Villanova Men's Soccer and Camps

B.J. Callaghan

Assistant Coach, Villanova Men's Soccer

In the spring of 2009 BJ Callaghan was promoted to the role of top assistant to head coach Tom Carlin.

"BJ has done a tremendous job since he joined our staff last year," stated Carlin in making the announcement. "We are very pleased to be able to promote him to the lead assistant position. His on the field knowledge, energy in training sessions, very high work rate in the office and dedication to the Villanova University community makes him more than qualified for this position.

"We expect great things from BJ as we continue to raise the bar for our program."

Callaghan assists the soccer staff with recruiting and on-field teaching. He joined Carlin's first Villanova staff in the spring of 2008. Prior to that, he had served as the No. 1 assistant in the women's program at Villanova.

In 2006 with the women's team, Callaghan was instrumental in helping the defense have its best season in program history. Villanova allowed just 11 goals all season long, the fewest in a single-season in the team's 24-year history as a varsity sport. Along the way, the Wildcats posted 15 shutouts in 22 games. Villanova opened the season with a 15-game unbeaten streak (15-0-2) and was scored on just twice in that span. In the midst of that stretch, the Wildcats posted seven straight shutouts and went a program-record 769:52 without allowing a goal.

Callaghan spent much of his time that season working with goalkeeper Jillian Loyden, who became the first player in school history to be a first team NSCAA All-America selection.

Prior to his arrival at Villanova, Callaghan was an assistant coach for two seasons at Saint Joseph's University. He handled recruiting and travel for the Hawks while working with the team's defense.

The first stop in Callaghan's coaching career came at his alma mater, as he served as an assistant coach to the Ursinus men's soccer team after graduating from the school as a four-year letterwinner. He served as team captain his senior season, when he played in 18 games and logged 952 minutes in goal.

At the club level, Callaghan has coached the FC Delco Tarheels women since January 2004.

Callaghan is the grandson of long-time Villanova men's basketball coach Jack Kraft. In leading the men's basketball program for 12 seasons from 1961-73, Kraft amassed 238 victories and a .715 winning percentage.

A 2003 graduate of Ursinus, Callaghan earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics and Business Administration. He is currently pursuing a Master's of Education at Villanova. He was certified with a USSF A License in in 2009 and received NSCAA Goalkeeping certification in April 2008.

Callaghan and his wife Leigh reside in Conshohocken, Pa.