Coaching Directors

Jason Moran is the Executive Director of Rio Rapids Soccer Club. Jason runs the business side of the club, as well as coaching teams, and working on club development. Jason was born in Ft Lauderdale, Florida, but spent most of his childhood in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Jason has loved soccer since he was a young child, and feels fortunate to have been able to forge a career in it. He is passionate about working with youth, and watching how soccer helps kids develop life skills that stay with them long beyond their years on the field. He enjoys getting calls and emails from kids he’s coached through the years and hearing about their achievements.

Jason received his B.S. in Biology and his M.A. in Sports Administration both from UNM. Jason has an extensive coaching background from Club soccer to college soccer, and has worked at the State and Regional levels in US youth soccer organizations (NMYSA, South Texas YSA and ODP in Region III & IV). Some of Jason Soccer Licensure include USSF “A” and the NSCAA Premier coaching license. When Jason’s not on the field, you can find him spending time with his wife and daughters, fly fishing, or mountain biking. He also enjoys following the Miami Dolphins, Arsenal football club, and the US National teams.

Technical Director, Justin Sells attended Hononegah Community High School in Rockton, Illinois and received NSCAA HS All-American honors in 1993. Sells attended The University of New Mexico from 1994-1997 where he was an All-American for the Lobos Men’s Soccer team in 1997, NSCAA All West Regional selection his final two seasons and a all-conference selection each of his four year. Sells currently holds career goals (57) and points (132) records for the Lobo Men’s Soccer program. He graduated UNM with a B.S. in Physical Education. Following his college soccer career Sells was selected in the 1998 MLS Supplementary Draft by the San Jose Clash and was the first overall pick in the 1998 USL A-League Draft by the Albuquerque Geckos. Sells enjoyed a professional soccer career spanning more than five years making close to 100 appearances as professional in MLS and USL A-League with the San Jose Clash, Charleston Battery, Hampton Roads Mariners, El Paso Patriots and Tennessee Rhythm. Sells currently holds a USSF A License and National Youth License and was previously the Technical Director for NM Rush for over 15 years. Sells’s coaching highlights include winning a USYS National League Championship (2018), working with multiple US Youth Soccer National Championships teams (2011 & 2018), and capturing a Boys ECNL Mountain Division Championship (2021). His true passion is rooted in the working with players at various stages of their soccer careers. Coach Sells has been described as a challenging, passionate and truly insightful coach. Sells is married to Rene Gonzales (former UNM women’s soccer player) and the couple have two girls that currently play with NM Rapids.

Chris Hurst is the U14-U16 Boys Director of Coaching and the Director of External Operations. Chris oversees the U14-U16 Boys teams for Rio Rapids, as well as the partnerships with other organizations throughout the Southwest. Chris grew up in Prudhoe, Northumberland in the north east of England. He moved to New Mexico in 2004 and has been working with Rio Rapids since that time, becoming a full time Director in 2006. Chris feels very fortunate to be able to share his passion for soccer with the community in New Mexico.

Chris has his B.S. in Sports & Exercise Development from the University of Sunderland in England. Some of Chris’s soccer qualifications include his USSF A License and the National Youth License. While Chris is not on the field coaching, you will find him hanging out with his wife and daughters exploring the Southwest, watching Chicago Blackhawks hockey or Denver Broncos football, playing golf, or screaming at the TV watching his beloved Sunderland play.

Ray Nause is the Director of Coaching Education and Development for Rio Rapids Soccer Club. In addition to his on-field responsibilities as a coach, Ray leads the Club’s programming in the areas of college search, coach education and member safety and welfare. He is especially passionate about guiding players and parents through the college search process and helping them to prepare for and find that perfect fit college. Ray has 16 years of experience as a collegiate soccer coach and athletic director. He has also worked as a member of the Region IV ODP camp staff, as a New Mexico ODP head coach and as a coach education instructor for NMYSA, NSCAA, USYSA and SAY Soccer courses.

Ray earned his B.S. in Nuclear Engineering magna cum laude from the University of Cincinnati. He also holds the U.S. Soccer A License, NSCAA Premier Diploma and USYSA National Youth License. Ray was drawn to New Mexico by the high desert climate and landscapes and the many bright sunny days. He appreciates the midwestern values he was introduced to growing up in Ohio and enjoyed the experiences he had while living in Vermont and upstate New York. In his time away from soccer, Ray cherishes opportunities to travel and experience the outdoors and you might also find him at the hard rock concerts coming through town.

Derrick Ayers is the Rio Rapids Boys ECNL andU16-U19 Director. He has over 20 experience at the club and college level, including stints at Arcadia University, University of South Carolina and Pfeiffer University. Since 2011, Derrick has worked as a director and coach at clubs in Ohio, Washington and South Carolina.

Derrick holds a BA in History and Political Science, as well as the USSF B License, USC DOC Diploma, and USC Premier Diploma. In his time away from the field, he enjoys reading, running and watching Manchester United.

Morgen is a former NM Rapids player, playing for Rio Grande as a child. Morgen brings with him a wealth of professional experience, after serving for 20 years in various capacities with the Albuquerque Police Department. His soccer resume is just as impressive. Morgen has coached here in Albuquerque since 2011, where he started with AUFC as a coach. He moved to Pateadores NM in May 2018 to become an Age Group Director for them. After 5 years with the Pats, he joined NM Rapids SC where he has coached in various age groups for the club. Morgen was also the Head Boys Varsity coach at Bosque High School (2021-2023).

Marie is the DPL Director, U12-U15 Girls Director and Assistant GA Director. Marie is the DPL Director, U12-U15 Girls Director and Assistant GA Director. Marie is a Rio Rapids alum that grew up in Los Lunas, NM and was part of the Xtreme 93 group. After club soccer, Marie attended Metropolitan State University of Denver where she played from 2011-2014. As a member of the Roadrunner program, she earned all-conference honors, and was a key factor in boosting the team to four NCAA Tournament Appearances, including two Sweet 16 berths. Also during her college career she was part of the Colorado Rapids Women’s U-23 team that won a National Championship in the summer of 2013.

After her collegiate career, Marie stepped into coaching college and club soccer. She was the assistant coach for Johnson & Wales University in Denver (2017-2019), Alabama State University (2019-2020) and most recently Colorado Mesa University (2021-2022). She has also coached club soccer with Colorado United and Capital City Streaks as well as being part of ODP programs for Colorado, Alabama and New Mexico. Marie has her USSF Class Level “B” License. In 2020, Marie was named to the United Soccer Coaches 30 under 30 program as one of the top young coaches in the nation. In 2024, Marie was part of the SheChampions mentorship program with US Soccer where she connected with other females with the game discussing ways to grow and support the growth of women’s roles within sport.

A graduate of Metropolitan State University of Denver, she earned her bachelor’s degree in human performance and sport. She earned her master’s degree in history from Alabama State University in the summer of 2022. Marie is a proud New Mexico native that enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Off the field, she enjoys traveling, reading and exploring the outdoors.

Chris works as the Director of Soccer Operations for the club and is also the U15-19 Girls Director of Coaching. In this role he oversees a lot of the day to day running of the club working with coaches, players and the board of directors. Chris also coaches girls teams for the club with his main focus being working with older players and their pursuit of college soccer opportunities.

Growing up in England Chris has been immersed in the game from a very young age. His playing career saw him play in college and also professionally in the Premier League of Wales before he retired due to injury. Chris moved permanently to the USA in 2000 after spending the previous three summers working camps all across the US for Challenger British Soccer Camps. He then oversaw the southwest region for Challenger Sports for a number of years before joining Rio permanently in 2004.

Chris graduated college with a bachelors degree in Sport and Exercise Sciences from the University of Birmingham (UK) and then a masters degree in Coaching Science from the University of Wales, Institute of Cardiff. He also has his USSF A License and his National Youth License. He is married with two children and is an avid Liverpool fan.

Victoria grew up in Albuquerque, NM and played club soccer for New Mexico Rush SC, winning 3 NM state championships and attended 3 Far West Regional Championships. She attended Sandia High School, where she was a 4-year varsity starter, state champion, 2x Gatorade Player of the Year, and a 2x NSCAA All-American.

Victoria attended San Diego State University from 2012-2016 and earned her BS in Recreation Administration. While attending SDSU, Victoria played for the Women’s Soccer team as a 4-year starter and was a part of 7 Mountain West Championship trophies and 3 NCAA appearances, making it as far as the Sweet 16 in 2012. Throughout her career, she was named to the NSCAA All-Pacific Region Teams and Mountain West All-Conference/All-Tournament teams.

Post college, Victoria moved back to her hometown of Albuquerque, NM where she worked/coached at International Indoor Soccer Arena for the Lil’ Kickers organization for ages 18 months-9yrs, coached at her alma mater, Sandia High School for the Girls Varsity and JV soccer teams, winning state for Varsity and with New Mexico Rush SC with the U16B, winning state. Along with coaching while home, she partook in the 2019 inaugural season of the WPSL team, Albuquerque FC, where they finished as Division Champions.

Victoria returned to San Diego to continue to pursue her coaching career in college and club soccer in the fall of 2019 to join the Women’s Soccer coaching staff at her alma mater, San Diego State University, as an Assistant coach, where they won the Mountain West Conference in 2019 and coached with San Diego Surf Soccer Club.

Victoria has been with NM Rapids SC since March 2022 and currently holds her USSF D License.

TBD

Aidan was born and raised in Albuquerque where he started his coaching career at 19 years old. Before coaching, Aidan was a Rio Alumni player, starting at the age of 6 and finishing as a senior in high school. As a player, Aidan also played as a three year lettermen at Eldorado High School from 2011-2014. Although he had opportunities to play college soccer outside of New Mexico, the opportunity to coach kept him in his hometown. In the fall of 2016, Aidan made his coaching debut as a head coach for Albuquerque United’s premier boys teams.  He also has valuable coaching experience with the Lil Kickers and the Skills Institute programs, where he coached for 12 seasons. Aidan joined Rio Rapids in the summer of 2019.

“Looking back as a player for Rio, I remember the friendships I made and the memories created as a player while playing for this club. Coming back into the same soccer club as a coach/director and being surrounded by the people who influenced me as a player, was a no-brainer. I’m extremely excited by the opportunity and even more excited to get started with the Youth Academy. I truly value the relationships you make with young and aspiring players, and I can’t wait to get on the field. Thank you to everyone involved for trusting and believing in me.”