Awards:
• 2011 American Southwest Conference Co-Coach of the Year
Tatenda Chieza enters his second season as head men’s soccer coach at Concordia University Texas in 2012. He came to Concordia after spending seven seasons at American Southwest Conference foe Hardin-Simmons as an assistant coach and student-athlete.
Chieza was named the ASC Co-Coach of the Year after leading the Tornados to their best season ever in his first year on the sidelines. The team, which had never won more than five matches overall and three in conference play before his arrival, set program records by winning six matches overall and six in league action. Concordia placed seventh in the league standings and fell just shy of making its first-ever postseason berth. Highlighted by Mohamed Diallo and Jacob Stern, he mentored a program-best six players who garnered All-ASC postseason recognition. Team captain Chase Michalak was also named the ASC Co-Sportsmanship Athlete of the Year.
A native of Waco, Texas, Chieza previously served as a graduate assistant men’s soccer coach at Hardin-Simmons for three seasons while pursuing his master’s degree. During his tenure, the Cowboys qualified for the ASC Tournament every year and advanced to the third round of the 2009 NCAA Tournament. Prior to becoming a member of the coaching staff, Chieza was a four-year letterwinner for the Cowboys’ men’s soccer team. He helped the 2005 and 2006 squads win the conference championship and advance to the NCAA Tournament.
On the scholastic level, Chieza earned all-state accolades twice and all-region honors as a four-year letterwinner at Midway High School. A center back, he helped the squad win the Class 4A state title in 2002.
Chieza, who also coached with the Abilene Soccer Club and at various camps and combines, earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in sociology from Hardin-Simmons in 2007. He later completed a master’s degree in kinesiology, sport and recreation from the same institution in 2010.
