Hokie ClubMatt Gwilliam returned to Virginia Tech in March 2015 and is in the ninth year of his second stint as an assistant coach for the Hokies and his ninth overall. Gwilliam returned to Tech after coaching the Hokies for three seasons from 2007-09. He serves as a goalkeeper’s coach, assists with recruiting efforts and helps with many other aspects of the program.
Since his return to Tech, Gwilliam helped develop Mandy McGlynn into one of the top goalkeepers in the country. McGlynn made several appearances with US Soccer national teams and was one of three goalkeepers on the U-20 National Team that competed in the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. She had a season to remember in 2019, which culminated with her being the Hokies' top NWSL draft selection in school history - No. 20 by Sky Blue FC in January 2020. Her most noteworthy accolades include a 2019 All-American, a 2019 Scholar All-American, a two-time All-ACC First Team goalkeeper (2018, 2019) and the 2019 Virginia state player of the year. She also set two school career records - all-time in shutouts (32) and goals against average (0.99). Click here to view her full bio and honors.
In the 2024 season, Gwilliam coached Lauren Hargrove – a two-time ACC Defensive Player of the Week. Hargrove finished third among ACC goalkeepers with a .790 save percentage. The Hokies finished the season with 11 shutouts, the most in a single season since 2014, including a 1-0 shutout win over No. 17 Iowa in the NCAA Sweet 16.
Before returning to Blacksburg, Gwilliam served as an assistant coach at Colorado College, where he primarily worked with goalkeepers and defenders, as well as playing a role in the recruiting efforts. In his two seasons with the Tigers (2013-14), he helped coach the team to 20 shutouts and 156 saves. In 2013, the Tigers were the Conference USA regular season and tournament champions and advanced to the NCAA Championship. During his time at Colorado College, Gwilliam coached five NSCAA Scholar All-Americans, one NWSL draft pick, five all-region players and multiple CUSA and Mountain West all-league players.
Prior to his time Colorado Springs, he was the head coach at Temple University for two seasons (2011-12). While leading the Owl program, Gwilliam recruited and coached two Atlantic 10 All-conference selections and two A-10 All-freshman team members. The squad had the highest statistical ranking in school history in goals against and save percentage.
Before taking over the Temple program, Gwilliam was at Tech and was also an assistant at Marshall and The Citadel. The Quakertown, Pennsylvania, native was an assistant with the 2009 Tech team that advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first-time in program history. During his first stint in Blacksburg, the program achieved its then-highest-ever finish in the ACC in 2009, coupled with an ACC Tournament finals appearance in 2008 and a semifinals appearance in 2009. In 2008, the women’s program set a school record for shutouts and fewest goals against and, in 2009, matched the feat again. Also, the team’s goalkeeper Kristin Carden was named, for the first time in school history, to numerous national awards, including Soccer America National Team of the Week, and to the ACC All-Tournament team.
Gwilliam was a goalkeeper at Elizabethtown College during his college years from 1997-2000, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in social studies education. He was first-team All-Middle Atlantic Conference selection and earned all-academic honors all four years. He helped the Blue Jays win a conference championship and earn a bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Gwilliam earned a Master's Degree in Education from The Citadel and has received an NSCAA premier diploma and national goalkeeping diploma.