Juan Yepes joined the Cowgirls at the beginning of the 2023 season as an assistant coach.
In his first season with the Pokes, Yepes assisted in getting the team to its first SLC Tournament championship game since 2008. Serving primarily as a goalkeeper coach, he saw Jackie Kelly named to the All-SLC Team, All-Tournament Team, All-Louisiana Team, SLC All-Academic Team, and Academic All-District Team. He also oversaw Briana O'Dell before she went on to ink a professional contract with KFF Vllaznia.
Following the season, Yepes served as an assistant coach with Nani FC during the TST (The Soccer Tournament) Challenge, in a runner-up bid for the million-dollar prize for the men's bracket. He worked with the goalkeepers alongside stars such as Chris Frederick, Goncalo Ferreira, Joshua Lemos, and Vinnie Durand.
In his second season, Yepes helped guide the team to only allowing 37 goals on the season while picking up four victories. The team earned three shutouts on the season.
Yepes comes from FC Carmen Bucuresti where he served as an assistant and goalkeeper coach for the first division club. He helped the club to finish third in the standings with a 9-2-0 record.
Prior to the 2022-23 season, he accumulated a wealth of experience at various levels. Yepes was the goalkeeper program director for the Under 16 and Under 10 girls' programs at the Dynamo Dash Youth Soccer Club in Beaumont. He led the way in player development and helped evaluate player performances.
During the 2021 campaign, he was a part of the Northwestern State soccer program that won the Southland Conference Tournament and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. He coached the SLC Goalkeeper of the Year and the MVP of the tournament. His guidance led the team to ranking second nationally in shutouts.
Before joining the Northwestern State staff, he spent the 2020-21 season with South Carolina State. In 2019, he worked at SC Marítimo, St. Peter's University, and Central Florida Panthers Soccer Club. He worked at several clubs prior as well.
Fitzgerald commented, "Due to Juan's vast experience, he has performed every aspect of the job at some point in his career, which will allow him to hit the ground running for us. He has a love of the game and a depth of knowledge and experience that will make both our players and coaches better, and we feel blessed to be able to add him to our staff."
Yepes graduated from UNEM Costa Rica in 2005 with a degree in business. He played collegiate soccer for Club Estudiantil at Universidsd de Medellin prior. After college, he played a year at the semi-professional level at Club Gimnasio alongside several former Colombia National Team players.
Yepes owns a UEFA "B" License from the German Federation.
