Robert Jaramillo Named Head Men's Soccer Coach
San Antonio, TX- Texas A&M University-San Antonio (A&M-San Antonio) has announced the hiring of Robert Jaramillo for Head Coach of Men's Soccer.
Jaramillo is no stranger to the Southside of San Antonio as he comes to A&M-San Antonio by way of Southwest High School in Southwest ISD where he coached girls' soccer before being given the reigns to the boys' soccer program.
Darnell Smith (Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreational Sports at A&M San Antonio) said, "We are excited to bring in one of Southside San Antonio's own in Coach Jaramillo. He is someone that has had solid success within the high school game, and he has recruiting ties within and around the San Antonio area that are second to none. The passion he displayed throughout the interview process was simply on a different level. We have no doubt that he will build champions on the pitch, in the classroom, and most importantly in life."
From 2013 to 2017 Jaramillo was the Head Girls Soccer Coach for the Southwest Lady Dragons achieving an impressive overall record of 50-19-8. In 2016, Jaramillo's squad finished as the University Interscholastic League (UIL) 5A District 28 champions, and in 2017 the Lady Dragons finished as the UIL 5A District 29 champions.
For the 2018 season, Jaramillo was put in charge of the boys' program at Southwest. From 2018 through the 2021 season he posted an outstanding record of 79-12-6 (to include a Covid-19 reduced undefeated season in 2020) for an 84.54% winning percentage, which to that point was the highest winning percentage amongst all active UIL soccer coaches. The Dragons were UIL 5A District 28 champions in 2019, 2020, and 2021. They were UIL 5A Area Champions in 2018, UIL 5A Region IV semi-finalists in 2019, and UIL 5A Region IV semi-finalists in 2021.
For the 2020 season, Jaramillo was named the Head Boys' Soccer Coach of the Year by the San Antonio Express News, and for the 2021 season he was named the Texas Association of Soccer Coaches Region 4 Coach of the Year.
Jaramillo said, "I am truly honored by Texas A&M University-San Antonio for giving me the opportunity to build the men's soccer program into something extraordinary. I want to thank the Southwest ISD community for allowing me the opportunity to make history with both the girls and boys high school programs. Because of all of the support from the close-knit San Antonio community, I will be able to pursue my dreams of leading A&M-San Antonio to become a national power house. VIVA JAGS!"
Jaramillo received a Bachelor's of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Texas-San Antonio, and began his career as an elementary school teacher within Edgewood ISD. He was named Edgewood ISD's Elementary Teacher of the Year for the 2010-2011 school year.
What they are saying about Coach Jaramillo:
"Coach Jaramillo is an extremely talented soccer coach, but more importantly, he is a leader that is dedicated to facilitating transformational growth in all of his players and those around him. We are very proud and honored that Texas A&M-San Antonio would choose one of our many talented coaches to lead their growing programs and look forward to another contact that will provide great insight and opportunities for our kids' educational and athletic goals!"
-Peter Wagner, Southwest ISD Athletic Director
"We are extremely happy and proud of Coach Jaramillo's next steps and for his elevation into the collegiate soccer arena at Texas A&M University San Antonio. Coach Jaramillo is an exceptional person who happens to be an exceptional teacher and coach. Although we are saddened to see his departure from coaching our phenomenal student athletes, we know that his trajectory serves as a model for our youth and I am confident his new position at TAMUSA will open doors for student athletes in San Antonio. This is a perfect match of a great coach and a great university."
- Dr. Lloyd Verstuyft, Southwest ISD Superintendent