Coach Lopez has coached in the high school realm for over 25 years and enjoys every aspect of coaching high school athletes from 14-18 years of age. In past years, he has been the head girls’ soccer coach at Farmington High between the years of 1999-2005. He has also been the head boys soccer coach at a high school in Albuquerque, NM, as well as the head boys soccer coach at Northglenn High School in Adams 12. He has been coaching the boys and/or the girls at Legacy High School since 2014.
Most importantly, Coach Lopez loves the game of soccer. He has been around it since he was 6 years old. He is originally from Honduras in Central America and came here when he was 12 years old. As he grew up, he liked the Latin American style of soccer, and then later on became very interested in and enjoyed the European style of play as well. He finds both styles to be dynamic and fun to watch. He is glad to see that the USA is being more recognized, involved and performing well in recent years. He grew up in the small town of Durango, CO. He earned a scholarship to play soccer at Fort Lewis College, a division II school. He very much enjoyed playing collegiate soccer because it was fun, but at same time challenging. Going up against other athletes with the same or more advanced skills was a difficult task, but this only made him want to become better. He hopes that some of his athletes get to experience this, or go on to play at an even higher level because it will be an unforgettable experience. Outside of soccer, he enjoys being married and he has a stepson. He likes to bike, hike, going to athletic events, and visiting new places.
Coach Lopez is excited to be coaching yet another season here at Legacy High School. It is a place of opportunity, for both him and his student-athletes. As mentioned, he has been coaching for many, many years, and believes that he is still learning this great game. Learning never ends, and it should never end for us not only as players, but as a STUDENT and a PERSON as well. Like Pele once said: "Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice, and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do." - Pele