Joe Mellars enters his third season on the University of Colorado Colorado Springs men’s soccer coaching staff in 2026, serving as a graduate assistant coach under Head Men’s Soccer Coach Lewis Wilcox after joining the program in June 2024.
The UCCS men’s soccer program took another step forward in Mellars’ second year with the program in 2026 as the Mountain Lions posted a 12-6-5 overall record and a conference record of 7-2-1, clinching the program’s first regular season championship. As the No. 1 seed in the RMAC Tournament, UCCS defeated Westminster University in the semifinals and Metropolitan State University Denver in the championship match to claim its first conference tournament title and earn a berth in the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive season. The Mountain Lions’ historic run continued on the national stage as the squad defeated Cal State LA and Cal State Dominguez Hills in the first and second rounds of the NCAA tournament, respectively, securing the first two NCAA Tournament victories in program history and advancing to the Round of 16 for the first time.
In his first season on staff, Mellars helped guide UCCS to a historic campaign in which the Mountain Lions set program records for consecutive victories (eight), single-season wins (14), and fewest losses (3). The team achieved the highest national ranking in program history at No. 3, spending seven consecutive weeks in the top five nationally, and posted a program-best .730 winning percentage. UCCS capped off the season by reaching the second round of the NCAA Division II Men’s Soccer Tournament for the first time in program history.
In his first season on staff, Mellars helped guide UCCS to a historic campaign in which the Mountain Lions set program records for consecutive victories (eight), single-season wins (14), and fewest losses (3). The team achieved the highest national ranking in program history at No. 3, spending seven consecutive weeks in the top five nationally, and posted a program-best .730 winning percentage. UCCS capped off the season by reaching the second round of the NCAA Division II Men’s Soccer Tournament for the first time in program history.
Before arriving at UCCS, Mellars served as head coach for Real Salt Lake Arizona’s 2008, 2009, and 2010 boys’ teams from 2022 to 2024, where he developed multiple players who advanced to higher competitive levels. He also worked as an assistant coach with McMinn United (2021–2022), helping guide the 2013, 2014, and 2015 girls’ teams, including a state cup championship-winning side in 2022. Mellars’ earlier coaching experience includes serving as assistant camp director with PJSS Coaching in Cardiff, Wales.
A native of Wales, Mellars had a distinguished playing career, representing Wales Colleges and Schools at U18 and U19 levels in international fixtures and tournaments, including the Roma Caput Mundi and Centenary Shield. Collegiately, he competed for Tennessee Wesleyan University before completing his undergraduate studies and soccer career at Ottawa University Arizona, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Science in 2023. Mellars is currently pursuing a Master’s in Business Administration at UCCS.
He holds a USSF ‘D’ License, along with multiple USSF and A.F.C.A.S. coaching certifications, and is CPR/AHA certified.
