Tom Shields begins his first season with the Rutgers men's soccer program serving as the Scarlet Knights' Director of Player Performance and Pedagogy.
Shields arrives “On The Banks” alongside roles as an Associate National Staff Coach with United Soccer Coaches, Boys Director of Coaching with STA, National Staff Coach with US Club Soccer's Boys ID2 program. Previously, Shields was an ODP Coach with US Soccer and also spent four seasons on staff with the Central Connecticut State University Women’s Soccer program, helping the Blue Devils to the NCAA Tournament and NEC Title in 2014.
Prior to arriving in the United States, Shields worked as a college professor teaching sports coaching at Leeds Metropolitan University. He was also the Head Coach at Hull University and Hull City Ladies.
A graduate of Leeds Metropolitan University in England, the United Kingdom's Centre for Coaching Excellence, Shields earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Coaching and a Master’s degree in Sport and Exercise Psychology. Additionally, he possesses a USSF B and USSF National Youth License along with United Soccer Coaches Premier and Director of Coaching Diplomas. He also holds FA, FA Youth Award and LMA certifications.
