UMass Lowell Athletics

Bob Thompson was named the Associate Head Coach in February 2017, after spending his first three seasons with the River Hawks as an assistant.

2017 will mark Thompson's 11th season in college soccer. 

In the program's fourth year in the Division I transition in 2016, the River Hawks went 13-1-2 and were ranked as high as No. 11 in the NSCAA Top 25 and No. 3 in the RPI. The team went on to capture the first America East Regular Season Championship in school and program history. 

Following the season, the coaching staff earned the America East Coaching Staff of the Year and NSCAA East Region Coaching Staff of the Year honors. The team has seven America East All-Conference honors, and took home AE Striker, AE Goalie, AE Defender and AE Rookie of the Year awards, as well as ECAC Rookie of the Year. The River Hawks saw three players named to NSCAA All-East Region Teams, and Wuilito Fernandes was named a MAC Hermann Semifinalist, First-Team All-American and was invited to the 2017 MLS Player Combine.

Prior to UMass Lowell, Thompson spent two seasons as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at his alma mater, Boston College. In 2012, Thompson helped guide the Eagles to a season high national ranking of 18, and a NCAA Tournament birth. That team saw two players, Kyle Bekker (3rd overall, Toronto FC) and Charlie Rugg (18th overall, LA Galaxy) drafted, as well. 

Thompson's first recruiting class was highlighted by Zeiko Lewis, who was named ACC Rookie of the Year after leading the entire country in assists as a freshman. Thompson also brought in U19 Borussia Dortmund and German National Team captain, Lennard Zeugnar, one of the top defenders in college soccer.

Before returning to Chestnut Hill, Thompson spent two seasons at Tufts as the top assistant and recruiting coordinator, spearheading a turnaround in which the Jumbos went 9-3-2 in 2011, peaking at No. 14, following a 2-10-2 finish prior to Thompson's arrival. In 2014, two of Thompson's classes led the Jumbos to the DIII National Championship, including All-American Sam Williams and Tournament MVP Gus Santos.

Thompson previously spent three seasons at Northeastern, appearing in three consecutive conference tournaments.

As a player he ranks among the BC greats, earning NSCAA All-American honors as a senior and was named Big East Tournament MVP in 2000 and 2002. Thompson finished his career in the top-10 of multiple categories and won two Big East Championships, one regular season title and made three NCAA Tournament appearances, including an Elite 8 birth, and had the most single-season wins with 18.

After graduation, Thompson spent two seasons (2004-05) with the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer, and spent one season in the Second Division in Greece.

He is currently completing his professional UEFA B license with the Irish Football Federation, and holds a NSCAA Advanced National Diploma. Thompson is also a NSCAA staff coach.