Grand Rapids, Mich. — Momentum is real. Timing matters. And when a proud program finds the right leader at exactly the right moment, magic can follow. Aquinas Women's Soccer just made that move.
With that momentum in mind, Aquinas College has named Mario Zuniga-Gil the ninth head coach in the history of Saints Women's Soccer. Zuniga-Gil takes the reins following interim head coach Jenna Smith, who admirably led the program after James DeCosemo's resignation last July.
Coach Zuniga-Gil inherits a program that is not only stable, but thriving.
The 2025 AQ Saints finished 12–7–1 overall and 8–2–1 in WHAC play, placing second in the conference and advancing to the NAIA National Tournament. The Saints captured a first-round national victory before falling to Marian in the second round — a season that reaffirmed the strength of the roster and the tradition of excellence within the program. Now, that tradition turns the page to a new leader.
Zuniga-Gil brings with him an impressive and diverse coaching résumé that spans high school, club, collegiate, and international levels. Most recently, he has served as the Girls College Recruiting Coordinator for Midwest United FC and as Head Girls Varsity Soccer Coach at Zeeland East High School. He also spent the 2025–26 academic year as Head Women's Soccer Coach at Grand Rapids Community College while simultaneously serving as Director of College Recruiting for Michigan Rangers FC.
At the collegiate level, Zuniga-Gil has experience competing at the highest stages of NCAA soccer. He was an assistant coach at Calvin University during a 2024 campaign that saw the Knights capture both the MIAA Regular Season and Tournament Championships while advancing to the NCAA Division III Second Round. Prior to that, he served as an assistant at Grand Valley State University, contributing to a 2023 NCAA Division II Elite Eight appearance and a 2022 GLIAC Regular Season and Tournament Championship season that culminated in a Sweet Sixteen run.
His background also includes time at the University of Michigan during its 2021 Big Ten Tournament Championship season and NCAA Division I Elite Eight run, as well as assistant and head coaching roles at Madonna University, Chelsea High School, Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard High School, and leadership positions within Kingdom Soccer Club and Chill SBC Soccer Club. Internationally, he gained experience with Burton Albion FC in the United Kingdom and Granada Noroeste CM in Spain.
A native of Spain, Zuniga-Gil earned his Bachelor of Arts in Translation & Interpreting from the University of Granada and later completed his Master of Science in Soccer Coaching Education from Ohio University. He and his wife Amanda reside in Grand Rapids, and in his free time he enjoys traveling — especially back to Spain — and cooking.
"The opportunity to lead the Aquinas Women's Soccer program is truly special," said Head Coach Mario Zuniga-Gil. "From the moment I stepped on campus, I could feel the history, the pride, and the tight-knit community that makes Aquinas unique. This program already has a strong foundation, and I'm excited to build on that tradition, develop our student-athletes both on and off the field, and compete for championships the right way."
Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Damon Bouwkamp expressed confidence in the direction of the program under Zuniga-Gil's leadership.
"Mario brings an incredible depth of experience and a championship pedigree to Aquinas," said Damon Bouwkamp. "He has coached at multiple levels of collegiate soccer and been part of programs that know how to win in the postseason. Just as importantly, he understands the importance of developing the whole student-athlete. We believe he is the right leader at the right time for our Women's Soccer program."
Assistant Athletic Director and Senior Woman Leader Ashley Kaman echoed that enthusiasm.
"Coach Zuniga-Gil's energy, organization, and passion for student-athlete development stood out throughout the hiring process," said Ashley Kaman. "He understands the standard of excellence that already exists within our program and is eager to elevate it even further. Our women will benefit tremendously from his experience and vision."
When asked why Aquinas was the right fit, Zuniga-Gil pointed to the college's identity and environment.
"The rich history of the institution, the beautiful campus here in Grand Rapids, the close-knit community feel, the academic standing of Aquinas, and the tradition of success within the soccer program all made this an easy decision," he said.
With a proven record of contributing to conference championships, national tournament runs, and elite-level recruiting, Mario Zuniga-Gil now steps into a Saints program that is already nationally competitive — and hungry for more.
At Aquinas, it's always about building something bigger than the moment. And for Saints Women's Soccer, the next chapter begins now.
