The Christian Brothers Academy (CBA) Athletic Department has found the replacement for its legendary boys soccer coach, Dan Keane, and it didn’t need to look very far.
The Colts’ assistant coach, Tom Mulligan, has been named the new head coach of the powerful CBA varsity soccer program. Mulligan is a CBA graduate (Class of 1983) who played under Keane.
“I am thrilled that Tom will be leading CBA soccer into the future,” Director of Athletics Vito Chiaravalloti II said in a prepared statement released by the school. “The commitment Tom shows toward developing his players both on and off the field will have a resounding impact on their lives well beyond the game itself. This is truly an exciting day for the entire CBA soccer community — players, parents and alumni.”
Mulligan has spent the past 20 years developing athletes at the sub-varsity level, helping support the efforts that have made CBA’s soccer team a top state competitor every year. Now in his 25th year teaching science at CBA, Mulligan has been helping develop students for generations.
“I am confident that under Tom’s leadership, CBA soccer will not only continue to be among the most successful programs in the state, but [also] will reach even new heights,” Chiaravalloti said.
Mulligan’s soccer roots run deep. As a 1983 graduate of CBA, Mulligan played under Keane, first as a junior and then as a captain his senior year. After graduating, he went on to excel at the collegiate level, being name captain, MVP and an all-conference selection while at Drew University from 1984-87.
Mulligan has amassed a great deal of experience coaching area programs, serving as assistant soccer coach for Holmdel High School, Freehold High School and, for 22 years, at CBA (20 as the junior varsity coach). Additionally, Mulligan has taken on various coaching roles at CBA, having worked for a year as varsity tennis coach, a year as assistant baseball coach and for 15 years as assistant basketball coach.
“Having worked with coach Keane for over 20 years has provided me with insights into one of the state’s perennial soccer programs,” Mulligan said.
He plans on continuing the tradition of CBA soccer excellence established by Keane.
As CBA gears up for a new chapter in its storied soccer program, Mulligan is ready to continue developing athletes both on the pitch and in the classroom.
Keane ended his last season at the helm leading the Colts to another Shore Conference Tournament championship and the NJSIAA Non-Public, South A title. He completed his impressive career at the Lincroft campus with 545 wins and 14 championship banners.