ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - After leading Eckerd to the SSC Tournament in the interim role, Eckerd College Director of Athletics Tom Ryan '87 has announced Joe Ilett '10 as the head men's soccer coach.
"I'm thrilled to have Joe permanently take over the program. The team battled through a lot of adversity throughout the year, and I watched how much our student-athletes and the team progressed by the end of the year under Joe's leadership, culminating in an SSC Tournament berth for the first time in eight years," stated Ryan. "I can't wait to see how the program keeps building and succeeding with Joe in charge."
This fall, Ilett led Eckerd to the SSC Tournament for the first time since 2016. The Tritons picked up a win over Division I Stetson (Fla.) on September 24, Eckerd's first over a Division I opponent since at least 2005. He led Robert Thorarinsson to SSC Offensive Player of the Week honors, becoming the first Triton to garner Offensive Player of the Week honors in over 10 years.
Additionally, he led Finn Steele to SSC Defensive Player of the Week accolades while five players were tabbed to the CSC Academic All-District Team.
"I am deeply honored to return to Eckerd College as the head men's soccer coach. It has long been a dream of mine to coach at my alma mater, and it is a special place that has helped shape who I am today. My family and I are excited to become a part of the Eckerd community and contribute to its future successes. It is my hope that I can help our student-athletes have the same life-changing experience as I did," stated Ilett. "I would like to thank Athletic Director Tom Ryan, President Annarelli, and the whole athletic department for having faith in me to lead Eckerd soccer to new heights."
Ilett rejoined the team last spring as an assistant before being announced as the interim head coach in April. He also spent time as an assistant coach for Eckerd from 2009-11.
He has a background working at the professional level, spending the 2021-22 season as the UPSL Head Coach of the St. Petersburg Aztecs, the 2016-17 season with the Colchester United Football Club in England as the Development Coach and FITC Community Sport Coach, and the Technical Coach with West Ham United in 2013.
Ilett brings a wealth of experience from the youth and prep level as well, spending four years with Chicago Fire Soccer from 2013-17, as the Director of Boys Soccer at AYSO Region 300 Extra Program in Illinois from 2015-16, as a coach with the Lyons Township Soccer Club in Illinois from 2017-19, four years with the Chargers Soccer Club in Clearwater spending time as the Academy Coach and Academy Director from 2019-2023, and with the Tampa Bay United Soccer Club in 2023.
Ilett was a four-year member of the men's soccer team, appearing in 67 games with 25 goals and 16 assists. He was a two-time all-conference selection, earning honorable mention honors in 2005 and second-team honors in 2008. He ranks fifth in program history in career goals and tied for fourth in career assists.
