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Camilo Valencia joined Mohave Community College in August 2022 as the director of soccer programs and men’s team head coach.  He will lead the way to help MCC create the first-ever college athletic program based in northwestern Arizona.

Prior to MCC, he spent six seasons as an Assistant Men’s Soccer Coach at UNLV, ending his tenure as the Interim Head Men’s Soccer Coach in 2021. Valencia first joined the staff in July 2016, helping guide the Rebels to the 2016 WAC Tournament Title and a 2016 NCAA second round appearance.

Prior to joining UNLV, he spent two seasons as the top Assistant Coach at Sewanee: The University of the South in Tennessee. As the lead assistant for the Tigers, he assisted in all aspects of running the team while also serving as the recruiting coordinator.

Valencia began his coaching career as the Technical Director at Club Sport Legends in Cali, Colombia from 2012 to 2015. This program provides Colombian student-athletes an opportunity to continue to play competitive sports while attending a university in the U.S.

Before stepping into coaching, Valencia played professionally in the Colombian first division for Cortulua and Boyaca Chico and in Argentina for CSD Flandria. Additionally, he played for the U-20 Colombian National Team in 2003. He played for 12 years and is a product of the youth programs of Colombian powerhouse Deportivo Cali.

As a student-athlete Valencia was a captain at Yavapai College, where he guided the Roughriders to the 2007 NJCAA National Championship. He then transferred to UNLV playing for the Rebels from 2008 to 2010.

A graduate of the University of Nevada Las Vegas, Valencia received his bachelors of science in Business Marketing in 2011 and received his master’s degree in Exercise Science and Health Promotion from the California University of Pennsylvania in 2016. He holds a United States Soccer Federation (USSF) “B” License and National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) National and Advanced National Diplomas. A native of Washington, D.C., Valencia and his wife Kalie welcomed their daughter Alana in July 2018 and son Lucas in 2021.

Robert Podeyn came to MCC from Nicholls State University in Louisiana where he served as head coach of the women’s soccer team. His coaching career spans various levels of college soccer, starting as an assistant coach at NCAA Division I Central Florida and progressing to head coaching positions at NCAA Division II, NAIA, and other levels.

His coaching experience includes working with renowned clubs such as AFC Ajax in Holland, Clube Atletico Mineiro in Brazil, and Fiorentina in Italy, which has equipped him with extensive recruiting networks both in the USA and abroad.

Podeyn’s coaching philosophy emphasizes building a positive team environment based on work ethic, commitment, dedication and loyalty. He has a proven track record of rebuilding and improving programs, with a strong emphasis on player retention, academic success, and community service.