He was promoted to assistant coach prior to the 2016 season after spending his first year with the College of Charleston in a volunteer capacity. Before becoming a coach, Tam captained the Cougars in 2013 when he started all 18 games for the squad. Tam helped the Cougars transition into their first season in the Colonial Athletic Association by being named a second-team All-CAA selection and voted team MVP. In 2012, McGowan's first season at The College, he started all 19 games and logged 1653 minutes (87 minutes per game). Before Charleston, he was captain of Cloud County Community College soccer team for two seasons, leading the Cloud to the 2011 National Junior College National Championship.