Men’s Soccer Coaching Staff
Published or Revised February 21, 2023
Head Coach Fernando Arellano
Fernando Arellano
farellano@parisjc.edu
Fernando Arellano, a native of Sulphur Springs, is the Men’s Head Soccer Coach at Paris Junior college.
“It feels great to be back home, to give back to the East Texas community and athletes, said Arellano, “and provide opportunities for the athletes to grow as individuals and in the professional soccer world. East Texas has a great amount of talent that I am sure we can help expose at PJC. We can help these athletes become successful in life with the help of soccer. I’m excited to start this journey and share my experience and knowledge with the teams.”
Arellano comes to PJC from Southwest Virginia Community College, a Division I school in Region X of the National Junior College Athletic Association.
Prior to joining Southwest, Arellano was the Assistant Men’s Soccer coach at Alderson Broaddus University in Philippi, W.V., a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II program in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC). Arellano helped the AB soccer program improve to a 7-11-1 record and helped guide them to the playoffs. He also assisted two soccer players who were named to the 2019 G-MAC All-Conference Team.
Arellano began his coaching career as Assistant Boys’ soccer coach at Sulphur Springs High School, a volunteer coach for Murray State College and Richland College in 2017 and 2018 (NJCAA National Champions 2017/2018), and a club coach for the Dallas Kicks Soccer Club.
He played with National Premier Soccer League team Tyler FC during their first season in 2017 as a defensive leader. Arellano also played at the NCAA Division 1 level at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, contributing to UTRGV’s first season back to the NCAA since 1997 and defeating #24 ranked in the country UNLV in 2015.
Arellano acted as captain at Richland College where he led them into the NJCAA National Final in 2014, losing the National final game 2-1. Arellano was Awarded All-American for the 2014 NJCAA season.
Prior to his career, Arellano traveled to Mexico to pursue his soccer career where he developed his knowledge, tactics, and philosophy from playing with Queretaro F.C. in the Liga MX (the Mexican football league system’s top professional football division).
Arellano is a native of Sulphur Springs, Texas. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology of Exercise in Science from the University of the Southwest and his Master’s Degree in Sports Administration at Arkansas State University. He currently holds a United States Soccer Federation “D” Coaching License (improving a coach’s ability to positively influence players and teams).
Assistant Men's Soccer Coach Ivan Franco
Ivan Franco
atapia@parisjc.edu
Ivan Franco, a native of Gainesville, is in his first year as the Men’s Assistant Soccer Coach at Paris Junior College.
Franco comes to PJC from the University of Texas at Permian Basin (UTPB), an NCAA Division II school in the Lone Star Conference, where he wrapped up his playing career. Franco appeared in five starts and seven appearances before his season concluded due to an injury.
Franco began his coaching career as a volunteer student assistant coach at the University of Texas at Permian Basin. Prior to UTPB, Franco volunteered and assisted at Gainesville High School for three consecutive years during the winter breaks.
Prior to UTPB, Franco played at Davis and Elkins College in West Virginia, a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II program in the Mountain East Conference. Franco helped contribute to their record of 26-3-3 over the span of two seasons while being nationally ranked both seasons and reaching the NCAA tournament.
Beginning his collegiate career at Hill Junior College in Hillsboro, Texas, a National Junior College Athletic Association Division I program, Franco contributed two years as a captain, earning a Region V Championship and a District tournament appearance. He combined a record of 22-9 over the two seasons.
Franco earned his Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Davis and Elkins College. He plans on continuing his education and pursuing a Master’s degree in Sports Administration or Sports Management.
Franco will begin earning his United States Soccer Federation “D” Coaching License in the summer of 2023.