Omar Gallo
Omar Gallo

Bio

Omar Gallo enters his 14th season leading the Holy Cross College men’s soccer program, where he has guided the Saints to 118 total wins, including 73 victories in Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) play. Under his direction, the Saints have reached the CCAC Tournament 9 times.
In addition to his collegiate success, Coach Gallo recently completed his UEFA A License with the Northern Ireland Federation. His program has earned recognition beyond the field as well—most notably in 2016 when, despite narrowly missing the CCAC Tournament, Holy Cross was awarded the Indiana Soccer TOPSoccer Program of the Year, while Gallo himself was honored as the Indiana Soccer Director of Coaching of the Year.
 
During his time at Holy Cross, Gallo has coached more than 20 All-Conference players, including First-Team selections such as Niko Jelicic, Garbhan Grant, Lukman Ahmed-Shaibu, Jonghyun Son, and Axel Valenzuela. He also mentored NAIA All-American defender Martin Von Thun, who went on to play his fifth year at the University of Notre Dame. To date, over 10 of Gallo’s former players are competing professionally across the globe.
 
Gallo has also coached 25 CCAC Player of the Week honorees and a National Player of the Week award winner.
 
Outside of Holy Cross, Gallo serves as the Executive Director of Echo Premier Soccer Club. He also holds a United Soccer Coaches Premier Diploma, a Level 3 Goalkeeping Diploma, and a U.S. Soccer National D License.
 
Originally from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, Gallo graduated from Cathedral High School before attending Mohawk College, where he earned a degree in Police Foundations. In 2005, he received an athletic and academic scholarship to Cape Breton University (Sydney, Nova Scotia). As team captain, he helped lead the Capers to their first Atlantic University Conference Championship. His playing career was decorated with honors, including First Team All-Star, Academic All-Canadian, and Canadian Interuniversity Male Athlete of the Week. He graduated in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts in Community Studies.