Aaron Avila enters his second season leading the Barton Community College women’s soccer program after being selected as the Conference Coach of the Year in his first season.  Avila led the Lady Cougars to a 15-4-1 record finishing third in Region VI and #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.

  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.

"Aaron brings to Barton an array of experience at all levels of soccer,” Trevor Rolfs, Barton Athletic Director said. “From a highly successful playing career, to recently being on staff at one of the premier junior college soccer programs in the nation, I feel Aaron will elevate our women’s soccer program here at Barton to levels unseen since its inception.  I am extremely excited about the future of women’s soccer here at Barton!"