HIGH POINT, N.C. (August 21, 2026) – Carolina Core FC announced today that Jake Davis has been named head coach, officially removing the interim designation from his title after leading the Foxes through a strong stretch of the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro season.
Since taking over as interim head coach, Davis has guided Carolina Core FC to a 4-4-4 record while helping the club make progress on both sides of the ball. Beyond the results, Davis has instilled a clear identity within the Foxes, building a team focused on outworking, outfighting and overwhelming every opponent. That mentality has helped create a competitive environment centered on relentless effort, intensity, player development, and a commitment to collective success.
“We approached this search with a clear vision for the kind of leader we believe can take Carolina Core into its next chapter, and Jake rose to the top through that process,” said Megan Oglesby, principal investor of Carolina Core FC. “Jake understands what we are building, shares our ambition for this club and is the right leader to carry that vision forward.”
“I am honored to be given this position full time and deeply privileged by the responsibility,” Davis said. “I have not had much time to take it all in as the work continues daily, but it was a special moment for me and my fiancée. I am grateful for the support I have received throughout this process from the entire club, especially the ownership group.
“Many people have poured into my development throughout my career, and I am excited and energized for this next chapter. The club is in an amazing place, and with the ownership group's vision, Carolina Core is truly building something special. I am passionate about working alongside our leaders Megan Oglesby, Matt Penley, Mark Penley, Chase Hazelwood, Leah Hazelwood and Evan Mitz to bring that vision to life each and every day.”
As he takes on the position permanently, Davis' vision extends beyond results on the field, with an emphasis on creating a clear identity throughout the organization and strengthening the club's connection with the community.
“I want to drive clarity within the organization. Every decision that is made will build on our identity,” Davis said. “We have a unique opportunity as an independent MLS NEXT Pro club. We will be a forward-thinking club whose vision aligns with our ownership group while staying true to our identity. We want to have strong Core Connections and build a team and club that the community is proud to support.”
Davis originally joined Carolina Core FC as the team’s goalkeeper coach in 2026 before being elevated to interim head coach on May 26. Prior to arriving in High Point, he worked with Lexington Sporting Club and spent two seasons with Canadian Premier League side Cavalry FC, where he served as Head of Goalkeeping and Head of Analysis. During his time with Cavalry, Davis played a key role on the staff that captured the CPL Shield in 2023 and the North Star Cup in 2024.
Davis also brings extensive international experience through his work with Canada Soccer's Men's National Youth Teams. He has coached at the U15, U16 and U20 levels across multiple Concacaf Championships and World Cup qualifying cycles, gaining valuable experience in high-performance environments and international competition.
Earlier in his career, Davis held coaching roles with the University of Virginia, Hartford Athletic, and the Houston Dynamo Academy, building a diverse background spanning the collegiate, academy, professional and international levels.
During his interim tenure, Davis helped guide the Foxes through a pivotal stretch of the season while continuing to shape the culture and connection within the club. While the team reached many milestones on the field, Davis points to a moment away from competition as one of the experiences that best captured what the club is building.
“To pick one moment to be most proud of as interim coach is really difficult. It's been a whirlwind of a season with so many ups and downs,” Davis said. “We've had so many accomplishments on the field, from breaking the club's shutout record to beating Crown Legacy 2-0 at home when they were top of the table, but the moment that sticks out to me most is our first team cookout."
“We hosted our staff and players at Go-Forth Elite Performance Center and brought together players, front office and technical staff, owners, interns and everyone involved with the club. We were all able to connect over some good food after a morning session, and it was truly special to see how many people are involved in our club.”
With Davis officially at the helm, Carolina Core FC will look to build on the progress made during his interim tenure as the Foxes continue through the remainder of the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro season.
COACH INFORMATION
Name: Jake Davis
Position: Head Coach
Previous Position: Interim Head Coach
Joined Carolina Core FC: 2026
