Bio

Paul Wright enters his ninth season as Head Men's Soccer Coach at the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) in 2026. Since the program's inaugural season in 2018, Wright has guided the Blue Jays to an 85-32-15 record and postseason appearances in each of the program's six eligible seasons (the 2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19), including Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Championships in 2022, 2024, and 2025.

The 2025 season further cemented the Blue Jays as a GNAC powerhouse, as Wright led the program to its third conference championship and second consecutive title. After earning the top seed in the GNAC Tournament for the second straight season, USJ defeated second-seeded Rivier University on its home field to successfully defend its conference crown. The Blue Jays advanced to their third NCAA Tournament appearance before falling to Connecticut College in the opening round. The GNAC title marked the 15th conference championship in USJ Athletics history. Wright also coached seven All-GNAC selections, including GNAC Offensive Player of the Year Mario Milardo, GNAC Defensive Player of the Year Nicholas Simpson, and GNAC Rookie of the Year Nico Hamzavi.

In 2024, Wright continued to make history at USJ, guiding the Blue Jays to their second GNAC Championship. After securing the top seed in the conference tournament, USJ defeated third-seeded Johnson & Wales University at home to capture the title. The Blue Jays advanced to their second NCAA Tournament appearance before falling to Wesleyan University in the opening round. The championship marked the 13th conference title in USJ Athletics history. For his efforts, Wright was named the 2024 GNAC Coach of the Year. He also coached five All-GNAC selections, led by First Team honorees Dane Stephens and Landon Coelho.

In 2022, Wright guided the Blue Jays to one of the most successful seasons in program history, capturing the GNAC Championship in just the program's fifth season by upsetting second-seeded Johnson & Wales University on the road. USJ advanced to its first NCAA Tournament appearance before falling to Franklin & Marshall in the opening round. The championship marked the 10th conference title in USJ Athletics history. Wright also coached midfielder Michael Torres, who became the first student-athlete in USJ history to earn GNAC Athlete of the Year honors. Torres was later named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Region I Second Team, while four Blue Jays earned All-GNAC recognition.

Wright brought a wealth of soccer knowledge and strong Connecticut recruiting ties with him to USJ. Prior to joining the Blue Jays, he served as an assistant coach at NESCAC member Trinity College in Hartford. During his tenure with the Bantams, Wright helped mentor an All-NESCAC First Team selection and 10 student-athletes who earned NESCAC All-Academic Team honors.

Before returning to the collegiate ranks with Trinity, Wright spent the 2016 season as head men's soccer coach at the Kingswood Oxford School in West Hartford. He previously served as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Central Connecticut State University, from 2006-12, and also coached at Plainville High School and Maloney High School before taking over the Kingswood Oxford program.

In 2007, Wright helped guide Division I Central Connecticut State to the most successful season in the university's athletic history, as the Blue Devils captured the Northeast Conference (NEC) Championship and advanced to the NCAA Division I Sweet 16. In 2011, CCSU tied for the NEC regular-season championship with a 7-3 conference record. Under Wright's guidance, Blue Devil standouts Yan Klukowski and David Tyrie were both named to the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List in 2007. The pair also combined for six NSCAA/Adidas All-Region selections and earned All-NEC honors throughout their collegiate careers.

A standout player at CCSU, Wright earned a bachelor's degree in exercise science in 1999 and was a two-time All-Mid-Continent Conference selection and two-time All-New England honoree. In 1995, he tied the NCAA single-game record by scoring eight goals against Maryland Eastern Shore while adding an assist, setting a CCSU record with 17 points in a single game. Wright ranks second in program history with 23 goals in a season (1996) and fourth with 50 points in a season, also recorded in 1996. In recognition of his outstanding playing career, Wright was inducted into the Central Connecticut State University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022.

Following his collegiate career, Wright played three seasons for the Western Massachusetts Pioneers of the USL D-3 Pro League and was a member of the club's 1999 championship team. He later played for the Philadelphia Kixx of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL), helping the club reach the league finals in 2002. Wright also gained professional experience overseas with Real Balompédica Linense of Spain's Segunda B division.

Wright holds both USSF "A" and "B" coaching licenses and currently serves as an FSA boys club coach in addition to his duties at USJ.

Wright resides in West Hartford, Connecticut, with his wife, Emily, and their sons, Liam and Frederick.

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