Luis Pulido

Luis Pulido was named head coach of the Central Community College - Columbus men's soccer team in July 2021, marking a return to the program after serving as an assistant coach in 2017 and 2018. 

 

In his four seasons at the helm, Pulido was named NJCAA Region 9 Coach of the Year three times, leading the Raiders to three Region championships: 2021, 2022, and 2024. During the 2021 season, the Raiders received votes for national rankings and hosted a Region playoff game, both program firsts since men’s soccer was reinstated in 2013. Since then, the program has maintained its status as a top 20 performer.

 

During this time, Pulido has placed 19 players on the All-Region First Team, as well as 2 players on the All-American teams: Ivan Lopez (2022) and Jaime Zani (2024). During his tenure, the team has also celebrated academic success, most recently setting a program record for team GPA with a 3.77.

 

Prior to his appointment as Raiders head coach, Pulido served as the head men's soccer coach at Dakota Wesleyan University (DWU) in Mitchell, S.D. In his first season, he led the Tigers to postseason play for the first time in six years and had a player make the All-Great Plains Athletic Conference First Team for the first time in a decade.

 

Before DWU, Pulido led the girls' soccer team at Columbus High School for four seasons. He compiled a record 43 wins and led the Discoverers to two district championships and a Greater Nebraska Athletic Conference title.

 

In 2018-19, Pulido was named to the United Soccer Coaches 30 Under 30 program, which selects 15 men and 15 women from around the United States who are making a positive impact on the game of soccer, providing them with mentorship and professional development opportunities. Pulido is the first and only Nebraskan to receive this honor.

 

In 2017, Pulido founded Mind’s Eye Soccer Academy, offering affordable soccer coaching. Working with nonprofit organizations to bring soccer instruction to underserved areas, Mind’s Eye also collaborates with clubs nationally and football associations abroad to implement a soccer curriculum that develops players from age 4 to adult.

 

Pulido is no stranger to youth soccer, having earned multiple league and state cup championships, as well as a regional championship at the club level. He also served as an Olympic Development Program (ODP) coach for the Dakotas during the 2019-2021 seasons. As well as serving as the Executive Director for Fremont Soccer Club in 2022-23.

 

A native of Fremont, Neb., Pulido has a strong educational background and has taught at the middle school, high school, and college levels. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Education from York University and a Master's degree in Educational Policy and Administration from Dakota Wesleyan University. Pulido also holds a United States Soccer Federation 'C' License, Goalkeeping Level 1 Certification, a Director of Coaching Diploma, and a Premier Diploma from United Soccer Coaches. In 2021, Pulido completed a year-long mentorship with Raymond Verheijen through FC Evolution, earning points toward a UEFA License from the Dutch FA.

 

Pulido resides in Columbus with his wife, three children, and two dogs.