional teams in 2023.
