Despite making up nearly 19 percent of the U.S. population, Latinx coaches remain dramatically underrepresented behind the whistle. In college athletics, they account for just 2 percent of all head coaches and athletic directors, according to NCAA research. In Division I football, that figure plummets even further — to only 1 percent of head coaching posts — despite Latinos representing 18.5 percent of the U.S. population.
Professional coaching roles don’t offer much more opportunity either. Across all coaching and scouting roles in the United States, only about 13.1 percent of those positions are held by Hispanic professionals, leaving nearly 87 percent in non‑Hispanic hands, Data USA reports. But thanks to Latinx leaders like Alex Cora, Mario Cristóbal, Cynthia Cervantes, and others, the narrative is shifting.
1. José Alexander “Alex” Cora, Boston Red Sox, Manager
José Alexander “Alex” Cora made history as the first Puerto Rican manager to win a World Series, leading the Boston Red Sox to the title in 2018. A former infielder with 14 MLB seasons under his belt, Cora ran the dugout with confidence, posting a franchise‑best 108 wins in his debut season and capturing three championships as a player and coach.
2. Mario Cristóbal, University of Miami, Head Football Coach
Second-generation Cuban American Mario Cristóbal has made a major impact in college football. As head coach of the Miami Hurricanes, he brought top-tier recruiting skills and a tough offensive line philosophy from his time at Oregon and Alabama. Cristóbal previously built Sun Belt-winning teams at FIU and led Oregon to back-to-back Pac‑12 titles. He later signed a record $80 million contract to restore Miami’s football legacy.
3. Óscar Pareja, MLS Head Coach
Colombian midfielder‑turned‑manager Óscar Pareja — nicknamed “El Generalito” and now affectionately called “Papi” — has stamped his style across Major League Soccer. After guiding FC Dallas to a Coach of the Year honor in 2016, Pareja took over at Orlando City in 2020 and led them to five straight playoff berths and a 2022 U.S. Open Cup title.
4. Cynthia Cervantes, Western Texas College Soccer
Cynthia Cervantes channels her athletic roots into building elite women’s soccer programs. Currently, as head coach at Western Texas College, she guides a team of young, dedicated athletes. In addition, Cervantes serves as Director of Coaching for El Paso Juventus FC and actively mentors youth across New Mexico.
5. Ron Rivera, Washington Commanders, Former Head Coach
Of Puerto Rican and Mexican descent, Ron Rivera became only the third Latino head coach in NFL history when Carolina hired him in 2011. He led the Panthers to Super Bowl 50, earned two NFL Coach of the Year honors in 2013 and 2021, and later steered Washington to the playoffs in 2020 despite battling cancer.
6. Manny Acta, Seattle Mariners, Bench Coach
Dominican-born Manny Acta made history as the first manager from the Dominican Republic to lead both the Washington Nationals and the Cleveland Indians. Now serving as the Seattle Mariners’ bench coach, Acta brings valuable experience from the World Baseball Classic and holds a career winning percentage of .418 as a skipper.
Latinx coaches bring a whole lot more than strategy — they bring heart and hustle to every game. These coaches are rewriting the rules, breaking barriers, and proving they’ve got just as much game as their athletes.
Why do you think there’s still such a big gap in representation at the top levels of sports? Comment below!
