SMU Brings Nick Petrucelli Back To The Hilltop

DALLAS - SMU women’s soccer is bringing a familiar name back to Dallas, and this move has serious Hilltop energy.

Nicholas Petrucelli, a former SMU men’s soccer player and women’s soccer graduate assistant, is returning to the Mustangs as an assistant coach under head coach Nicole Nelson.

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For a program looking to keep building in the ACC era, this isn’t just a reunion. It’s a calculated hire with local roots, pro experience and plenty of Mustang DNA.

Petrucelli comes back to SMU after two seasons with Dallas Trinity FC in the Gainbridge Super League, where he helped the club become one of the league’s early success stories.

Trinity FC finished fourth in the 2025-26 regular season and clinched its second straight playoff berth, making it one of only two clubs to reach the postseason in each of the league’s first two years.

SMU isn’t just adding someone who knows the campus. It’s adding a coach who has worked inside a professional environment and helped players produce.

In Trinity FC’s inaugural season, the club finished third overall, while former Mustang Allie Thornton exploded for 13 goals and won the league’s Golden Boot. That kind of attacking development should grab the attention of SMU fans immediately.

Petrucelli’s path also includes time at Louisiana, where he helped the Ragin’ Cajuns reach the 2023 Sun Belt Conference Tournament, and four seasons at Miami as Director of Operations.

He also coached at Ransom Everglades School in Florida, helping guide the team to an 18-2-3 record, a state title match appearance and a No. 2 national ranking from SoccerWire.com.

But the SMU connection runs deeper than a resume line.

Petrucelli played for the Mustangs men’s soccer program, debuting in 2014 against Central Arkansas, and later served on the women’s soccer staff as an undergraduate assistant and video coordinator.

During that stint, SMU reached double-digit wins, went 2-1-1 against top-25 opponents and closed 2017 by winning five of its final six matches.

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He also comes from a decorated soccer family. His father, Chris Petrucelli, coached SMU women’s soccer for 10 seasons and led the Mustangs to two NCAA Tournament appearances.

Now Nick Petrucelli gets his own shot to help shape the next chapter.

For SMU, this hire feels personal. It also feels ambitious.

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