CLINTON, Miss. — Mississippi College has named alumnus Rafael Costa as the new head coach of the Choctaws men's soccer program, Athletic Director Kenny Bizot announced Friday.
Costa, a 2019 graduate of Mississippi College with a master's degree in Professional Communication in Sports, returns to Clinton to lead the program he once captained as a student-athlete. He replaces longtime head coach Kevin Johns, who led the Choctaws for 22 seasons.
"We are excited to welcome Rafa back to Mississippi College," Bizot said. "As a former Choctaw player, he understands the culture, mission, and values of this program and university. He brings with him a wealth of coaching experience and a deep passion for developing young men on and off the field."
Costa most recently served as an assistant coach for both the men's and women's soccer programs at Holmes Community College while also coaching the U13 and U14 Boys with MS Rush United in the Elite Club National League (ECNL). His coaching résumé spans high school, club, and collegiate soccer, including previous stops as head girls coach at Starkville High School, director of coaching for Tupelo Futbol Club's Starkville site, and volunteer assistant at MC in 2019 and spring of 2021.
As a player, Costa was a two-year letterwinner at Mississippi College from 2017–18. He was named First Team All-Gulf South Conference and D2CCA All-South Region Second Team in 2018, and later earned a spot on the Mississippi College Men's Soccer All-Decade Team. He also received the program's Outstanding Senior Letterman Award in 2019.
"It's great to be back home. I want to say a huge thank you to Coach Kenny Bizot and Coach Susan Musselwhite for all their help through the hiring process. From the moment I stepped back on campus it was like I had never left," Costa said. "I'm thrilled to lead this team and build on the foundation that has been established by Coach Kevin Johns. I know the impact that this program has had on its players and the community, and I look forward to adding to the program's rich history."
Costa and his wife, Rebecca, live in Madison with their daughter, Adalyn.
