Chris McGaughey was named head coach of the Gonzaga University men’s soccer program in November 2025 after serving as interim head coach earlier that year. Having joined the staff prior to the 2023 season, he quickly established himself as a leader within the program. In his first full season at the helm, McGaughey guided the Bulldogs to measurable progress in West Coast Conference play, including their highest point total in five seasons. His team also achieved key milestones such as producing an MLS SuperDraft selection and earning multiple all-conference honors, while maintaining strong academic performance with a team GPA above 3.5.
Before arriving at Gonzaga, McGaughey spent five years as an assistant coach at CSU Bakersfield, where he helped lead the program to multiple postseason appearances and contributed to player development and community engagement initiatives. As a player, he had a distinguished career, beginning at Tyler Junior College where he was a two-time All-American and national champion, followed by a standout tenure at Missouri–Kansas City where he earned team MVP honors. He later played professionally in Northern Ireland. Originally from Lurgan, Ireland, McGaughey brings an international playing background and a development-focused coaching philosophy centered on leadership, academics, and competitive growth.
