Diego Walsh begins his first year as assistant coach in 2017 after spending the previous two seasons as a graduate assistant coach for the Lopes. He joined his former college head coach Schellas Hyndman for his first coaching stint after a 10-year professional soccer career as a player.
Walsh was the seventh overall selection in the MLS SuperDraft in 2003 by the Columbus Crew. He made 126 career appearances for seven professional teams, the last coming in 2012. Prior to his pro career, Walsh played four years at Southern Methodist from 1999 to 2002 and was a two-time All-American and was named to the NSCAA "Team of the Decade," in 2010. He finished as SMU's all-time leader in assists, with 39, and was fifth in goals, also with 39.
During his prep career, Walsh played club soccer for Miami Strike Force, a squad that won numerous titles, including five state titles in a row, a pair of regional titles, and was runner-up in the national championship event.Â
Walsh graduated from SMU in 2002 with a bachelor's degree in business, and is currently working toward a master's degree in accounting at Grand Canyon. He has one son, Atlas Michael Stutz-Walsh.Â