Hans Backe: Top of the MLS coaching totem poll

Part of this week’s MLS Monday wrap-up piece on SI.com is a list of the top coaches in MLS this year. The piece should be posted soon. Until then, you Hans Backe backers feel free to begin reveling in the No. 1 status.

Try not to bust your arm patting yourself on the back. Or, should it be “Patting yourself on the Backe?” (Hee-hee.)

For me, this one isn’t a tough choice. FC Dallas’ Schellas Hyndman has done a fantastic job down at FC Dallas, having now figured out what it takes, personnel wise, to cope in this league. But his accomplishment has been stretched over three seasons, whereas Backe has done the deed remarkably fast.

Jason Kreis has done a great job at Real Salt Lake. Kreis has made the side better and better since his 2007 mid-season arrival. But, you could also say that he didn’t have much personnel rearranging to do this year, that the bulk of his achievement was accomplished by late last year. Since then it’s been most maintenance.

So, in my mind, if you just consider the body of work in 2010, Backe is tops.

You might also be interested in this piece, where Backe talks about Tim Ream and the so-called “Rookie Wall.”