From TAMIU Soccer Captain to TAMIU Soccer Coach

For Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) women's soccer coach Jovany Macias, the road to the sidelines started exactly where it all began — under the scorching Laredo sun, wearing the same Dustdevil logo he now leads.

It's a full-circle moment that's been years in the making. Going from soccer cleats to clipboards, from captain to coach, from student-athlete to mentor, his journey is proof that with heaert, resilience,  and vision, home can be both your launchpad and your legacy.

"Everything the game teaches you — discipline, resilience, how to handle tough situations — it made me who I am today," Macias says, "TAMIU gave me that. And now I'm giving it back."

Coming to TAMIU wasn't just about soccer. It was about transformation.

"The hardest part is making the jump to come here. But once you do, you realize it's a place that wraps around you. The support system is incredible. It's a home away from home," he explained.

As a student-athlete, he found himself surrounded by not only great coaches such as Claudio Arias, a TAMIU coach who has touched and mentored so many, but great people — professors, administrators, and staff who fueled his success both on and off the field. The experience lit a fire that's never gone out.

"I'm incredibly grateful to Coach Arias — not just for giving me the opportunity to be part of this program, but for being the kind of mentor and person who leads with integrity, passion, and heart. He believed in me early on, and that belief helped shape the man and coach I am today," Macias recalled.

TAMIU Women's Soccer Coach Jovany Macias

One moment as a player that still shapes his coaching philosophy came in the form of a quiet leadership lesson: how to bring a team of different cultures and personalities together for a common goal.

"I had to learn to wear different hats. That stuck with me. As a coach, you're not just building a team — you're building trust," he observed.

Today, that understanding drives the culture he's creating. Discipline is the foundation of his leadership, but mental health, visualization, and self-care are also cornerstones — a nod to his own practices as a player, like yoga, meditation, and seeing success before it happened.

"I used to envision myself scoring goals. Now, I try to help my players envision greatness in themselves," Macias noted.

Now in charge of the very program that helped shape his life, the stakes feel both deeply personal and profoundly professional.

"This University took a chance on me. Coaching here — it's not just a job; it's a dream come true. All of my career goals were to lead me back here," he said.

Macias is helping write the next chapter of TAMIU soccer with the same energy, pride, and hunger he once had as a student-athlete. And he's not doing it alone — his roots run deep. His brother José and sister Valeria both wore the same Dustdevil colors. Even his proposal to his now-wife, Alexandria, happened on the TAMIU pitch — at halftime of a 2015 match against West Texas A&M. They now share a four-year-old son named Kristiano.

"This place is more than a school. It's part of our family story," he said.

As an alum, his connection to the program adds another layer to the culture he's building. He wants his players to not only compete but belong — to feel like they're part of something bigger.

"We want everyone who wears TAMIU to feel proud — past, present, and future. When alumni show up to games or talk to our players, it means everything. It motivates us to give our all," Macias offered.

Before returning to TAMIU, he earned his stripes at the junior college level, leading both men's and women's teams to national tournament appearances. His journey was built on calculated risks and consistent growth — values he now passes on to his players.

"Take chances. Step outside your comfort zone. Even baby steps will move you toward your goal," he challenged.

With a bachelor's degree in Fitness and Sports, a loving family, and a four-year-old son already kicking around a soccer ball, it's clear he's still building a future grounded in passion, purpose, and pride.

And if you ask him where it all started, he won't hesitate to tell you:

"Right here. At TAMIU. And I'm not done yet," he confirmed.

Registration for TAMIU’s Summer and Fall 2025 is currently underway.

To learn more about TAMIU’s Registration processes, visit the dedicated Registration Hub .

More about TAMIU’s story can be found at tamiu.edu and on the University’s social channels on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X-Twitter, and YouTube.