ST. JOSEPH, MO. – Missouri Western State University vice president of intercollegiate athletics Dr. Josh Looney has announced the hiring of Damian Macias as the fourth head soccer coach in MWSU history.
Macias will come to the Griffons after a three-year stint as an assistant at the University of North Dakota, an NCAA Division 1 institution. He was elevated to associate head coach in 2019. During his coaching tenure in Grand Forks, the Fighting Hawks posted their three most successful seasons as a Division 1 member.
"First and foremost - we have found a great human being," Looney said. "His positivity, drive and values are through the roof, which makes Damian a perfect fit for our culture. We take a lot of stock in someone who is building something. What Damian and the staff have accomplished at North Dakota is impressive and very similar to the trajectory the soccer program has taken here at Missouri Western."
"I would personally like to thank Dr. Josh Looney for giving me this exciting opportunity to be a part of the Missouri Western State University soccer program," Macias said. "I am very impressed with the overwhelming sense of community within the athletic department, around campus, and throughout the community. The facilities and academics at MWSU are first class. I am excited to get started and build on the foundation and traditions Chad Edwards established. I would like to thank the University of North Dakota, Bill Chaves, Chris Logan and all of the athletes that I've shared the last three years with. The wonderful environment has helped me grow personally and professionally.
Missouri Western will mark Macias' first opportunity as a collegiate head coach, but his coaching experience spans more than two decades at multiple levels – including high school, club and all three NCAA divisions (I, II and III). Prior to his tenure at North Dakota, Macias spent two year with the prestigious St. Louis Scott Gallagher Soccer Club, serving as premier director for both boys and girls programs.
As a military spouse, Damian is well traveled, with global experience coaching soccer in Germany and Japan.
"Damian's vast experience has provided him with a unique blend of soccer knowledge that we believe will be very beneficial to our student-athletes," associate director of athletics for compliance and sport administration Eric Kramer said. "We look forward to Damian continuing to raise the expectations and help build a championship-caliber soccer program at Missouri Western."
Macias officially replaces Chad Edwards, who resigned in July after nine seasons of guiding the Griffons. Aaron Avila was hired on July 23rd, but stepped down August 4th due to health concerns.
Macias earned his undergraduate degree in criminal justice from the University of Texas-San Antonio before completing his Masters of Science in sports management at Liberty University in 2014. Most recently, he earned a second Masters of Science degree in 2017 from Ohio University in recreation and sports sciences with an emphasis on soccer coaching.
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