Drexel names David Castellanos as head men’s soccer coach

A familiar face will be leading the Drexel men’s soccer program in 2024 with the announcement Thursday that David Castellanos has been hired as the eighth head coach in program history.

Castellanos returns to Drexel after a year as the head coach at Chestnut Hill College. He served as an assistant coach with the program prior to taking the Chestnut Hill job. He’s also been active coaching and directing the boys academy program with Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals.

A former professional who was born in Virginia but grew up in Philadelphia, Castellanos played for C.D. Motagua in Hondorus, the Colorado Rapids, Minnesota Thunder and Virginia Beach Mariners before coming home to play indoor with the Philadelphia KiXX. He won a national championship at UConn in 2000, providing an assist in the College Cup final.

“As a Philadelphia native, it is a great privilege to lead this team and continue upholding the standard of excellence that Drexel has deeply established over the many years,” Castellanos stated in the news release. “The significance of this opportunity is not lost on me. My staff and I will work tirelessly to foster a championship culture by nurturing the collective and continuing to create successful and versatile student athletes, on and off the field. Drexel Men’s Soccer has a rich history of success, and we will rely on the investment and foundation our alumni have created to guide us to victory. I am eager to get started working with the staff and team to continue building a successful program and making our Drexel community proud.”

Castellanos follows Mark Fetrow, who coached the team during the 2023 season after Michael Marchiano resigned in July. Fetrow returned to Villanova to take the head job there after Tom Carlin retired. Castellanos previously serve as head coach at Penn State Abington and with Reading United.

“David has had a successful track record as a student athlete, professional soccer player and coach, inclusive of his time at Drexel when we experienced a rebuild that yielded the successful program that presents today,” Athletic Director Maisha Kelly stated in the news release. “We were fortunate to have a competitive pool of candidates where Dave’s passion and commitment to Drexel men’s soccer was evident and palpable. I look forward to the next chapter and continued success of our men’s soccer program under Dave’s leadership.”

Castellanos isn’t the only soccer coach in his family. His younger brother, Sammy Castellanos, is the head of development at the Chicago Fire Academy and the U17 head coach. He was previously with the New York Red Bulls.