RSM Staff

Mohave Community College recently announced the hiring of northwestern Arizona’s first College Soccer Director who will also be Head Coach of the MCC Bighorns Men’s Soccer team -Carmilo Valencia.

As a student-athlete himself, Valencia was captain of the NJCAA National Champion Yavapai College soccer team in 2007 and held the record for most games played and most games started in the program’s history. He then transferred to UNLV and played for the Rebels from 2008 to 2010.

“We are thrilled to welcome Camilo and his family to Mohave County and the MCC family,” said MCC President Dr. Stacy Klippenstein. “Camilo is among the best in the sport and I know he is the right person to help us build premiere men’s and women’s soccer teams that will make the entire region proud.”

Before stepping into coaching, Valencia played professionally in the Colombian first division for Cortulua and Boyaca Chico and in Argentina for CSD Flandria. Additionally, he played for the U-20 Colombian National Team in 2003. He joined the University of Nevada – Las Vegas (UNLV) Rebels Men’s coaching staff in 2016 and most recently served as the interim Head Coach. During his time in Las Vegas, he helped guide the Rebels to a WAC Tournament Title and the second round of the NCAA Division One Championship Tournament. 

“I am extremely excited about this opportunity to become the first-ever Soccer Director and Men’s Soccer Head Coach at MCC,” said Valencia.  

The Bighorn soccer teams will practice and play at the Anderson Auto Group Fieldhouse and Firebird Field in Bullhead City. They also plan to host tournaments, clinics and other games in Kingman and Lake Havasu City.

The college will soon be hiring a coach for the women’s soccer team, and player recruiting will begin this year. The college plans to have the teams ready to play competitively in the NJCAA fall 2023 season.