Lincoln Memorial University Men's Soccer

Tom Gillette enters the 2025 season in his third year as head coach of the Railsplitter men’s soccer program, holding a 20-9-6 overall record at the helm. Since taking over in April 2023, Gillette has led the program to back-to-back national rankings, peaking at No. 18 in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Under his leadership, LMU reached the SAC Tournament final in 2023 and advanced to the NCAA Super Regional. In 2024, the Railsplitters earned another SAC Tournament berth, falling in the quarterfinals. Gillette has mentored 6 SAC All-Conference selections, 3 SAC Offensive Players of the Week, and 5 SAC Defensive Players of the Week. The program has also celebrated major individual honors under his direction, including 1 First Team All-American, 1 D2CCA Southeast Region Player of the Year, 1 First Team All-Region selection. 1 Second Team All-Region selection, 1 SAC Player of the Year, and statistical champions in goals per match and points per match. Gillette was officially promoted to head coach in April 2023 after serving as interim coach since January 2023. Gillette initially joined the Railsplitter coaching staff in 2022 as an assistant, helping guide the program to a remarkable turnaround from a 2-13-2 record in 2021 to 10-8-1 (6-5 SAC) and a SAC Tournament Final appearance. He played a key role in developing forward Harry Cooke, who earned SAC Player and Freshman of the Year honors and was named Second Team All-America by the D2CCA. Prior to LMU, Gillette spent five seasons as an assistant coach at NCAA Division I Bellarmine University under head coach Tim Chastonay. There, he contributed to several historic milestones, including a 30-game unbeaten streak, multiple All-Americans, and an NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 appearance in 2019. In Bellarmine’s first season at the Division I level, Gillette helped the program win the ASUN North Division and secure a top-10 regional ranking. His coaching résumé also includes serving as Director of Coaching at Oldham Soccer Club and coaching within the Kentucky Olympic Development Program. He holds a USSF 'B' License and a Director of Coaching Diploma. A native of London, England, Gillette played three seasons at Francis Marion University, serving as team captain his senior year. He earned a bachelor’s degree in politics from the University of Nottingham and a master’s degree while at Francis Marion. As a player, he competed in the NPSL and PDL with the Myrtle Beach Mutiny, Tampa Bay Marauders, and Derby City Rovers.    

August Harp has been a member of the LMU men’s soccer team since August 2020. Harp, a former player for the Railsplitters, is in his first year as a graduate assistant.   In December of 2022, Harp received a bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in Marketing from LMU. In 2020 Harp transferred to Lincoln Memorial and played the COVID Spring season followed by two full seasons in 2021 and 2022. During his time as a player at Lincoln Memorial, Harp played in a total of 28 matches, starting 18 of them.   During the time after graduating from Lincoln Memorial, Harp played in two 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup games with NPSL members Appalachian FC from Boone, North Carolina. In the summer of 2023, Harp joined the NPSL team Club Atletico STL in Saint Louis, MO.  Prior to joining Lincoln Memorial, Harp attended Pearl River Community College in Poplarville, MS where he played for the Wildcat’s men’s soccer program from 2018-2020 and earned his associate degree. Following his sophomore season Harp was invited to play in the MACJC All-Star Game and was recruited to play at LMU.  Harp, a native of Jackson, MS attended Murrah High School. In 2018 he graduated and was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame. Harp is currently working towards earning his MBA from LMU while being a member of the men’s soccer coaching staff