Oxford United can confirm Men’s First Team Head Coach Des Buckingham’s coaching staff for the 2024/25 season.
As the team prepares for life in the Championship, with a number of additions to the playing department, the Club has also secured the roles for the coaching department this season.
Craig Short – Men’s First Team Assistant Head Coach
Craig Short will continue in his role as Men’s First Team Assistant Head Coach. Craig has been with the Club since 2020 and has also led as caretaker manager during his time with United having originally joined under Karl Robinson.
His experience as a former Premier League defender and a Championship coach will be invaluable in this upcoming season. Craig is a well-respected and important figure at the Club and takes a vital lead at the Training Ground in developing the group’s sessions.
Chris Hackett – Men’s First Team Assistant Coach & Head of Individual Development.
Chris Hackett will officially take on the role of Assistant Coach in Des Buckingham’s coaching department. Born in Oxford and starting his football career at United, Chris has been with the club in a coaching role since 2016 and will continue to be a key part of the Men’s First Team going forward.
Chris has worked closely with Des Buckingham and the rest of the coaching staff since the Head Coach’s appointment when he initially stepped up to the First Team. As part of his role, Chris will lead individual player development, both on and off the pitch, as well as easing the transition for young players from the Youth Academy.
Speaking on his appointment, Chris said: “Everyone knows my connection with Oxford United and I’m extremely delighted to be part of this coaching group.
“This club has meant so much to me, since starting as a fan, then as a trainee back in 1999, and now I get the opportunity to be part of the coaching department in one of the most exciting times for United in recent memory.
“I will continue to do everything that I can to help the team and players deliver for the fans, and I cannot wait to now take on the Championship season.
“I must thank everyone at the club, especially the current coaching group and Des. I have an extremely good relationship with every person in our football department and we now want to strive to bring more success to the club.”
Lewis Price – Men’s Head of Goalkeeping.
Lewis Price also continues in his role as Men’s Head of Goalkeeping having been at the Club since the summer of 2023. Lewis plays an important role in preparing the goalkeeping department as well as contributing to the team’s tactical preparations.
Lewis also leads on set pieces both offensively and defensively and is an important person within the Club. Lewis is an experienced former player at the international level with Wales, as well as Championship football with the likes of Derby and Ipswich Town.
Joe Moore – Men’s First Team Coach Analyst
In March of this year, Joe Moore joined the Club as our Men’s First Team Coach Analyst, and he remains in that position for the upcoming season.
Joe joined the club from Arsenal Women, where he was Lead Football Analyst since 2022, having previously worked for Fulham Football Club for four years, and closely with Des Buckingham at New Zealand Football.
Joe leads the analysis of all upcoming opposition, alongside First Team Performance Analyst Isaac Alder, and assists Des and the coaching staff in tactical sessions on the training pitch.
Luke Taylor – Head of Physical Performance
Luke worked for Oxford United within the Academy from 2011 to 2014, and in that time, he worked at the English FA, New Zealand National Team, and most recently as Head of Physical Performance with the Wales Women’s National Team.
Luke leads the department alongside Chris Short and Dwayne Peasah, aiming to maximise performance in how the players train in the gym and on the grass. Luke works in collaboration with Des and the coaching team to ensure training effectively prepares the squad for each game.
Speaking on his coaching department, Des Buckingham said: “I am absolutely delighted with the coaching team we have in place for the upcoming season.
“When I came to the Club, I walked into a coaching department that had a wealth of knowledge and experience, and their help has been vital in what we have created so far.
“At the start of the year, we added Joe and Luke to the team, and their contributions have been vital.
“To officially bring Chris into the First Team coaching staff is fantastic. Chris has been an amazing support to me and to the team and he has shown in my time here how good of a coach he is.
“He has an incredible trust with the players, and we believe he is the best person to lead on developing individual talent and getting the best out of the group.
“A bonus to his fantastic coaching abilities is his knowledge and history with the football club, and to have that within the department is extremely important.
“Of course, Craig Short and Lewis Price were at the Club when I arrived, and again, they have been incredibly important during my time and beyond.
“I’m extremely pleased with the coaching department we have, and following what has been a really positive pre-season, we are all looking forward to the upcoming campaign.”