USMNT assistant Callaghan named Nashville SC head coach

Nashville SC has confirmed the appointment of U.S. men’s national team assistant B.J. Callaghan as head coach.

Callaghan leaves U.S. Soccer after initially joining the USMNT staff in 2019. The New Jersey native served as the USMNT’s interim head coach last year, leading the team to the 2023 Concacaf Nations League title and the semifinal of the Gold Cup.

The 43-year-old’s departure from the USMNT was announced just two days after the team was eliminated from the Copa América.

“Taking the head coach position at Nashville SC is an incredible opportunity and an exciting next step in my career,” Callaghan said in a Nashville SC release. “I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to [USMNT head coach] Gregg Berhalter for his mentorship and support throughout my time with the USMNT. The experience I’ve gained here has been invaluable, and I’m deeply appreciative of the relationships and memories made along the way.

“While I am thrilled to embark on this new journey, it is bittersweet to leave a team and staff that I believe in so deeply. I have full confidence in the exceptional coaching staff we have in place and know the team is in great hands. As we approach the 2026 World Cup, I’ll be cheering on the team every step of the way. Thank you to everyone at U.S. Soccer for the support and camaraderie – it has truly been an honor.”

The position with Nashville represents Callaghan’s first full-time head coaching role. Callaghan will join the club on July 22, and his first game in charge will be a Leagues Cup match against Mazatlán FC on July 31.

“We are so excited to usher in this new era for Nashville Soccer Club with B.J. as our head coach,” said general manager Mike Jacobs.

“B.J. has a tremendous amount of experience that spans all levels of soccer at the highest levels of the game and has excelled throughout the MLS ecosystem. He is an exceptional leader who gets the most out of the players and teams that he has coached and brings a hard-working and relentless mentality to our club. B.J. is ready for this opportunity to continue to build and develop a winning culture and is the right person to drive our club’s ambition for success.”

Callaghan takes over from Gary Smith, who was fired in May. Smith spent seven seasons as head coach, and had been the only person to hold that position in franchise history.

Nashville currently sits in seventh place in the 15-team Eastern Conference.

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