Biographic Sketch of Coach Tom LaGuardia, Sullivan South High School Soccer

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Coach LaGuardia is entering his second season as the Head Soccer Coach at Sullivan South High School. In 2003 he led the Rebels to their best record in seven years. The team finished with a 9-7 record against arguably the most demanding schedule in school history.

Coach LaGuardia has worked at all levels of the game. He started his coaching career with a Kingsport Youth Soccer Association recreational team at the age of fifteen. After three years of working at the youth level, he made the transition to coaching at a high competitive level. In 1992-93 Tom served as the Assistant Coach for the Clemson University Women’s Club team. He stepped away from coaching until 1998, when he took an assignment as the Goalkeeper Coach for the East Tennessee State University Women’s team.

In 1999 Coach LaGuardia directed the Kingsport Pride U-18 boys club team to the Tennessee Division 2 State Title. Continuing his work at the club level, he took the reigns of the East Tennessee Soccer Federation ‘87 Boys program in April of 2001. Over the next two and a half years the ETSF ‘87 Boys captured eight tournament titles. The team competed at the highest level in Tennessee, fairing well at the 2002 and 2003 Tennessee Division 1 State Tournaments. Coach LaGuardia’s combined club record as a head coach stands at 77-19-8.

Tom has also focused on his own coaching education. He currently holds a NSCAA Advanced National Diploma. In addition, Coach LaGuardia spends his summers working with the youth players in East Tennessee and across the South. For the past two Summers he has served as the Director of The Total Soccer Player Academy. In 2003 he played the role of staff coach at the Clemson Soccer Academy for both the elite and advanced sessions.

Tom recognizes that talented soccer players are developed at a young age. In 2003 the Sullivan program launched the inaugural Rebel Soccer Clinic. Selected members of the Boys and girls teams assist the coaching staff for a three hour technical clinic designed to create a positive learning environment for the younger player. “The programs success is two fold: First, we are sending young players home with a fun and technically solid approach to the game. Second, we are working closely with our players as they consider making the transition to coaching in the future.”-Coach LaGuardia

Tom attributes his coaching style to a collaboration of coaches from his playing days. Claudio Carlin, who brought soccer to Kingsport, was Tom’s coach for twelve years. “Claudio is my mentor. He taught me the game. He instilled passion, attention to detail , and focus into my game. He also provided me with a solid technical and tactical base for soccer.”

Coach LaGuardia’s approach was influenced primarily by two of his college coaches. The majority of his philosophy is based on Dave Masur’s (St. John’s University Head Coach) methodology. “The most important lesson that Coach Masur taught me was that everyone has some idea or concept related to the game that he had not thought of. He believed that it was his duty to bring this information to light and to listen to everyone’s thoughts. This has been critical for my coaching. I am always seeking out what has proven to be successful for other coaches. The main reason that I spend my summers staffing camps is for the exchange of ideas that flows through the coaching staffs.” Coach LaGuardia’s approach to training goalkeepers and his hands on approach are a direct result of his Goalkeeper Coach at Clemson University, Mike Estes.

Tom played four seasons for Dobyns-Bennett High School in Kingsport. During his high school career, the Indians reached the state quarterfinals all four years, and finished as Tennessee State Runners-Up to Christian Brothers his Junior season. He went on to red-shirt at Clemson University before transferring to St. John’s University in New York. In his one season at St. John’s Tom served as a reserve goalkeeper while the team finished the regular season undefeated and claimed the Big East regular season and tournament titles.

Coach LaGuardia resides in the Kingsport area with his wife and two children.

Coach LaGuardia is entering his second season at

Sullivan South High School