Wheaton College IL Women's Soccer

On December 14, 2021, former Wheaton College Athletics Director Julie Davis ('91) named Patrick Gilliam as the head coach of the Wheaton women's soccer team. Gilliam came to Wheaton from Trinity International University, where he had served as the head women's soccer coach since 1997. Davis says of the hiring of Gilliam, "Patrick brings a tremendous amount of experience as a head women's soccer coach to his new role at Wheaton. His commitment to being a great soccer coach combined with a passion to develop students spiritually make him a great fit for what we're about. I am excited to have him join the Wheaton community and lead our women's soccer program." The 2025 season will mark Gilliam's fourth in charge of the Thunder program. Gilliam's third season as head coach in 2024 saw the Thunder win seven matches, post a winning record at home, and pick up the program's first conference tournament victory on the road since 2015, a 3-2 success at Elmhurst University that secured Wheaton's place in the CCIW semifinals. The Thunder had three players named to the All-CCIW teams, with senior midfielder Mia Blair earning First Team recognition and Grace Crowder and Emily Setran collecting Second Team honors. Gilliam's side won six matches in the 2023 campaign and placed second in the CCIW standings, earning the right to host a conference tournament semifinal game. The Thunder lost just one of their eight CCIW matches and entered the postseason on a six-game unbeaten run, allowing only four goals in that span. Wheaton again had four players recognized as All-Conference honorees, and senior midfielder Audrey Sexson was also a United Soccer Coaches All-Region selection. In his first season as the head coach of the Thunder women's soccer team, Gilliam guided the squad to six victories and a winning record in conference play. He earned his first CCIW Tournament victory as head coach when Wheaton topped Carthage College in a quarterfinal match in October 2022. The Thunder's defense was one of the best in the conference in Gilliam's first campaign, pitching a four-game shutout streak in CCIW action. Four members of the team earned All-Conference recognition in 2022, and Lauren Ketchum and Sarah Max were named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Region list following standout seasons. Gilliam began his tenure as the head women's soccer coach at Trinity International in August of 1997. He is the third-winningest coach in NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) women's soccer history with a career record of 342-168-28 (.661 winning percentage). His teams made six NAIA Tournament appearances, winning three Regionals. In addition to its membership in the NAIA, Trinity International is also a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA). Gilliam's teams won NCCAA Championships in 1998 and 2004, with National Runner-Up finishes in 2003, 2005 and 2001. Three Trinity International players under his tutelage earned NCCAA National Player of the Year awards. He was named the NCCAA Coach of the Year in 1998 and 2004, and in 2016 he was inducted into the NCCAA Hall of Fame. Gilliam guided the Trojans to five Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) Tournament Championships, and three CCAC regular season titles. Trinity International made 24-consecutive CCAC Tournament appearances (1997-2020) in his tenure, as he mentored three CCAC Players of the Year. Gilliam says of his appointment as the Wheaton head coach, "I am most certainly humbled by the opportunity that the Lord has given me to be a part of the Wheaton staff. Obviously, there is a longstanding tradition of success and a rich legacy here that includes not just great players, but quality people and amazing student-athletes." He adds, "I have a tremendous respect for what Pete Felske did in his time at Wheaton; not only building a conference champion level program, but a team that is nationally recognized and competitive." Gilliam concludes, "I greatly appreciate Wheaton's desire for excellence on the field, coupled with an equally strong dedication to holistic development of the person and Kingdom impact." In addition to his role as head women's soccer coach at Trinity International, he served as the TIU Director of Athletics (2000-08), and Assistant Athletic Director (2017-21). Additionally, he served as head men's soccer coach (1996-2000; and 2008-17) in addition to other coaching roles for the Trojan Athletic Department. Prior to joining the Trinity International coaching staff in 1996, he served as a teacher and coach at Aurora Christian High School (1991-96).

The fall of 2024 will mark Jeanne Nielson's second season as the full-time assistant women's soccer coach at Wheaton College.  Nielson is a 2005 graduate of Trinity International University where she played four seasons of soccer under current Wheaton head coach Patrick Gilliam, helping lead the Trojans to the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) National Championship. She was honored as a NCCAA All-American in her senior year in 2004. Following graduation, Nielson served as head junior varsity coach at Trinity International between 2006-07 and as the head women's soccer coach at Chicago Hope Academy from 2007 to 2009. She was a varsity assistant coach and head JV coach at Wheaton Academy between 2009-10 and has served as a coach for Wheaton United club soccer since 2017. Gilliam says of the addition of Nielson, "I am extremely excited to have Jeanne as a part of our coaching staff. I look forward to working alongside her and the shared vision we have for a team culture that is highly competitive, and yet also deeply relational…both healthy and high performing." He adds of Nielson, "Jeanne possesses a passion for students and a strong understanding of the unique discipleship and growth opportunities that exist within the world of intercollegiate athletics." Prior to joining the Wheaton coaching staff, Jeanne served as a coach and trainer at Orange Theory Fitness in Glen Ellyn. She lives in West Chicago with her husband, Jon, and their four daughters. Jeanne's husband, Jon, is a 2005 Wheaton graduate having played four seasons for the men's basketball program. He was an ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American and Josten's Trophy finalist in his senior season. Jon is currently a pastor at Christ Presbyterian Church in Roselle.