Former coach leads LLHS boys soccer again

LOS LUNAS — The new boys’ soccer coach at Los Lunas shouldn’t have any trouble finding Tigers’ gear to wear on the sidelines. Just look deep into his closet.

After seven years, Daniel Martinez is returning to LLHS, where he posted a 65-38-1 record during five seasons as head coach. During that span, the Tigers captured three district titles and Martinez was named District Coach of the Year three times.

“After being at a few different places, I’m excited to go back,” Martinez said. “It was a place that I found the most opportunity to grow, not only for myself but for the athletes.”

Following the 2017 season, Martinez left to coach at Cibola in Albuquerque and then eventually moved to California to head the program at his high school alma mater.

However, when Eraclio Chavez, who replaced Martinez in 2018, resigned at LLHS after last season, Martinez was anxious to return to New Mexico.

“I’m excited to get in there and get back to work,” he said.

The program does need some work. After capturing the 4A state championship in 2019, Los Lunas has managed just a 19-42-4 record since then.

“I know there’s a lot of youth in the program,” said Martinez, whose profession is a health and nutrition coach. “I want to get them back to the fundamentals and the foundation of the game, the principles of the game, creating a winning culture built around teamwork, dedication and hard work.”