NMHU Hires Justin Wagar as New Women's Soccer Coach

by Gavino Archuleta, N.M. Highlands Sports Information Director

Las Vegas, N.M. - New Mexico Highlands University Director of Athletics Ed Manzanares has named Justin Wagar their new women's soccer coach. Wagar will replace former HU coach, Ron Blue. Blue resigned after the 2008 season to pursue other opportunities. The Cowgirls finished eighth in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference with a 5-13-2 record.

"Justin (Wagar) is going to be a great addition to the coaching staff here at Highlands, he is a young and energetic individual. I think he will bring a fresh outlook and a new found energy to our women's soccer program" said Manzanares.

While Wagar is young in age he comes to NMHU with seven years of experience under his belt. Wagar has been an assistant coach at NCAA division one Eastern Washington University and at  Utah Valley University. He has also been a head coach at NCAA division two BYU-Hawaii. Wagar also served as the Interim Head Coach at Utah Valley State University for one season.

In his first season as the Head Coach at BYU-Hawaii, Wagar led the Seasiders to 12-4 record and a second-place finish in the Pacific West Conference. That season, BYU-Hawaii had the 17th-best scoring offense in the nation among NCAA Division II squads and the 22nd-best defense. In his second season, Wagar saw the program reach even higher levels, as the Seasiders claimed the league crown with a 10-2 league record. The squad finished 13-6-1 overall. For the team's success Wager was selected as the Conference Coach of the Year. Additionally, seven of his players earned All-Conference accolades, including Most Valuable Player, Goalkeeper of the Year and Freshman of the Year. One of his athletes was also named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-West District second team.

Prior to his time at BYU-Hawaii, Wagar served as assistant coach for Division 1 Utah Valley University for 2-1/2 years and then stepped in as interim head coach in 2005 for and led the team to the United Soccer Conference's championship game and a second-place finish in the league standings. 

"I am really excited to be able come to Las Vegas and to coach for NMHU. I was very impressed by the administration and how motivated they are to succeed in athletics and have quality teams represent NMHU. The facilities were superb and the people were very kind and generous. I believe that we can build a strong team here for New Mexico in the very near future. I can't wait to get started.  Let the fun begin," said Wagar.

Wagar, a Washington native, played collegiately for BYU Hawaii in 1998-1999 where he was the team captain as a sweeper and helped lead the team to their most successful season in school history. He then led the Utah ODP (Olympic Development Program) Select team to its first West Coast title ever and a third-place finish at nationals in 2005. The year before, he played collegiate club soccer at UVU for a squad that took second in the nation. Wager was named as an All-American defender on that national finals squad.

Wagar earned a bachelor's degree in exercise science from BYU-Hawaii in 2007.