NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nashville Soccer Club has secured the future of its highly successful head coach, B.J. Callaghan, announcing a contract extension through the 2028-29 MLS season. The move comes after a landmark 2025 season that saw the club claim its first major professional sports championship in Tennessee history – the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup – and set numerous club records.
Callaghan, who was appointed as the second head coach in Nashville SC history on , quickly established himself as a transformative figure. His first full season at the helm culminated in a U.S. Open Cup victory over Austin FC by a score of 2-1, marking a watershed moment for the franchise and the city.
The extension was lauded by Nashville SC President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Mike Jacobs. “B.J. Has had a tremendous impact on our group’s success, and his extension is well-deserved,” Jacobs said. Callaghan himself expressed gratitude for the support he’s received. “I am grateful for the trust that John Ingram, Ian Ayre and Mike Jacobs, the players and the staff have shown in me,” he stated. “What matters most is the work we’re doing every day — building a strong culture, developing players and creating a team that our supporters, the city of Nashville and the state of Tennessee can identify with and believe in, and I’m excited to keep pushing this project forward together.”
The season wasn’t just about the trophy. Nashville SC shattered several club records under Callaghan’s leadership. The team achieved a franchise-best 22 wins across all competitions, including 17 in MLS play. They also established a new standard for consistency, boasting a 15-game unbeaten streak overall and a 12-game unbeaten run within MLS. Offensively, the Boys in Gold were prolific, scoring a record 75 goals throughout the season. Their dominance at GEODIS Park was also evident, securing a record 15 home wins.
Individual accolades also highlighted the team’s success. Nashville SC sent a club-record three players – Hany Mukhtar, Andy Najar, and Sam Surridge – to the MLS All-Star game, a testament to the rising talent within the squad.
The impact of Callaghan’s leadership extends beyond statistics and trophies. Jacobs emphasized the coach’s understanding of the modern game and the MLS landscape. “What’s great about B.J. As a coach, is he understands the modern game, from a tactical standpoint,” Jacobs explained. “He also understands the ecosystem of Major League Soccer. From a personal standpoint, he’s everything that we want in a coach. He’s the first guy in the building.”
Callaghan’s commitment to Nashville is equally clear. “The city’s a great place to live, the club is a great place to work, the players are great to work with, the staff and everything, so for me, when I wake up and I beat Mike here every morning, it’s because I’m excited to do it and I’m excited to stay,” he said.
Nashville SC’s immediate focus shifts to the Concacaf Champions Cup, where they will face Atlético Ottawa, the Canadian Premier League champions, on . They will then return to GEODIS Park on to kick off their MLS season against the New England Revolution at 7:30 p.m. CT. With Callaghan now firmly in place through the season, the club appears poised to build on its recent success and establish itself as a perennial contender in MLS.
The extension of Callaghan’s contract signals a long-term commitment to a winning formula. His ability to foster a strong team culture, develop players, and deliver results has clearly resonated with ownership and the front office. As Nashville SC embarks on its campaign, the expectations will be high, but with Callaghan at the helm, the club appears well-equipped to meet those challenges and continue its upward trajectory.
