HOUSTON – Following its most successful season in program history, Houston Soccer Head Coach Diego Bocanegra is excited to announce two coaching staff promotions on Monday. Assistant Coach Gus Mota has been promoted to Associate Head Coach while Assistant Coach Chelsey Patterson has been promoted to Recruiting Coordinator.
Both coaches have played a vital role in the success of the program since joining the Houston staff in 2019 and 2020, as well as the success of the 2021 season. Without the leadership of both coaches, the program would not have seen the record-breaking season that made history this past fall. The Cougars’ coaching staff earned American Athletic Conference Coaching Staff of the Year, acknowledging the hard work and dedication put in by these individuals in addition to the staff as a whole.
“I’m excited to promote Gus to Associate Head Coach. He has worked tirelessly on and off the field to help us take the program to new levels. He works primarily with our goalkeepers and backline which have seen a massive improvement, setting records for goals against/goal against per game,” stated Bocanegra.
Mota joined the program in the spring of 2019 as an assistant coach mainly overseeing the goalkeepers. His responsibilities also have included, but have not been limited to, recruiting and administrative duties as well.
“As a former head coach, Gus knows the responsibilities and stressors that come along with running a program and he takes things off my plate as often as he can. He works directly with our academic services and compliance to oversee academics, admissions, as well as camps,” said Bocanegra. “I know that when he is in charge of a task or a project, it will be done efficiently and effectively. Above all, he always puts the University of Houston and our program ahead of anything else and pushes the student athletes and staff to reach their potential.”
Patterson joined the Cougar staff in the spring of 2020 as an assistant coach making an impact in the efficiency of practices and games. She also assisted with administrative duties and transforming the offensive attack receiving her first winning season as an assistant coach in her first season with Houston.
“Chelsey is one of the brightest young coaches and I’m excited to promote her to be our new Recruiting Coordinator. From the time she arrived at Houston, she immediately connected with our student-athletes and became someone they trusted and looked up to,” expressed Bocanegra. “On the field she gave the attacking players ideas and confidence which can easily be seen in the amount of chances we create and the goals we score.”
In addition to Patterson’s duties as a coach, she has also served in the role as director of operations overseeing tasks and responsibilities off the field. Her impressive efforts earned her a spot on the United Soccer Coaches’ 30 Under 30 list this past fall.
“Away from the field, Chelsey oversees our equipment, Cougar Reserves and community service. She has excelled in all of these areas and has grown tremendously in her ability to identify and connect with future Coogs,” said Bocanegra. “She is ready to take a bigger part in the recruiting process and I know we will all benefit. I have already seen recruits gravitate toward her personality and this role will suit her well.”
The Houston Soccer program is excited to face the 2022 season with both Mota and Patterson in their new roles. The achievement of both individuals is very much deserved and the program looks forward to continuing its momentum of success from the 2021 season.
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