The Lady Panthers are entering a bold new era with the appointment of Marco Santos as Head Girls Soccer Coach. By elevating a respected veteran of the Panther family to this role, United South High School and UISD Athletics are doubling down on experience; Coach Santos arrives with over two decades of tactical knowledge and a proven track record of developing elite athletic talent. 

Coach Santos is a Brownsville native and a graduate of United ISD’s Alexander High School. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Psychology from Texas A&M International University (TAMIU). Currently serving as a Psychology and Sociology teacher at United South, Santos has also been instrumental as the Assistant Girls' Soccer Coach at the high school and the head of the soccer program at United South Middle School.

Campus and district leadership expressed high confidence in Santos’ ability to elevate the program. "We are excited to welcome Coach Santos as the new Girls Soccer Coach," said Martha Alvarez, USHS Campus Principal. "He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our program. We look forward to him building a great program here at South."

Santos’ journey on the pitch began at age four. His playing career included four years of varsity soccer across Homer Hanna High School and Alexander High School. Transitioning from player to mentor, he has spent over 12 years working with youth and six years in formal coaching roles.

"We are proud to promote Coach Santos as our new head girls soccer coach,” shared UISD Athletic Director Bobby Cruz as he emphasized the importance of internal growth. “We are eager to see the program grow under his leadership."

By leveraging his background in psychology, Santos focuses on more than just tactical skills; he prioritizes building discipline, resilience, and character-foundations he believes are necessary for the next generation of athletes.

“I am truly blessed and grateful for this opportunity,” Coach Santos shared while reflecting on the appointment. “My dream of becoming a head coach is now a reality, and I will make sure I make the best of it. I am honored to lead such a talented and dedicated group of young athletes. This program means a great deal to me, and I am committed to building on its strong foundations with hard work, discipline, and unity. As the family we are, the girls and I will continue to push ourselves to grow as leaders on and off the field."

In a message to the UISD community, Coach Santos shared his enthusiasm for the future: "I am excited for what lies ahead and extremely proud to represent this Panther Family, our unified community, and the United South girls’ soccer team. Go South!"