By RGVFútbol/Staff

EDINBURG, 13 Feb. - When Edinburg North alumnus Elias Morán played for the Cougars in high school, he dreamed of coaching his alma mater’s varsity soccer team one day. Ten years after graduation, the prodigal son has returned as North’s new head coach.

Morán was named North’s head coach in mid-June of 2012 after long-time head coach José Gaspar, who was Morán’s coach from 1999-2002, retired.

"I had some magical moments as a player with Edinburg North. I made some great friends, and I always visualized myself being the head coach of this high school," said Morán. "It was a goal I set for myself and with a lot of hard work it came true in a short amount of time. With coach Gaspar’s retirement, it left the door wide open for a series of candidates, and I had the blessing of being among them. It was a long process, but in the end, I’m grateful to God for making my big dream come true."

"Being Edinburg North’s head coach represents everything to me in life," he added. "It’s the perfect profession, my passion. Being able to come back to Edinburg North and having the opportunity to give back something to the city that gave me so much, means a lot to me."

Born and partially raised in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico, Morán was always around soccer. He played for several academies such as Club Gavilanes de Monterrey and was affiliated with the Tigres’ youth reserves.

As a player, he participated in two Copa Monterrey international championships, where he had the opportunity to play against clubs from South America, and from 1999-2002 he played for Edinburg North. Under Gaspar, Morán was part of the Cougars squad that won the 2001 district title.

After high school and while pursuing his bachelor’s degree at The University of Texas-Pan American, the Edinburg North alumnus played in the local amateur league and collected a few league and goal-scoring championships.

Upon graduation, Morán began teaching at La Joya Juárez-Lincoln, where he got his first opportunity to coach at the high school level. In his first year, he coached the boys JV squad under head coach Víctor Ramos, and later was an assistant coach for the girls side under head coach Alexandro Dávila, who he helped reach the 4A regional semifinals.

"I’m eternally grateful to La Joya Juárez-Lincoln" said Morán. "First, for opening up their doors to me, and second, for having the confidence in me to be a part of their professional staff."

With Morán’s dream a reality, he began the long-term task of rebuilding North’s soccer program in the fall in preparation for the Cougars’ unenviable move to one of the toughest districts in Texas soccer, 30-5A.

"This year we’re competing in District 30-5A, which is considered one of the most difficult since it has the defending state champion and other teams with a lot of experience," explained Morán. "We’re working hard to live up to the challenge. We know it’s going to be a tough first year, but we hope to do well in district."

Now that the first phases of rebuilding Edinburg North’s boys soccer program have been completed, Morán has had some time to adjust to the transition as head coach of a soccer program.

"The transition to head coach has been very nice and things, up to this point, are going well," concluded Morán. "Our long-term expectations are high and we have a young group of players that will get the experience necessary to reflect the changes, little by little, that we’re working toward."