Kenny Jaramillo Named Coach of the Year for 5A TAPPS Division

First-year coach Kenny Jaramillo completed a record-breaking year at Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep with a notable achievement of his own. The 5A division concluded the season by releasing conference honors, including Coach Jaramillo being recognized as Coach of the Year. Despite a slow start for the relatively young soccer program, Jaramillo notes that they were able to quickly turn things around.

The season kicked off with two upset losses that Coach Jaramillo felt they could have performed better in. However, after securing their first win of the season, the team focused on taking it one game at a time and then went on an eight-game winning streak, finishing with eight wins, two losses, and tying for first place. This achievement is unprecedented, especially in 5A play. Jaramillo mentioned the team made sure that winning was the standard, which quickly shifted their mentality for each game. “That’s the culture that I’m trying to create for Cristo Rey Dallas,” says Jaramillo.

So, who is this record-breaking first-year head coach for Cristo Rey Dallas?

Jaramillo is a Dallas native who grew up playing soccer in Dallas Independent School District as the captain of his team at Emmett J. Conrad High School, where he was voted defender of the year and made second team all-district. He also played club soccer for FC Premier. His soccer talent earned him a scholarship to play at Kansas Wesleyan University, where he was voted Freshman Defender of the Year. Reflecting on his experience at Kansas Wesleyan University, Jaramillo describes it as an amazing opportunity where he played alongside people from Europe, South America, and other talented players from Southern California. He credits his success to his coach, who taught him to play the game ‘the right way’ and to his teammates who became like brothers. He also acknowledges the significant impact of the Boswell family, whom he considers his second family. “My life revolved around soccer, so I’m very disciplined when it comes to approaching the game,” Jaramillo says.

After graduating, Jaramillo began coaching club soccer and recently returned to Dallas, where he started coaching at the youth level. “I always wanted to come back home and serve my community. At Cristo Rey Dallas, I feel like I can truly contribute to our student body. When I was offered the opportunity to join Cristo Rey Dallas, I decided to take it, and it has been a wonderful experience,” he said. Jaramillo notes that his students are aiming to play in college and are highly dedicated and disciplined—they are true grinders. During the first week of tryouts, he quickly recognized the abundance of talent within the team. What was needed, he realized, was a strategy to harness that talent and transform them into a successful team.

Changing the style of play during his first year was initially met with resistance from the men’s soccer team, but once they bought into the new approach, their game began to transform, and the goal became clearer. “Ensuring that the team prioritizes their academic responsibilities was something we emphasized,” says Jaramillo. “Going to the playoffs was exciting, but the team knew we left some gas in the tank and know that the future is promising.” This realization provides them with a strong foundation to build on for the future. The high standard set by the team has fueled anticipation for next year, with the ultimate goal of making it all the way to state. Jaramillo is particularly excited about the underclassmen on the team, who comprise most of the key players and embody the culture he is striving to create for the program.

Jaramillo was voted Coach of the Year, and when asked about his reaction, he expressed, “Obviously, I was very excited and felt honored because many of the coaches have been coaching for years. For them to recognize a difference in the program during my first year as coach was really encouraging, not just for me, but also for my assistant coach, Coach Luna, who has been amazing. The coaches voted for me unanimously, noting their appreciation for the change in our style of play. They really liked the way our boys communicated with each other, and ultimately how they moved the ball, showed aggressiveness, and played as a unit not dependent on one player in particular.”

Cristo Rey Dallas’ Athletic Director, Michael Matamoros, along with school leaders such as Dr. Torres and Dr. Walsh, have rallied behind the athletic program and coaches like Jaramillo, who has poured his time and dedication into the men’s soccer team. “With this backing, we anticipate growth and continued success for Cristo Rey Dallas Athletics as a whole”, says Jaramillo.

Jaramillo hopes to see more Cristo Rey alumni playing at the collegiate level, as he believes the talent is undeniable. He emphasizes that it’s a matter of developing the mindset and discipline required to compete at the collegiate level, which is a completely different ball game.

Thanks to the generosity of key donors, the team was able to secure proper equipment which led to the winning streak for the young team. Jaramillo hopes Cristo Rey will continue to receive support from donors who invest in athletics, as the benefits of these investments are clear.

Jaramillo notes that Cristo Rey Dallas student-athletes are gaining attention around the conference and beyond their home base, as he has received numerous comments and recognition about the players.

“It’s very inspiring to hear how coaches all over the conference recognize the kind of talented athletes that Cristo Rey Dallas has. The future is bright.” – Kenny Jaramillo