Bio

Damian Houlden enters his seventh season as head coach of the men's soccer program in 2021-22, as well as his 16th year at Mitchell College.  

The men's soccer program has flourished under Houlden's direction. In 2017 he led the Mariners to their first-ever New England Collegiate Conference title and NCAA Championship appearance. Mitchell posted a 6-1 record in league play to earn the top seed in the conference tournament, and 1-0 win over Elms College in the title game earned an automatic NCAA berth. For his efforts, Houlden was selected as NECC Coach of the Year. 

The Mariners have remained competitive in the league since earning their first championship in the NCAA Division III era. In 2018, Mitchell finished second in the conference standings and made a return trip to the NECC title game. In 2019 the Mariners qualified for the postseason but were eliminated in penalty kicks in the first round of the tournament.

Since taking over the men's program in 2015, Houlden has kept the Mariners atop the NECC standings. Mitchell has posted a 53-30-3 record in league action over the past 13 years and has qualified for the NECC Championship in each season. The Mariners have produced a total of 52 all-conference selections during that time span, including 19 during Houlden's tenure.

Houlden previously served as head coach of the Mitchell women's program for nine seasons. He built the program into a NECC contender, leading his teams to the NECC Championship five times as well as back-to-back finals appearances in 2009 and 2010. The Mariners captured the title in 2010 with a 2-1 victory over Lesley University and earned an automatic bid into the NCAA Championship for the first time in school history. Over the course of his final seven years he produced a total of 20 all-conference selections, including a NECC Player, Rookie and Goalkeeper of the Year.

Houlden hails from Louth, England and has a wealth of experience coaching at the club level and developing soccer players. He currently coaches for the Southeast Soccer Club and was an ODP staff coach from 2004-06. Houlden also gained valuable coaching experience while on the staff for the New England Revolution Academy from 2005-06.

Houlden has completed the English certification UEFA B License, FA Coaching License, and he has also earned a Regional Goalkeeper Diploma. He most recently completed the training program from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) and received the Primier National Diploma with distinction.

Houlden played for Mitchell College and was a letterwinner on the men's soccer team. He was honored as a New England All-Conference First Team selection for his efforts from his central defense position.

Houlden received his degree in sport management from Mitchell College and earned a Master's in exercise science and sports psychology from the California University of Pennsylvania.