After serving one season as an assistant coach, Philadelphia native Tom Carlin was named head men’s soccer coach at Villanova University in January of 2008.
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 2000-2006, 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.