Fire brings back Jeffries to direct player personnel

The Fire has hired former assistant coach Mike Jeffries as director of player personnel, the Daily Herald has learned.

Jeffries was an assistant coach under Denis Hamlett during the 2008 and 2009 seasons, but when Hamlett's contract was not renewed last year, Jeffries was let go from the coaching staff but retaining as a consultant, working under technical director Frank Klopas.

It's not yet known how Jeffries' hiring will affect the status of Klopas or coach Carlos de los Cobos.

The Fire will play at FC Dallas on Saturday night. With a 7-10-8 record and its playoff hopes nearly gone, the Fire is expected to make changes before the 2011 season.

Jeffries, who also assisted coach Bob Bradley with the Fire, has been a head coach in MLS. He took over in Dallas in 2001 and went 10-11-5. In 2002 Dallas was 12-9-7 under Jeffries, making the playoffs both years, going 1-3-2. But he was fired late in the 2003 season with a 4-16-4 record and replaced by Colin Clarke.