Coaches

Samar Azem

Villanova University Vice President & Director of Athletics Mark Jackson announced the hiring of Samar Azem as the head coach of the Wildcats women's soccer program. Azem was identified during a national search that attracted many highly qualified candidates and she is set to become the eighth head coach in program history.


"First, I want to thank a great group of teammates from across our department and some key women's soccer alumnae who helped lead a search process that involved a lot of time, energy and dedication. A special thanks to our President, Father Peter Donohue, who also offered his support at every turn," said Jackson. "We examined a number of established head coaches from across the country and Samar continuously rose to the top of our list. Beyond her proven soccer acumen, recruiting success and commitment to academic achievement, what stood out about Samar went well beyond soccer. At every point in her career she has built deep, meaningful and inspiring relationships with the women she has coached and the people she has worked with and we look forward to her making the same positive impact on the Villanova women's soccer program, as well as, our overarching community."


"I am humbled and excited for the opportunity to serve Villanova University, the women's soccer players, and the community. I would like to thank University President Father Peter Donohue and Director of Athletics Mark Jackson, for their confidence in me and the opportunity to lead the women's soccer program at Villanova University," said Azem. "I also want to express my gratitude to Omar Banks, Hannah Bazemore, and my players at Campbell University for an incredible journey. Villanova University is rich in tradition and represents excellence at the highest level both academically and athletically, which is extremely important to me. I am excited to meet and get to know our team, our alumni, and our community. I can't wait to get started serving, teaching, and guiding our players as we build on and elevate our traditions of success."


Azem comes to Villanova after serving as head coach at Campbell University for the past five seasons where she guided the Camels to a 50-30-8 record. This past year, Azem led Campbell to a 12-4-2 overall record, a 9-1-0 Big South mark and a trip to the conference championship game. Prior to becoming head coach, Azem was a member of the Campbell staff as an assistant for one year and the Associate Head Coach for two seasons.


During the COVID-19 delayed and shortened 2020-21 schedule, Azem led Campbell to an 8-4-1 overall record and 6-2-1 Big South mark and its first Big South Championship since 1993. By winning the conference title, Campbell garnered an NCAA Tournament berth for the second time in program history. Campbell earned a No. 22 national ranking and had a program record four players named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Region teams. The Camels also had a program best seven All-Conference honorees. For her efforts, Azem was the 2020-21 Big South Conference Coach of the Year.


Throughout her Campbell career, Azem has helped the Camels become one of the top offensive teams in the country. For the past three years, Campbell has ranked in the top 10 nationally in scoring offense, including ranking eighth this past year, ninth in 2020 and 10th in 2019. Over the past three seasons, Campbell has outscored its opponents by a 126-53 margin.


Azem has also guided numerous players to individual honors. Highlighting this list is Alexa Genas who was the program's first-ever two-time Big South Attack Player of the Year, earning the honor in 2017 and 2019. During the 2020-21 season, Jessica Donald was named a Top Drawer Soccer Top 100 performer, while Cazzi Norgren was a Top Drawer Top 100 Freshmen honoree. Donald was also the program's first Big South Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2021.


Azem began her head coaching career at Division II Anderson University from 2011-13 where she tallied a 21-24-9 overall record, including a 12-10-7 record in South Atlantic Conference play. During the 2011 season, Anderson advanced to the semifinal round of the SAC Tournament for the first time in program history. Azem also led her team to a No. 8 ranking in the Southeast Region in 2011.


Her eight-year overall head coaching record stands at 71-54-17.


She also has had assistant coaching stops at Brevard College, Mercer University and Presbyterian University.


As a player, Azem was a standout goalkeeper at Campbell. In 2004, she helped the Camels win both the A-Sun regular season and tournament championships. Throughout her collegiate career, Azem also earned A-Sun All-Academic recognition and the program's Coaches Award in 2005 and 2006.


A native of Jos, Nigeria, Azem graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in broadcasting and a minor in Psychology from Campbell in 2007 and she earned her Master's Degree in education from Mercer in 2010.

Courtney Owen

Ashleigh Ellenwood

Tom Carlin

As Villanova's head men's soccer coach since 2008, Tom Carlin has guided the program to new levels of success. Most recently, that included the program's second NCAA Tournament appearance and first ever NCAA Tournament victory, a 1-0 decision at Vermont on Nov. 18, 2021.


In 2021, Carlin became the all-time leader in program victories, moving past his predecessor Larry Sullivan (114) with a dramatic 2-1 victory at Creighton on Nov. 5, 2021 in the opening round of the BIG EAST Tournament. In 16 seasons, including a 6-8-3 mark in 2022, his overall record is 122-125-27. A pair of Wildcats, Lyam MacKinnon and Viktor Bendiktsson, signed professional contracts at the conclusion of their time as Wildcats in 2023..


The 2021 campaign included a series of highlights unmatched in program history. Picked to finish last in the preseason BIG EAST coaches poll, the Wildcats opened the BIG EAST regular season with four consecutive wins for the first time in program history. They advanced to the BIG EAST Tournament for the ninth time in Carlin's 14 seasons, eliminating Creighton 2-1 in Omaha to reach the semifinals for the third time under Carlin. Villanova earned its second NCAA at-large bid and then posted its first NCAA Tournament win, downing Vermont 1-0 in Burlington. Its nine shutouts tied the program record established in 2011 and the 12 wins tied the single season program mark (1980 and 2012).


In addition, forward Lyam MacKinnon and goalkeeper Carson Williams were tabbed second-team All-BIG EAST.


In 2016, he steered the Wildcats to their first ever NCAA Tournament bid on the strength of a 10-7-3 record that included victories over nationally ranked Creighton and Boston College. Villanova overcame the season-long loss of top forward Max Kroschwitz by relying on a youthful cast that included no fewer than four freshmen starters, including three on the back line of defense (Shane Bradley, Nikkeye DePoint, Sean Teixeria). Three Villanova athletes were named second team All-BIG EAST: Andreas Bartosinski, Shane Bradley and leading scorer Miguel Polley.


Villanova earned the No. 4 seed in the 2016 BIG EAST Tournament, where it moved past DePaul in the opening round on penalty kicks after playing a 0-0 draw against the Blue Demons. The Wildcats were eliminated on a late goal by David Goldsmith in the second overtime at Butler in the BIG EAST semifinal.


In 2012, Carlin's Wildcats first established a new BIG EAST era record with 12 victories. For the first time in program history, the Wildcats claimed BIG EAST Championship victories in consecutive seasons, defeating Seton Hall 3-1 in opening round action.


Over the course of his time on the job, Carlin has worked diligently to enhance the total program. The Wildcats have landed a series of decorated recruiting classes since his promotion from the assistant coaching spot he held in 2007 and reached the BIG EAST Championship in each of his first five seasons at the helm. What's more, there has been an active outreach to the program's alumni base and a continued emphasis on dedication to the community.


The 2011 season ended with a flourish for the Wildcats, who upended No. 18 Notre Dame and No. 5 USF with 1-0 victories on the road to reach the BIG EAST semifinals at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J. This marked the 'Cats first appearance in the semifinals since 1993 and VU battled St. John's for more than 75 minutes in a scoreless battle before the Red Storm notched two late goals to advance.


VU ended the campaign with an 8-9-4 record and established a new single season school record for shutouts (nine).


Carlin first joined the Villanova staff as an assistant coach in June of 2007, bringing him back to the region where he grew up and first made his mark in soccer. He quickly made an impact, helping the Wildcats upset top ranked Duke and return to the BIG EAST Tournament after a one-season absence.


From 2000-2005, Carlin served as the head coach at Arcadia University in Glenside, Pa., where he posted a 99-23-9 record. Over the course of his tenure he steered Arcadia to three Pennsylvania Athletic Conference titles and three NCAA Championship appearances. Arcadia advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight in 2002 and the Sweet 16 in 2001.


Following his stint at Arcadia, Carlin was appointed Associate Head Coach at Northwestern where he assisted in all facets of the program, including recruiting, scouting, and training sessions. Northwestern's 2006 and 2007 recruiting classes were ranked No. 21 in the nation by Soccer America.


Carlin also brings extensive club coaching experience with him to Villanova.


From 2003-06 he was head coach of the Philadelphia Soccer Club Coppa, a U-17/U-18 boy's team that captured the 2004 and 2005 Pennsylvania state championship.


In 2007, he guided the FC Sockers Soccer Club, an 18 and Under boy's team based in Palantine, Ill.


For three seasons, Carlin served with an Olympic Development program as well.


As a player, Carlin was a three-year captain at Arcadia. He was named first team All PAC from 1996-98. He graduated in 1999 with a B.A. in History and a minor in secondary education. He went on to earn a M.A. in Educational Leadership in 2002 from Arcadia.


Carlin and his wife Catara were married in 2012. They have two daughters, Lucy and Ciona.

Alex Balog

Alex Balog joined the Wildcats' as an assistant coach in April 2019 staff after serving six seasons as head coach at Montana State Billings.


“Any time you can hire someone who has already been a head coach, it’s huge,” stated Carlin. “He knows what’s at stake and he knows what it is to be a head coach. Alex is a great recruiter in general, but he’s especially tuned in to the international game. He’s going to take a lot off my plate with international recruiting.


“Alex is also an outstanding goalkeeper coach. He runs a great session and our keepers are super-pumped about him coming here. There’s a lot of good energy coming out of that group. Alex’s great strengths are the two areas where we have most needed the help. It’s a perfect fit.”


Balog served two seasons at MSUB as an assistant coach before taking the helm of the program in 2013. In 2016 he led the Yellow Jackets to a 9-6-3 overall mark and in 2017 was recognized as Great Northwest Athletic Conference Co-Coach of the Year.


Prior to his time at MSUB, Balog served as an assistant coach for two seasons (2009-10) NAIA soccer powerhouse Auburn University Montgomery (AUM. While in Alabama, Balog also coached for the Olympic Development Program and was the Director of Goalkeeping for the FC Torjager club based in Montgomery. He was also a head coach at Lamp High School.


Earlier in his career, Balog played and coached at Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tenn. He played two seasons for the Buccaneers and then worked with the women's program for one season as the goalkeeper coach.


Balog has played soccer in Belgium, Hungary, Greece, England, and the U.S.


During his time in Pennsylvania Balog served as as the Boys Director of Coaching at FC Bucks from April 2020 until January 2022. Since March of 2022 he has served as Technical Director of Atlantic City FC.