Bluefield College alumnus Michael Callaghan has been named head women’s soccer coach at Bluefield College. Callaghan plans to recruit student athletes that not only compete in the classroom but also on the field. “We have multiple recruits in the works right now and we are bringing in successful high school and junior college level players. Our spots are very competitive,” said Coach Callaghan.
Callaghan served as interim coach for the women’s soccer team prior to being named head coach this month and also assisted with the men’s soccer program at Bluefield College during the 2018 season. “It cannot be understated just how large of a role he stepped into as interim head coach a week before preseason got rolling. He showed true Ram character by bringing his girls through a trying time! I am excited to see all he accomplishes in his time here and could see no better partner to cast a vision for our soccer programs to get back on the national stage,” said Justin Morton, Bluefield College head men’s soccer coach.
“This process started with us searching for the best Christian leader we could find to develop student athletes. I am confident that Michael is the man for the job. He brings an abundance of energy and passion for the game, along with a strong will to succeed. We are blessed to find such a good fit for Bluefield College,” said Bluefield College Athletic Director, Mike White.
Callaghan is a native of Belfast, Ireland and a former Rams player who graduated from Bluefield College in 2015. After graduating, Callaghan went on to coach for the Roanoke Star Soccer Club out of Roanoke, Va. While there, he oversaw and implemented successful programming at Roanoke College’s Club Soccer Program for both the men and women’s teams. After a successful stint with the Roanoke based clubs, Michael moved on to become an assistant coach at Ferrum College (NCAA DIII) for the Men’s Soccer program. In his time there, the Panther’s boasted a 5-4-2 conference record and earned a 4th seed birth into the conference tournament, making it to the quarter-finals of the USA South Athletic Conference.
As a player, he played collegiately at Mountain State University and Bluefield College as an attacking midfielder. During his three years at Bluefield, he played and started in 60 matches for the Appalachian Athletic Conference side, achieving a player high of 16 goals and 20 assists. In his last two seasons with the team, he was named captain and led his group to a 5-3-1 conference record his senior year.
Callaghan has received numerous awards including second-team Mid-South All-Conference, first team AAC AII-Conference, and NCCAA All-American. Callaghan is also a two-time Daktronics Scholar Athlete.
“We’re beyond blessed and privileged to have Michael join us in the soccer side of our department. Being an alum allows him to not only see where the program has been but gives him this incredible ability to cast a vision for what our women’s team can accomplish in a very competitive conference,” added Justin Morton, Bluefield College’s head men’s soccer coach.
Callaghan lives in Bluefield, West Virginia with his wife Summer.