Tom Fitzgerald
Tom Fitzgerald
  • Induction Year:
    2004
  • Induction Type:
    Contributor
Bio

Tom Fitzgerald led Tampa to the 1994 NCAA II National Championship and is just the third coach in history to win NCAA titles in both Division I (UCLA) and Division II. He led the Spartans to three NCAA II Final Four appearances while his teams won five Sunshine State Conference Championships and made nine consecutive trips to the NCAA II Tournament. He left UT for a position in Major League Soccer ultimately leading the Columbus Crew to the playoffs and coached two years at UCLA before returning to UT in 2004.

Fitzgerald began his collegiate coaching career at the University of Tampa, serving as an assistant coach from 1981 to 1986 before taking the helm as head coach in 1987. During his initial nine-year tenure, he compiled an impressive record of 131–33–11 (.797), leading the Spartans to five Sunshine State Conference championships and the 1994 NCAA Division II National Championship—the program's first. His teams made seven NCAA Tournament appearances and reached the semifinals three times. ​

In 2004, Fitzgerald returned to the University of Tampa for a second stint as head coach, guiding the team through the season before his untimely death in December. His overall record at Tampa stands at 137–42–12 (.786), with five conference titles and a national championship. ​

Transitioning to the professional ranks, Fitzgerald joined Major League Soccer's Columbus Crew as an assistant coach in 1996. Midway through the season, he was promoted to head coach, a position he held until 2001. Under his leadership, the Crew achieved a 70–67–7 record, making four consecutive playoff appearances and reaching the 1998 U.S. Open Cup Final. ​

In 2002, Fitzgerald took over as head coach of the UCLA men's soccer team. Remarkably, he led the Bruins to the NCAA Division I National Championship in his first season, becoming the first coach to achieve such a feat in his inaugural year with a program. Over two seasons, he amassed a 38–5–4 record, secured two Pac-10 Conference titles, and was named the 2002 NSCAA/adidas National Coach of the Year. ​

Fitzgerald's career collegiate coaching record stands at 176–46–16, encompassing 11 NCAA tournament appearances and two national championships—one each in Division I and Division II. He is one of only three coaches to have won NCAA titles in both divisions. ​

Beyond his on-field successes, Fitzgerald was revered for his mentorship and the profound impact he had on his players and colleagues. His legacy continues through the annual Tom Fitzgerald Memorial Soccer Festival and the scholarship fund established in his name at the University of Tampa.