Kearney, Neb. – Nebraska Kearney head women's soccer coach Rob Breton announced today that Gustavo "Gus" Gutierrez is the Lopers new assistant coach.

He replaced Antonio Gracia who left UNK earlier this spring, to be an assistant at Division I Cal State Bakersfield. The Loper coaching staff is rounded out by graduate assistant Haley Chitwood and volunteer assistant Daniel Jaimes.

Guiterrez began his duties this month and is involved in all aspects of the program. Most recently he was an assistant at Division I Austin Peay State (Clarksville, Tenn.) where he worked with the Governor keepers. Over an 18-game schedule in 2025, APSU recorded five shutouts and held six others to just one goal. 

"I'm very excited to be adding Gus to our staff this fall. He brings a wealth of knowledge as a GK Coach and recruiter for both the Division 2 and Division 1 level.  Having experience coaching a team and players who have competed in the national tournament at the Division 2 level, will allow Gus to help us raise the level of our program as we continue to chase our goals," said Breton.

The California native began his collegiate coaching career at Mercyhurst (Erie, Pa.), a program that recently made the move from NCAA Division II to NCAA Division I. He was a graduate assistant for the Lakers and again worked with the keepers. Guiterrez also assisted with team training sessions and tactics and created scouting reports. In 2023, MU went 16-4-1 and reached the first round of the NCAA D2 Tournament with the defense recording 13 shutouts. 

"His personality, professionalism, drive to learn and get better will be a wonderful influence on our culture and everyone else on the staff.  I look forward to the impact Gus will make on our players, our program, and our institution," said Breton.

Before his time at MU, Gutierrez was the keeper coach for Kings Hammer FC (Cincinnati, Ohio) during his senior year in 2022 and in 2023. He coached players aged nine through 12 and assisted in training with ECNL/ECRL-level players.

Gutierrez completed his bachelor's degree in science, health and wellness, while minoring in Exercise Science in May 2023 at Mount Saint Joseph (Ohio) University. He then completed his master's in organizational leadership in May 2025 at Mercyhurst. As a player for the Mount St. Joe Lions, Guiterrez recorded 217 saves in 50 appearances.

UNK reports to fall camp in early August with the first exhibition game of the 2026 season coming on Aug. 16 vs. Northeastern (Colo.) J.C. at Cope Stadium.