Carlos Somoano (2013) - Eckerd College Athletics Hall of Fame

Eckerd College Athletics Hall of Fame

Carlos Somoano

Class

1992
Induction

2013
Sport(s)

Men's Soccer

Somoano's roots as an undergraduate student-athlete from Seabrook, Texas, began as a four-year letter-winner with the successful continued rise of the Eckerd men's soccer program in the late 80's (1987-1990).
As a two-year captain in 1988 and 1989 and standout midfielder for the Tritons, Somoano helped pilot the team as an All-Sunshine State Conference selection and the distinction of being an NSCAA All-South Region performer.
In 1992, he graduated from Eckerd with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology.
In 2000, he obtained his Master's Degree in Sports Management from the University of Richmond and was an assistant coach for the Tar Heels before being promoted.
During his time at Eckerd, Somoano contributed to a push in the national rankings as the Tritons climbed as high as No. 16 in the country.
He stayed within the program under longtime icon Jim DiNoble as an assistant coach from 1992-1995 and helped the team compile 33 wins in that time span.
Prior to landing head coach responsibilities at North Carolina in 2011, Somoano was an assistant coach at Virginia Commonwealth University for six seasons.
Somoano worked his way to the elite level of collegiate soccer at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, taking the Tar Heels to a national championship in 2011. UNC finished with a 21-2-3 overall record and he was rewarded with National Coach of the Year by Soccer America and Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year honors.
Somoano is currently the active leader in winning percentage among Division I Men’s Soccer head coaches and has sent many of his student-athletes to MLS teams.
He currently resides in Chapel Hill with his wife, Martina, and three children, Sofia, Gabriela, and Alexander as UNC’s Head Men’s Soccer Coach.