Northeast Alabama Community College (NACC) is proud to announce the hiring of Tom Shanklin as the inaugural head coach for the college’s first men’s soccer program. Men’s soccer at NACC is set to begin play in 2025, and construction will begin soon on the college’s new soccer stadium. This milestone marks an exciting new chapter for NACC as it expands its athletic offerings that currently include men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s golf, women’s softball, and Esports.

“We at Northeast are very pleased to hire Tom Shanklin," stated NACC President Dr. David Campbell. "He is a proven coach who has a great reputation for the way he develops players as people. Under Coach Shanklin's leadership, our program has limitless potential."

Shanklin brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record to NACC’s athletic department, having previously coached at Fort Payne High School. Known for his dedication to player development, teamwork, and sportsmanship, Coach Shanklin is poised to lay a strong foundation for the men’s soccer program and inspire the Mustang community as the program takes its first steps.

“I feel honored that Northeast has chosen to entrust me to begin what I hope to be a long and successful soccer program at the college,” said Shanklin. “The environment that surrounds NACC, from the administration to the staff and students is electric. I am excited to bring the culture I’ve built coaching soccer and apply it to the Men’s Mustang Soccer program at Northeast.”

The Mustang soccer team will begin play in 2025 on NACC’s campus. Construction on the college’s soccer field will begin soon. The soccer facility will be located adjacent to the women’s softball stadium, and along with the walking trail, will create a sports complex on the Northeast campus.

“We are excited about the future of our Men’s Soccer Program,” said Northeast Athletic Director Jimmy Kolaitis.”  “Coach Shanklin is a proven coach in this area, and he is very well respected by the community. Not only is Tom a proven winner, but he is also a great leader for young athletes.”

About Coach Shanklin
Shanklin joins NACC from Fort Payne High School, where he has been the head soccer coach since 2011. In his tenure at Fort Payne, Shanklin led the Wildcats to win three state championships and 11 regional championships. Shanklin boats an impressive record of 216-73-19 at Fort Payne High School.

A native of Miami, Florida, Shanklin has lived in the Fort Payne area most of his life. As a high school student, Shanklin was a member of the first soccer program at Fort Payne High School when the state of Alabama introduced soccer at the high school level.

He has been a soccer coach for more than 20 years, including a stint with the DeKalb County Inferno as the Director of Coaching in 2021 and 2022. Shanklin has a passion for developing players and seeing them through to becoming successful adults. Shanklin’s coaching philosophy is “Creating young men to be productive members of society that will in turn give back positively to their community”.

NACC will be releasing more information about the soccer program, including a team roster, schedule, and more in the future. Follow Northeast Athletics on social media to stay up to date on the latest information.