FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Duluth FC Hires Thomas Pazo as Next Head Coach
Following an extensive search, Duluth FC has selected their next head coach, Thomas Pazo. Pazo comes in
with an impressive background of which his American soccer journey began right here in Superior, at the
University of Wisconsin-Superior in 2009. Although he was only at UWS for one year, he has remained
connected to the area, even as his playing and coaching career has led him elsewhere.
Currently, Pazo serves as the assistant coach at perennial NAIA soccer powerhouse, Lindsey Wilson College in
Columbia, Kentucky. In his three seasons there, the team has won two regular season and one tournament
Mid-South Conference Championship. In doing so, Pazo was named 2023 and 2024 Assistant Coach of the
Year for the Conference. His key role and extensive work done in the recruiting, scouting, and video analytics
areas played a major factor in that recognition.
Born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, soccer has been a major part of Pazo’s life since childhood. From
playing soccer through college, to working with both youth and collegiate soccer programs, he comes to
Duluth with a plethora of experience in the game. Along with his many coaching qualifications, he has also
received both a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Business Administration along with a Master’s Degree in
Physical Education.
Duluth FC owners Alex Giuliani and John Shuster were both extremely impressed with Pazo during the
interview process. Shuster said, “Thomas came into each interview incredibly prepared and enthusiastic
about the potential opportunity of coaching our club. It became very clear that his values and aspirations
both for our team and with soccer in our area very closely aligned with those of our club. We are extremely
excited for him to get to work and are confident he’s going to help guide our team’s mission to support the
advancement of soccer in the Twin Ports by fielding a high-level team and bolstering all levels of soccer in the
area.
UWS Head Coach Joe Mooney had this to say on the hiring, “I am extremely excited to hear the news about
Thomas. I have had the pleasure of working with him as a player and again as a colleague. He is a top-level
coach with incredible knowledge of the game. He is also a terrific recruiter, so I am excited about the quality
he will bring to Duluth. The players will get a first-class experience playing for Thomas, and the fans will have
a great product to watch on the field. He is a character-first coach who will bring the right young men into
our community and will hold them to a high standard on and off the pitch. This is a huge win for the club and
the Twin Ports community. I loved watching the club grow under Sean Morgan’s leadership and knew he
would leave massive shoes to fill. I am thrilled to learn that Duluth FC has found the perfect fit to carry on his
legacy. I can’t wait to welcome Thomas back to the Twin Ports.”
When asked about the opportunity ahead, Pazo said, “Duluth FC is clearly a special club, guided by decency
and determined to grow. This is the type of club I have always wanted to be a part of. I’m excited to be back
in the Twin Ports area and surrounded by friends and a vibrant soccer community. I would like to
thank John and Alex for the opportunity, and I look forward to building from the brilliant job done by Coach
Morgan. It’s time to live, learn, and lead – always wearing Blue and Green!”
Pazo and Duluth FC now will be busy with the recruitment process in the upcoming months. They will see
their first action in mid-March with their opening round match in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The NPSL
season begins the second week of May.
