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.

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 B 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.

Bio TBA

Marie is the U11-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 named an assistant coach for Colorado ODP and head coach for Alabama ODP. Licensed by the USSF Class Level “C” License, she also obtained her United Soccer Coaches Diversity and Inclusion Diploma and United Soccer Coaches Goalkeepers License – Level 1. In 2020, Marie was named to the United Soccer Coaches 30 under 30 program as one of the top young coaches in the nation.

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.

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.”