COMMERCE – Texas A&M University-Commerce soccer coach Ashley Gordon has announced the hiring of Omar Morales as an assistant coach on the Lion Soccer staff.
 
A familiar face in the Texas youth soccer circuit, Morales played soccer at West Texas A&M and later served as an assistant coach for the Buffaloes. He was also the head women's soccer coach at Eastern New Mexico and went on to become the first Latino coach in National Women's Soccer League history, serving as interim head coach for the Houston Dash.
 
"I am excited to welcome Omar to the Lion soccer family," said Gordon. "Omar is an excellent coach, and he will be a difference-maker for our program. To bring someone to our program who has worked at the professional, college, and elite youth level is truly a blessing."
 
Morales was the general manager and the head coach for the Dash on an interim basis in 2017. For the past four years, he served as a girl's academy coach for the Houston Dash academy in The Woodlands, he coached multiple players that were called up to the United States National team camp.
 
He oversaw two teams within the Houston Dash academy, working with the players to create roadmaps for their short term and long-term paths. He also worked with many college coaches, providing feedback on the player profiles based on each coach's recruiting needs.
 
"I would first like to thank Ashley for this amazing opportunity, from our very first conversation I knew this is where I belonged," said Morales. "Second and most importantly, thank you to my wife and kids for always supporting me and being patient throughout our journey. I cannot wait to get started and collaborate with Ashley and the great staff at Texas A&M University-Commerce!"
 
Morales spent four seasons in Portales, New Mexico, as the head coach at Eastern New Mexico. Creating a program that focused on improving the "whole" student-athlete experience.
 
His coaching career began in Canyon as an assistant coach for both the women's and the men's program. The Buffaloes won five conference championships with Morales on the staff, including the women's program's run to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament in 2009.
 
Gordon added, "Omar has spent the last four years leading one of the top programs in south Texas. His knowledge of the state and region will be invaluable to our future recruiting classes. Omar's approach and connection to student-athletes align with our values and objectives."
 
Morales received his bachelor's degree in sport management from West Texas A&M in 2009 and also received his master's in sport management from WTAMU.
 
He is married to Miriam Morales, who also played soccer at West Texas A&M. The Morales' have three daughters Leah, 10, Aria, 7, and Mila, 5.