Aaron Avila enters his second season leading the Barton men’s soccer program while also entering his fourth season leading the women’s program.  Avila is 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!”

Behind the confidence of Barton Athletic Director Trevor Rolfs, Avila took over the program in late June prior to last season with only four returning players from the 2013 squad.  Working diligently through the summer, Avila rebuilt the Cougars going on to finish 7-6-3 on the season and 4-3-2 in the tough Jayhawk Conference.  The Cougars’ run in the Region VI Tournament ended in the semifinals taking a 1-0 loss to the eventual Region VI Champions.  Five Cougars earned post-season conference honors including four of those landing on the All-Region VI team.

In three seasons leading the women’s program, Avila has led the Lady Cougars to a 37-15-5 record with a 26-7-4 mark in the Jayhawk Conference.  Selected as the Women’s Conference Coach of the Year in his first season at the helm, Avila has had nineteen Lady Cougars earn post-season honors in three seasons.

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.

  Coaching Credentials:

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.

Avila is married to the former Ann Schmitt.