VILLANOVA, Pa. – B.J. Callaghan, whose coaching rise included a stint alongside Wildcats' Head Coach Tom Carlin, was named as Interim Head Coach of the United States Men's National Team on Tuesday afternoon.
 
Callaghan – the grandson of former Wildcats' head men's basketball coach Jack Kraft (1962-73) – left Villanova in 2012 to join the coaching staff of the Philadelphia Union. He rose to become an assistant to Villanova Soccer alumnus Jim Curtin before departing in 2019 to join the staff of the United States Men's National Team in 2019 as a Strategy Analyst. He was named an assistant coach in 2012 He replaces current Interim Head coach Anthony Hudson, who departed USMNT for another position.
 
"I understand the responsibility of the job and am honored to have the opportunity to build upon the progress this group has made the last four years," Callaghan said in a statement. "Together, we have built a strong culture and a great understanding of how we want to play, and we expect to continue to build on that progress. Our goal is clear: defend both of our Concacaf titles."
 
Callaghan will lead the USMNT when it meets Mexico in the National League semifinals on June 15 in Las Vegas. Following that, the US will meet Jamaica in the Gold Cup on June 24

"B.J. played a crucial role in helping to lay the foundation for this program in his time on our staff," stated Carlin. "As the grandson of Jack Kraft, he has deep ties to Villanova and has remained connected to us as he has moved up in his coaching career. We're thrilled to see him receive this amazing opportunity to lead the USMNT."
 
Callgahan is a Holy Spirit (N.J.) High School graduate who played soccer at Ursinus College, graduating in 2003. He served as an assistant coach at Saint Joseph's University before being hired to the Women's Staff at Villanova in 2005. Carlin added him to the Men's Soccer staff after he replaced Larry Sullivan as head coach in 2007.