Coach Figueroa joins MCC

Story from Meridian CC Athletics:
Meridian – Meridian Community College (MCC) is thrilled to announce the hiring Diego Figueroa as the new head coach for the men’s soccer team. Coach Figueroa joins MCC with a remarkable track record from National Park College, where he led the Nighthawks to a historic season.

Under Coach Figueroa’s leadership, the National Park College men’s team achieved an impressive season record 12-1-3. It earned the college its first-ever national ranking, at 19th in the nation, and won the Region 2 Championship for the first time in school history. This showcases his ability to build and guide a team to unprecedented heights. The collegiate soccer community has widely recognized his expertise in strategy, player development, and game-day tactics. 

“We are excited to welcome Coach Figueroa to the MCC family. His remarkable accomplishments at National Park College and his vision for our soccer program align perfectly with our commitment to excellence in athletics,” said Sander Atkinson, Athletic Director at MCC. 

Coach Figueroa said, “Firstly, I would like to thank President Dr. Huebner for inviting me to join Meridian Community College. I also sincerely thank Sander, whose winning mentality, clear vision for MCC Athletics, and overall support of Eagles soccer have made this decision very easy for me. I am also grateful to Rich Thompson and the entire Athletic Department at National Park College for the opportunity to lead the Nighthawks’ soccer program. My growth this past year has been directly linked to their support and belief in me. Lastly, and most importantly, I want to thank my beautiful wife, Jenna. Being a coach’s wife is not for everyone. I want to thank her for all her support and everything she has sacrificed to ultimately allow me to be where I am today.” 

Coach Figueroa is very familiar with MCC and the MACCC, having been an assistant coach for the Pearl River Wildcats for the 2021 and 2022 seasons. While in Poplarville, Diego was a part of the team that held the school’s highest-ever national ranking at #3. He was the recruiting coordinator and was responsible for recruiting the highest-ranking class in school history. Figueroa said, “The MACCC has grown tremendously in the past few years and is becoming one of the strongest regions in the nation. I hope to add more strength to the conference in the near future. Soccer in Mississippi is headed in the right direction, and many top programs are inclined to recruit players from this area. My goal is to provide students with a platform to become a successful student-athlete to continue their careers at other top institutions.” 

MCC President Tom Huebner said, “Coach Figueroa’s experience, passion, and knowledge of the sport are a perfect fit for the storied tradition of MCC men’s soccer. We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Diego and his family to our community. We believe great things are on the horizon for MCC soccer.”