SAN ANTONIO – University of the Incarnate Word interim Athletics Director Richard Duran has selected three-time All-American, two-time Academic All-American and UIW Hall of Fame member Ricardo "Kiki" Lara as head coach of the men's soccer program, the department announced Friday.
 
An 11-year veteran college soccer coach, Lara has spent the past five years at Eastern Illinois University, both as the EIU director of soccer (head coach of both the men's and women's soccer programs, 2016-18) and the head men's coach (2014-Pres.). Prior to EIU, Lara spent six seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Dayton (2009-14), where he was named the 2013 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCCA) Assistant Coach of the Year for the Mid-Atlantic Region. Lara also spent one season as an assistant with Washington State.
 
"I'm thrilled for Kiki to come back home and lead our program," said Duran. "Out of an outstanding candidate pool, there was no better fit for our institution or our men's soccer program. Kiki has a history of success at all levels and will coach our student-athletes with the UIW mission in mind. Understanding what Kiki has been able to accomplish at EIU leaves no doubt that he will maximize our resources and develop a championship-caliber program on and off the field."
 
"I am extremely thankful to UIW President Dr. Thomas Evans, Richard Duran, interim athletics director, and Sr. Walter Maher, CCVI, vice president of University Mission & Ministry, along with the athletics leadership, for placing their faith in me to lead our men's soccer program and represent such an amazing institution," said Lara. "Twenty years ago, I first stepped foot on campus at UIW and immediately I felt it was a special place. I feel incredibly honored and blessed to return home and continue to build on the unique legacy of our soccer program."
  
Before his coaching career, the Las Cruces, N.M., native spent five years playing professional soccer, where he had over 100 appearances for the Portland Timbers and the Minnesota Thunder. He helped lead the Thunder to the 2004 US Open Cup quarterfinals and the 2005 US Open Cup semifinals. In 2007, he guided the Timbers to a USL 1 League runner up finish and a semifinalist playoff finish. Lara was named the 2005 Community Player of the Year for the Thunder and the 2007 Community Player of the Year for the Timbers.
 
"I want to thank all of the mentors that have come into my life and helped ready me for the opportunity to lead the UIW men's soccer team," added Lara. "I also want to thank everyone at EIU who has invested so much in the Panther programs and has been so gracious to our family.  We will never forget you, and we are very proud to have worked alongside you.
 
"I am mostly thankful to my wife, Ashley, without whom none of these changes would be possible. Each change has carried meaning. We believe God's grace led us back to UIW and we are extremely grateful for this opportunity."
 
Lara joins the Cardinals following a five-year stint as the head coach at EIU (2015-19), where he made three-straight Summit League Tournament appearances (2016, 2017, 2018). The 2016 Summit League Tournament appearance was the program's first since 2009.
 
Lara guided the team to a regional ranking during the 2017 season and coached 2017 Summit League Goalkeeper of the Year, Mike Novotny. Overall, Lara had two first team All-Summit League honorees, two second team All-Summit League performers, seven All-Summit League Newcomer Team selections, four Summit League All-Tournament Team selections and three Academic All-Summit League selections.
 
During his time as an assistant coach at Dayton, Lara helped coach the team to national rankings in 2009, 2012 and 2013, and he helped bring in three top 40 recruiting classes. In 2009, Lara helped guide Dayton to the 2009 Atlantic 10 regular season title with a 14-5-1 overall record and an 8-1 A10 record.
 
During Lara's four years as a student-athlete at UIW, the Cardinals had a cumulative mark of 58-15-6 and advanced to the regional finals of the NCAA Division II national tournament twice. He was voted the Heartland Conference Most Valuable Player three times and was the Heartland Male Student-Athlete of the Year as a senior. Lara was also voted the UIW Male Athlete of the Year and the UIW Student-Athlete of the Year in 2002 and 2003.
 
Lara graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in mathematics in 2004. He and his wife, Ashley, have three children.
 
Freddy Juarez
Head Coach, Real Salt Lake
"UIW has hired a great coach. Kiki is young, energetic and a great tactician. He will make the team better but, more importantly, you have hired an amazing human being. He is the perfect example for every person associated with UIW. He will bleed red and black and engrave that into his team. I was lucky enough to watch Kiki play there and know how much love he has for the school."
 
Gavin Wilkinson
GM and President of Soccer, Portland Timbers
"Kiki is a hard-working, tremendously driven coach who will be an excellent fit for the Cardinals. His enthusiasm and dedication to his student-athletes will serve him well at his alma mater, and we couldn't be happier for him."
 
Michael Novotny
Goalkeeper, Hartford Athletic, USL
Former EIU goalkeeper, class of '17
"Kiki had a big impact on the transformation of the EIU men's soccer program. The program now has not only improved on the field, but he showed us what it means to be a true student-athlete. From being active in the community to holding student-athletes accountable in the classroom, this new foundation of the program that is built on a strong culture with core values and expectations to become a successful student-athlete is credit to Kiki."
 
Dennis Currier
Head Coach, University of Dayton
"UIW made a great hire. Kiki has always been proud of his roots, and to have the opportunity to bring back the winning formula at his alma mater is great to see. Kiki is a genuine person who takes pride in doing things the right way. He is an educator both on and off the field and knows how to build programs competing for championships. With the resources UIW offers, I am confident Kiki can lead them to greater heights."