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Avila takes over Barton men’s soccer program

Barton Women's Soccer Head Coach Aaron Avila gives instruction to his players during first half action against Allen Community College. Game played Saturday, September 21, 2013 at the Cougar Soccer Complex on the campus of Barton Community College in Great Bend, KS.
Barton Women's Soccer Head Coach Aaron Avila gives instruction to his players during first half action against Allen Community College. Game played Saturday, September 21, 2013 at the Cougar Soccer Complex on the campus of Barton Community College in Great Bend, KS.
Posted: Jun 26, 2014

The Barton Community College Board of Trustees approved at today's Board meeting for Aaron Avila to take over as head coach for the men's soccer team.   Avila, who will also continue to lead the Lady Cougar soccer program, becomes the fourth coach in Barton's nationally renowned and Region VI powerhouse men's soccer program.

"Aaron Avila has proven in a very short time that he understands what it takes to run a top notch collegiate soccer program," said Barton Athletic Director Trevor Rolfs.  "He is a great fit to run Barton Soccer!"

In two seasons leading the Barton women's soccer program, Avila has led the Lady Cougars to a 28-8-2 overall record and a 21-3-2 mark in the Jayhawk Conference.  

This past season the Lady Cougars reached the final four of Region VI concluding the season with a 1-0 loss to finish at 13-4-1 overall and a 11-1-1 record to tie for second place in the Jayhawk Conference.  Spending much of the season in the national polls, the Lady Cougars finished the 2014 campaign at No. 16 in the NJCAA rankings.  Seven Lady Cougars achieved post-season honors bringing the total to thirteen players to earn honors in Avila's two seasons.

In his first season leading the Lady Cougars, Barton finished third in conference play at 10-2-1 losing in the Region VI semifinals to finish at 15-4-1.  Earning the Coach of the Year honors for taking the Lady Cougars to higher levels and earning six post-season honors, Avila and the Lady Cougars finished No. 14 in the NSCAA Division I poll.

Avila came to Barton from Tyler, Texas, where he was the assistant coach for the Tyler Junior College men's soccer team.  Arriving at Tyler in January 2011, Avila helped lead the Apaches to a third place national finish.  He coached a 2nd Team NJCAA Division I All-American and two players on the NSCAA/Continental Tire Junior College Division I All-America Team.

Prior to Tyler, Avila coached both the boys and girls teams at West Jones High School in Laurel, Mississippi. In his four years as the head coach of the girls and three years as the head coach of the boys, Avila guided West Jones girls to four division championships, two south state championships, and one state championship.  On the boys side he led them to three division championships.  For his efforts Avila was named the 2008 MAC girls coach of the year and was chosen as the MAC South All-Star team head coach for the boys.

Avila began his coaching career at Jones County Junior College where he led the men's team to the program's first South Division title and appearance in the Mississippi state championship.

A native of El Progreso, Honduras, Avila played collegiate soccer at Meridian Community College where he was a member of their 2000 national championship team.  He then continued his career at Mississippi College to earn his bachelor degree in mathematics while also earning ASC All-conference honors. 

Avila was also an accomplished high school athlete as he was selected team captain, named the team's Most Valuable Player for three years, was selected as the District Most Valuable Player, and earned All-State honors.

Avila also has earned coaching credentials in obtaining the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Premier diploma, NSCAA Level 2 Goalkeeping Diploma, and a United States Soccer Federation (USSF) National B License.