Tom Gillette enters the 2025 season in his third year as head coach of the Railsplitter men’s soccer program, holding a 20-9-6 overall record at the helm. Since taking over in April 2023, Gillette has led the program to back-to-back national rankings, peaking at No. 18 in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
Under his leadership, LMU reached the SAC Tournament final in 2023 and advanced to the NCAA Super Regional. In 2024, the Railsplitters earned another SAC Tournament berth, falling in the quarterfinals. Gillette has mentored 6 SAC All-Conference selections, 3 SAC Offensive Players of the Week, and 5 SAC Defensive Players of the Week. The program has also celebrated major individual honors under his direction, including 1 First Team All-American, 1 D2CCA Southeast Region Player of the Year, 1 First Team All-Region selection. 1 Second Team All-Region selection, 1 SAC Player of the Year, and statistical champions in goals per match and points per match.
Gillette was officially promoted to head coach in April 2023 after serving as interim coach since January 2023. Gillette initially joined the Railsplitter coaching staff in 2022 as an assistant, helping guide the program to a remarkable turnaround from a 2-13-2 record in 2021 to 10-8-1 (6-5 SAC) and a SAC Tournament Final appearance. He played a key role in developing forward Harry Cooke, who earned SAC Player and Freshman of the Year honors and was named Second Team All-America by the D2CCA.
Prior to LMU, Gillette spent five seasons as an assistant coach at NCAA Division I Bellarmine University under head coach Tim Chastonay. There, he contributed to several historic milestones, including a 30-game unbeaten streak, multiple All-Americans, and an NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 appearance in 2019. In Bellarmine’s first season at the Division I level, Gillette helped the program win the ASUN North Division and secure a top-10 regional ranking.
His coaching résumé also includes serving as Director of Coaching at Oldham Soccer Club and coaching within the Kentucky Olympic Development Program. He holds a USSF 'B' License and a Director of Coaching Diploma.
A native of London, England, Gillette played three seasons at Francis Marion University, serving as team captain his senior year. He earned a bachelor’s degree in politics from the University of Nottingham and a master’s degree while at Francis Marion. As a player, he competed in the NPSL and PDL with the Myrtle Beach Mutiny, Tampa Bay Marauders, and Derby City Rovers.
