Photo: Courtesy of the San Antonio Scorpions

Following an 0-4 start to the fall season, the San Antonio Scorpions have decided to relieve Tim Hankinson of his head coaching duties.

In front of the local San Antonio media, Scorpions’ President and General Manager Howard Cornfield made the announcement on Tuesday, Aug. 27 in the Morgan’s Wonderland Event Center.

“Tim is a quality coach and person, however, the team has not played to the level our organization and fans expect,” said Cornfield. “Our goal is to compete for the championship and this team is far too talented to be where we are right now. We sincerely thank Tim for his help in getting Scorpions soccer off to a great start, and for his dedication to Soccer for a Cause.”

Hankinson leaves a short but significant legacy with the Scorpions’ franchise. In his first season as head coach of the Scorpions in 2012, Hankinson lead the team to a first place finish with 47 points (13-8-7) in the North American Soccer League. Under his direction, the Scorpions were able to score 47 goals that season while holding opponents to 27 for a 19-goal differential. In the playoffs that season, the Scorpions earned a No. 1 seed and a first round bye. The Scorpions were eliminated 2-0 in a three-game set with the Minnesota Stars in the semifinals.

The team failed to meet expectations in the 2013 spring season by finishing in third place with 20 points (6-2-4). In the first game of the fall season, the Scorpions jumped out to a 3-0 lead over the Tampa Bay Rowdies before allowing seven goals in a 7-4 home loss.

Since then, the Scorpions have been outscored 5-2 in their three recent losses prompting the coaching change. “I want to thank Gordon Hartman of Soccer for a Cause for this opportunity to win our first cup,” said Hankinson. “Also, to the fans: Rally behind the team. You have been great!”

Cornfield and the Scorpions have selected Alen Marcina to be the interim head coach while a worldwide search begins for a permanent replacement. The 34-year-old from Surrey, British Columbia, Canada has been with the Scorpions since 2012 following a seven-year playing career that ended in 2009 with Miami FC. Cornfield expects Marcina to coach the team for the remainder of the season.

“Firstly, I just want to thank Coach Hankinson for bringing the city of San Antonio its first regular season championship in 2012,” said Marcina. “It’s been an honor and a blessing working under Tim. Moving forward, I have an obligation to the city of San Antonio, to the fans, to the players, to Mr. Hartman and to Soccer for a Cause. I plan on leading. I’m excited for the opportunity and I plan on making the most of it.”

The Scorpions are currently in last place trailing the NASL-leading Carolina RailHawks by 10 points with 10 games left in the fall season.

“I came to the realization that it was the right time to make a change,” Cornfield said.