Guzman-Cruz promoted to assistant coach

MOUNT OLIVE – After serving as a part-time assistant coach for the men’s soccer program last year, Carlos Guzman-Cruz has been promoted to full-time assistant coach at the University of Mount Olive.

With the promotion, Guzman-Cruz will also serve as the director of operations and recruiting coordinator for the men’s soccer team. He joined the program in August 2022 and aided the Trojans to an appearance in the Conference Carolinas Tournament. Mount Olive featured one of the top offenses in NCAA Division II after ranking sixth in the country with 2.65 goals per game. UMO also led the Conference Carolinas with 1.88 assists per game after netting 45 goals last season. The Trojans featured four all-conference selections in 2022 after posting a 9-6-2 overall record with a 6-1-1 mark at Amon Field.

“I’m honored to be promoted to full-time assistant. I’m grateful for the confidence and opportunity Head Coach Ian Spooner has granted me,” said Guzman-Cruz. “I look forward to helping UMO be even more successful in the years to come. Go Trojans!”

Prior to joining UMO, Guzman-Cruz served a brief stint as a volunteer assistant coach at North Carolina Wesleyan. Guzman-Cruz worked as a volunteer associate head coach for the Harnett Central High School men’s varsity soccer program for the 2021-22 season and assisted the team to its first conference championship and playoff win since 2014-15.

He has also assisted with operating and managing different programs within North Carolina Football Club Youth in Raleigh, including the College Showcase Series tournaments, summer camps, supplemental training (elite technique) and outreach programs (La Liga De Sol).

Guzman-Cruz currently serves as a head coach at North Carolina Football Club Youth with the U19 & U18 Boys Classic group. He completed his bachelor’s degree in sport management from N.C. State University in 2021.

— From University of Mount Olive Athletics