Former Titans soccer player Gallagher excited to lead reinstated UWO men’s program

The celebrated hiring of Darren Gallagher as head men's soccer coach at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh became official this week.

Gallagher, a former Titan soccer player from 2001-2004 who earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees at UWO, was chosen to lead the reinstated program that will start competition in Fall 2027.

He addressed the media in a press conference Tuesday on the UWO campus, beginning by proclaiming "it's a great day to be a Titan!"

Gallagher, who played for the UW-Oshkosh Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, coach Toby Bares, comes to Oshkosh from Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he spent the last five seasons as head coach of the women's soccer program.

While leading the Lions, he coached his teams to a 55-31-15 overall record and recorded at least 10 wins in all four seasons. He led them to three conference regular season titles and one conference tournament title and the program's first NCAA Division III Championship appearance.

UWO Director of Athletics Darryl Sims said as a former UWO player, Gallagher understands the UWO culture and the pride of wearing the Titan uniform. He said Gallagher will not only be head coach, but an "architect of the next era of men's soccer at UWO."

Reviving men' s soccer

Sims stressed that there has been an outpouring of support for reinstated men's soccer and a strong desire to build a championship-caliber program as they look to the fall 2027 season. The men's program was discontinued in 2015.

Now, the recruitment of players has begun and Gallagher said it will be from Wisconsin, the Midwest and beyond.

"Let's make 2027 one of the greatest stories in the history of UW-Oshkosh athletics," Sims said, adding that the story of men's soccer return began with the university backing it and Gallagher as "one that came home to lead it."

Gallagher, who said it was a dream of his to be the next head coach of UWO men's soccer, played during a very successful time at UWO that included a 59-13-6 record and qualifying for the Division III Championship three times.

A defender, Gallagher played in 57 matches with 42 starts, including every Oshkosh match across his final two seasons.

He said he witnessed the successful culture created by legendary coach Bares, who was part of the search committee and attended the press conference.

"He (Bares) believed in his players, inspired us to pursue excellence and together we achieved incredible things through hard work, commitment and unity," Gallagher said. "Those values will continue to serve as the foundation of this program moving forward."

Titans pride

At UWO, Gallagher met his wife, Kristin (Malstrom) Gallagher, who also played soccer as a Titan (2002-2005). The two are parents to three children. Kristin Gallagher said they are really excited about the return of the men's program and helping lead it into the future.

Gallagher's parents, who plan to travel to some of the games, said they believe if anyone can restore a successful men's soccer program, it is their son.

Darren Gallagher does not take the task lightly.

"As an alumnus, I take tremendous pride and responsibility in representing the over 300 former players, coaches and friends of UW-Oshkosh men's soccer who built this program over the past four decades," Gallagher said shortly after being hired. "Our mission is not only to build for the future, but also to honor and restore a legacy that began in 1984 when Coach Bares stepped onto this campus."

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