Londono
By David Walsh

BY CHIP CIRILLO

Coaching Ravenwood’s boys and girls soccer teams for the past six years involved a big time commitment, so Jose Londono has decided to step down.

“Actually, I just wanted a break,” Londono said. “Early in the summer, I approached the administration and I told them.”

Londono, 44, led the Lady Raptors (18-2) to the Class AAA semifinals, where they fell to eventual champion Houston in October. He also guided Ravenwood to a runner-up finish in 2013 and a semifinal appearance the following season.

Londono led the boys to a state runner-up finish in 2016 after a semifinal appearance the previous season.

“When you do both it really seems more like one long season, especially when you go to the playoffs, you go to state,” Londono said. “It makes it a little bit longer.”

Londono coached at the youth level before arriving at Ravenwood, so he saw many players make the transition from youngsters to college players.

“Some of the boys started playing soccer at an early age, and I was part of that,” Londono said. “Then I got to see them at the high school level and some of the boys played in college, and they come back to see me. So being part of that entire cycle – it’s amazing, something that I’ll cherish because it’s special.”

Londono still coaches at soccer camps and works as a district director with the Olympic development program.

Previously, he coached at Lipscomb Academy.

He was a forward/midfielder at Evansville during his college days and played professionally in six lower-level leagues, including a stint with the Nashville Metros of the A-League in addition to teams in Colombia and Puerto Rico.