University of North Carolina Athletics
Men’s Soccer Adds Michael Callahan To Coaching Staff
March 17, 2026 | Men's Soccer
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – University of North Carolina men's soccer has added Tar Heel alum Michael Callahan to its coaching staff. Callahan comes to Chapel Hill after spending four seasons as an assistant coach at George Mason, where he helped guide the Patriots through one of the most successful stretches in program history.
"Getting Michael back to Chapel Hill is a great addition to the program," head coach Carlos Somoano said. "As a former captain, he knows intimately the standards, demands and opportunities that being a Tar Heel requires and provides. We are excited to have him back."
In 2024, George Mason posted a 13–4–1 record and captured the Atlantic 10 regular-season championship. The Patriots followed that with another strong campaign in 2025, spending five weeks ranked in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25, earning a marquee win over No. 7 Virginia, and finishing as the highest-scoring team in the Atlantic 10. George Mason also placed four players on the All-Atlantic 10 First Team during the season.
A former UNC All-American midfielder, Callahan served as a captain for the Tar Heels and helped lead Carolina to the 2008 National Championship Game while earning both All-America and Academic All-America honors.
After graduating from UNC with a degree in economics, Callahan played eight professional seasons in the USL, appearing in more than 160 matches with Austin Aztex and the Richmond Kickers. He later transitioned into coaching as an assistant coach for the Richmond Kickers and an academy coach with Richmond United. He also spent the 2021–22 season as a volunteer assistant with Virginia Commonwealth University before joining George Mason.
A native of Cary, N.C., Callahan played club soccer for CASL and attended Green Hope High School.
Stay up to date with UNC men's soccer by following the Tar Heels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
"Getting Michael back to Chapel Hill is a great addition to the program," head coach Carlos Somoano said. "As a former captain, he knows intimately the standards, demands and opportunities that being a Tar Heel requires and provides. We are excited to have him back."
In 2024, George Mason posted a 13–4–1 record and captured the Atlantic 10 regular-season championship. The Patriots followed that with another strong campaign in 2025, spending five weeks ranked in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25, earning a marquee win over No. 7 Virginia, and finishing as the highest-scoring team in the Atlantic 10. George Mason also placed four players on the All-Atlantic 10 First Team during the season.
A former UNC All-American midfielder, Callahan served as a captain for the Tar Heels and helped lead Carolina to the 2008 National Championship Game while earning both All-America and Academic All-America honors.
After graduating from UNC with a degree in economics, Callahan played eight professional seasons in the USL, appearing in more than 160 matches with Austin Aztex and the Richmond Kickers. He later transitioned into coaching as an assistant coach for the Richmond Kickers and an academy coach with Richmond United. He also spent the 2021–22 season as a volunteer assistant with Virginia Commonwealth University before joining George Mason.
A native of Cary, N.C., Callahan played club soccer for CASL and attended Green Hope High School.
Stay up to date with UNC men's soccer by following the Tar Heels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
MBB: Hubert Davis Pre-NCAA Tournament Press Conference
Tuesday, March 17
WBB: Courtney Banghart Pre-NCAA Tournament Availability
Monday, March 16
UNC Baseball: Diamond Heels Sweep Series at Cal with 10-2 Win
Monday, March 16
UNC Softball: Tar Heels Take Series at Cal with 13-5 Win in Game 3
Monday, March 16