Trinity Western University

Former Division III All-American men’s soccer star Joseph Cullen (Clementon, NJ) was appointed the 13th head coach in the history of the New Jersey City University men’s soccer program on June 27, 2016. He enters his third season as head coach of the Gothic Knights in 2018.
 
Cullen, who previously served as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Montclair State University, and most recently Moravian College, succeeds Patrick Snyder, who resigned in June 2016 after four seasons (2012-15) for a position on the club soccer circuit.
 
Cullen, a 2010 graduate of Montclair State, spent the previous two seasons (2014-15) as an assistant coach at Moravian in Bethlehem, Pa. in the Landmark Conference.
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Cullen arrived at Moravian after serving four successful seasons as an assistant at Montclair from 2010-13. The Red Hawks reached the NCAA Tournament each season, advancing to the second round in 2010 (14-5-3) before surging to the NCAA national semifinals in 2011 (19-4-3). As an encore, MSU reached the Elite 8 in back-to-back years in 2012 (19-3-1) and 2013 (17-4-3)—marking the program’s third consecutive appearance in the national quarterfinals during his tenure. Montclair posted a combined 69-16-10 ledger (.779).
 
Cullen added: “I am super excited for the opportunity that NJCU has offered to me. I’m very grateful for the chance that has been given. I couldn’t ask for a better place to be, in a great area, in a great conference, coaching Division III sports which I had the opportunity to play. This is one of the most ideal positions I could have asked for. I’m very thankful and I’m very excited to get going and excited for the fall season.”
 
On the pitch for the Red Hawks, Cullen produced one of the finest men's soccer careers in MSU history, teaming with his brother, Michael, to catapult the Red Hawks to four consecutive New Jersey Athletic Conference championship in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 and four straight NCAA Tournament appearances. In four seasons, Montclair was an incredible combined 77-7-4 (.898) with Cullen in the lineup and boasted a near-perfect mark of 32-3-1 (.903) in the conference; ironically two of the three losses came against NJCU.
 
Cullen’s career culminated when, as a senior co-captain in 2009, he became the 24th All-America recipient in Montclair history, garnering NSCAA Division III Second-Team honors. A three-time All-Region selection by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, he was First-Team All-NSCAA South Atlantic and First-Team All-ECAC in 2009. He also earned First-Team All-Region distinction in 2008 and Second-Team in 2007.
 
A three-time All-NJAC selection, Cullen was selected the 2009 Pat Baldiserra Midfielder of the Year. He was named First-Team All-Conference in 2008 and 2009 and Second-Team All-NJAC as a sophomore in 2007.
 
Cullen appeared in 87 career contests—more than any player who has ever donned a Montclair State uniform—starting 80 times. He capped his career ranking third all-time in assists with 28 and netted 16 goals for a 60-point career, including nine game-winning tallies. In all, 81 of his 206 career shots were on target,
 
As a freshman in 2006, MSU went 20-1-1 and reached the NCAA Round of 16 as Cullen logged eight assists (one goal) for 10 points, playing in all 22 games with 16 starts. He would start all but one game the remainder of his career. As a sophomore, MSU was 19-3-1, knocked off NJCU in the NJAC championship game, then again in a classic 3-2 overtime game in the Round of 16 to reach the Elite 8. He had two goals and five assists (nine points) in 23 games (all starts).
 
Statistically, his junior season was his most prolific as Cullen bagged career highs of eight goals and 10 assists for 26 points, including four game winners while playing in all 22 contests (21 starts) for an MSU team that opened the year with a 21-0 record before losing to Messiah, 1-0 in two overtimes in the Round of 16, to wrap up a 21-1 campaign. As a senior, Montclair went 17-2-2, advanced to the NCAA second round and he produced five goals and five assists (15 points) with three game-winners in 20 games (20 starts).
 
A 2005 graduate of Highland Regional High School in Blackwood, NJ he earned All-State honors for the Tartans.
 
“One of the things that excites me about NJCU is the past. The past proves there is a bright future here. The teams from the 2005-10 era were excellent, excellent teams and prove that you can be a national powerhouse here and compete in the NJAC. I understand that this will take some time and a lot of hard work. You have to understand it’s not going to happen overnight but that has to be the goal and that has to be where you want to take this, because it’s been proven that it’s an institution where soccer can thrive and we will really put something special out on the field everyday.”