In June of 2016 the Wilmington Hammerheads of the United Soccer League visited Salt Lake City with hopes of dismantling a U.S. Open Cup run for Real Salt Lake in front of one of the biggest crowds the Hammerheads have ever played in front of. Leading the way was a 34-year-old Mark Briggs who at the time had no idea he would soon be placed in charge of Salt Lake’s own USL side, Real Monarchs SLC.
Catching the attention of the RSL front office after Wilmington’s penalty shootout loss to the Claret-and-Cobalt, Briggs was courted and lured to Sandy to be an assistant coach of the Monarchs to then head coach Mike Petke for the 2017 season.