Tom Gillette joined the Bellarmine University men’s soccer coaching staff as an assistant at the start of the 2016 season.
In the spring of 2021, Bellarmine's first in Division I and the ASUN Conference, Gillette and the Knights wasted no time in making their mark. Bellarmine secured the top seed from the North Division in the ASUN Championship after going 3-1 in league play while finishing the season ranked No. 9 in the Atlantic Region by the United Soccer Coaches. The memorable inaugural season in D1 included an ASUN Coach of the Year nod for Head Coach Tim Chastonay, four All-Conference acknowledgements and an All-Region laurel (Jonas Skulstad).
The 2019 campaign marked the most successful in program history for Bellarmine, which did not lose a match until the Sweet 16 of the NCAA II Tournament. The Knights went 16-1-5 overall and 10-0-4 in the GLVC. Both win totals set new program records. Along with an undefeated regular season, Bellarmine captured the GLVC Tournament title following a 3-2 victory over McKendree and secured its first-ever NCAA II Tournament berth. The Knights built a 30-game unbeaten streak bridging the 2018 and 2019 seasons and finished the year with a No. 13 national ranking. Tomas Bernedo, Micah Linscott and Eddie Williamson earned All-America accolades from the D2CCA, and Bernedo became the program's first GLVC Offensive Player of the Year.
Bellarmine finished 12-5-2 in 2018. At the time, the Knights tied both the most overall wins and the most conference victories (nine) in program history. Bellarmine finished second in the league and earned the No. 2 seed in the GLVC Tournament, where the Knights advanced to the finals. Jonas Skulstad became the program's first GLVC Defensive Player of the Year honoree.
In 2017, the Knights tied a then-program record with nine GLVC wins. Bellarmine's 11 overall victories were one shy of the program record at the time. The biggest highlight of the season came when Bellarmine defeated second-ranked and Final Four-bound Rockhurst 2-1. Williamson was named GLVC co-Freshman of the Year.
Gillette has served as the Director of Coaching at Oldham Soccer Club. He holds a USSF ‘B’ license and a Director of Coaching Diploma. He has also coached in the Kentucky Olympic Development program.
Gillette played three seasons (2012-14) at Francis Marion University in South Carolina and captained the team his senior season. During his summers in college, he played for National Premier Soccer League and Premier Development League teams Myrtle Beach Mutiny, Tampa Bay Marauders and Derby City Rovers. He began coaching in South Carolina while in college.
A native of London, England, Gillette attended the University of Nottingham in England and earned a bachelor’s degree in politics. He earned a master’s degree while playing at Francis Marion.
