As Villanova's head men's soccer coach since 2008, Tom Carlin guided the program to new levels of success. Most recently, that included the program's second NCAA Tournament appearance and first ever NCAA Tournament victory, a 1-0 decision at Vermont on Nov. 18, 2021.
In November 2023, Carlin announced his retirement from coaching, passing the baton to former associate head coach Mark Fetrow.
“Tom has been a wonderful steward of our men’s program for the last 16 years,” stated Villanova Vice President and Director of Athletics Mark Jackson. “On the pitch, he led Villanova to its first two NCAA Tournament appearances in program history and its only NCAA victory.
“Even more meaningful than that success on the field, has been the passion and vision Tom brought to Villanova. His program and student-athletes always represented our University with class. I want to personally thank Tom for his friendship and the incredible energy he poured into building Villanova Men’s Soccer. We are in a far better place today as a program than when Tom arrived, and he has been the driving force behind that progress.”
Carlin posted a 222-156-43 record in a career that began at his alma mater, Arcadia University, in 2000. In 2007, Carlin was hired as the associate head coach at Villanova and a year later was named its head coach. He is the program’s all-time leader in victories (122) guiding Villanova to the 2016 and 2021 NCAA Tournaments. A 1-0 victory at Vermont in 2021 gave the Wildcats their first NCAA Tournament victory.
“I am sincerely grateful to have worked alongside such amazing people and be blessed with the opportunity to live out my faith at this amazing Catholic university,” stated Carlin. “It truly is the personal relationships with my fellow coaches, administrators, student-athletes, and staff on campus that I will remember forever and miss the most. I look forward to spending more time with my wife Catara and our four beautiful girls, Lucy, Ciona, Tira, and Ciara.
“To have the opportunity to pass this program on to Mark Fetrow, one of the top head coaches in the country, is a blessing. It is a fairy tale ending to a 25-year coaching career, and I owe all of it to Villanova University and the leadership of our President, Father Peter (Donohue) and Mark Jackson.”
In 2021, Carlin became the all-time leader in program victories, moving past his predecessor Larry Sullivan (114) with a dramatic 2-1 victory at Creighton on Nov. 5, 2021 in the opening round of the BIG EAST Tournament. In 16 seasons, including a 6-8-3 mark in 2022, his overall record is 122-125-27. A pair of Wildcats, Lyam MacKinnon and Viktor Bendiktsson, signed professional contracts at the conclusion of their time as Wildcats in 2023..
The 2021 campaign included a series of highlights unmatched in program history. Picked to finish last in the preseason BIG EAST coaches poll, the Wildcats opened the BIG EAST regular season with four consecutive wins for the first time in program history. They advanced to the BIG EAST Tournament for the ninth time in Carlin's 14 seasons, eliminating Creighton 2-1 in Omaha to reach the semifinals for the third time under Carlin. Villanova earned its second NCAA at-large bid and then posted its first NCAA Tournament win, downing Vermont 1-0 in Burlington. Its nine shutouts tied the program record established in 2011 and the 12 wins tied the single season program mark (1980 and 2012).
In addition, forward Lyam MacKinnon and goalkeeper Carson Williams were tabbed second-team All-BIG EAST.
In 2016, he steered the Wildcats to their first ever NCAA Tournament bid on the strength of a 10-7-3 record that included victories over nationally ranked Creighton and Boston College. Villanova overcame the season-long loss of top forward Max Kroschwitz by relying on a youthful cast that included no fewer than four freshmen starters, including three on the back line of defense (Shane Bradley, Nikkeye DePoint, Sean Teixeria). Three Villanova athletes were named second team All-BIG EAST: Andreas Bartosinski, Shane Bradley and leading scorer Miguel Polley.
Villanova earned the No. 4 seed in the 2016 BIG EAST Tournament, where it moved past DePaul in the opening round on penalty kicks after playing a 0-0 draw against the Blue Demons. The Wildcats were eliminated on a late goal by David Goldsmith in the second overtime at Butler in the BIG EAST semifinal.
In 2012, Carlin's Wildcats first established a new BIG EAST era record with 12 victories. For the first time in program history, the Wildcats claimed BIG EAST Championship victories in consecutive seasons, defeating Seton Hall 3-1 in opening round action.
Over the course of his time on the job, Carlin has worked diligently to enhance the total program. The Wildcats have landed a series of decorated recruiting classes since his promotion from the assistant coaching spot he held in 2007 and reached the BIG EAST Championship in each of his first five seasons at the helm. What's more, there has been an active outreach to the program's alumni base and a continued emphasis on dedication to the community.
The 2011 season ended with a flourish for the Wildcats, who upended No. 18 Notre Dame and No. 5 USF with 1-0 victories on the road to reach the BIG EAST semifinals at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J. This marked the 'Cats first appearance in the semifinals since 1993 and VU battled St. John's for more than 75 minutes in a scoreless battle before the Red Storm notched two late goals to advance.
VU ended the campaign with an 8-9-4 record and established a new single season school record for shutouts (nine).
Carlin first joined the Villanova staff as an assistant coach in June of 2007, bringing him back to the region where he grew up and first made his mark in soccer. He quickly made an impact, helping the Wildcats upset top ranked Duke and return to the BIG EAST Tournament after a one-season absence.
From 2000-2005, Carlin served as the head coach at Arcadia University in Glenside, Pa., where he posted a 99-23-9 record. Over the course of his tenure he steered Arcadia to three Pennsylvania Athletic Conference titles and three NCAA Championship appearances. Arcadia advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight in 2002 and the Sweet 16 in 2001.
Following his stint at Arcadia, Carlin was appointed Associate Head Coach at Northwestern where he assisted in all facets of the program, including recruiting, scouting, and training sessions. Northwestern's 2006 and 2007 recruiting classes were ranked No. 21 in the nation by Soccer America.
Carlin also brings extensive club coaching experience with him to Villanova.
From 2003-06 he was head coach of the Philadelphia Soccer Club Coppa, a U-17/U-18 boy's team that captured the 2004 and 2005 Pennsylvania state championship.
In 2007, he guided the FC Sockers Soccer Club, an 18 and Under boy's team based in Palantine, Ill.
For three seasons, Carlin served with an Olympic Development program as well.
As a player, Carlin was a three-year captain at Arcadia. He was named first team All PAC from 1996-98. He graduated in 1999 with a B.A. in History and a minor in secondary education. He went on to earn a M.A. in Educational Leadership in 2002 from Arcadia.
Carlin and his wife Catara were married in 2012. They have four daughters, Lucy, Ciona, Tira and Ciara.
