Rafael Costa enters his first season as head coach of the Mississippi College men's soccer program in 2025, bringing a deep connection to the university and a diverse background in coaching at multiple levels of the game. A proud Mississippi College alumnus, Costa graduated in 2019 with a master’s degree in Professional Communication in Sports and now returns to Clinton to lead the very program he once captained as a student-athlete.
Costa takes the reins following the retirement of longtime head coach Kevin Johns, who led the Choctaws for 22 seasons. A former standout midfielder for MC, Costa was a two-year letterwinner from 2017–2018. His accolades include First Team All-Gulf South Conference and D2CCA All-South Region Second Team honors in 2018, as well as selection to the Mississippi College Men's Soccer All-Decade Team. He was also the recipient of the program's Outstanding Senior Letterman Award in 2019.
Prior to his appointment, Costa built an extensive coaching résumé across high school, club, and collegiate soccer. Most recently, he served as an assistant coach for both the men’s and women’s programs at Holmes Community College, while also coaching youth teams in the Elite Club National League (ECNL) with MS Rush United. His previous roles include head girls coach at Starkville High School, director of coaching for Tupelo Futbol Club’s Starkville site, and volunteer assistant coach at Mississippi College in 2019 and again in 2021.
Known for his passion for mentorship and player development, Costa brings a strong understanding of the program’s culture, mission, and values.
"It's great to be back home," Costa says. "Mississippi College has had a lasting impact on my life, and I’m honored to now lead this team. I look forward to building on the foundation that Coach Johns established and continuing the program’s tradition of excellence on and off the field."
Costa resides in Madison, Mississippi, with his wife, Rebecca, and their daughter, Adalyn.
