Coaches

Jose Fajardo

Fajardo, an accomplished soccer player and coach on many fronts, was hired in December 2015 to lead Cornell College’s women’s soccer program.


Fajardo guided the Rams to Midwest Conference Tournament appearances in 2022 and 2019. His memorable 2019 squad, picked eighth in the MWC Preseason Coaches' Poll, finished 12-6-2 and earned the program's first postseason berth in 11 years as the No. 2 seed in the MWC Tournament. The 2019 Rams recorded the third-most wins in school history and posted 10 shutouts.


The competitive 2018 team recorded six shutouts and allowed only 1.52 goals per match. Fajardo inherited a 2-15 team in his first year at the helm in 2016.


A native of Seville, Spain, Fajardo brings a wealth of soccer experience to the Hilltop, including as a professional player overseas. He has been head coach at Iowa City High School since 1998, the past 20 years directing the City High boys’ team.


Fajardo has compiled a 406-117-1 overall record in 27 seasons coaching the Iowa City High boys and girls soccer programs. He's led the boys program to multiple state tournaments, highlighted by runner-up showings in 2022, 2016, 2013 and 2010. Fajardo was named Class 3A Boys State Coach of the Year in 2016 and 2010.


Fajardo posted an impressive 108-14 mark with the girls team from 1998-2004, leading the Little Hawks to six consecutive MVC championships and three state tournament appearances (4th place in 2001, 3rd in 2002 and 2003). Fajardo was twice voted MVC Girls Coach of the Year.


Since 2011, Fajardo has spent time in Scottsdale, Ariz., with Sereno Soccer Club as director of the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL), the top league in the country for girls 14-18. Fajardo’s 2013 team was crowned ECNL national champions.


Fajardo was a top-flight professional player in Spain, which featured stints with Granada Club de Futbol (1988-91, 1994-96), Real Club Recreativo de Huelva (1993-94) and Real Betis Balompie (1991-94). He was a member of the Spanish National Team for multiple years, including the U20 World Cup squad.


Fajardo played on the Andalucia regional team that captured U15 and U16 national championships. He was named “Best Midfielder” at the U15 national tournament and awarded the “Future Star” trophy on the Spanish U16 National Team.


Fajardo graduated from the University of Sevilla in 1997 with a bachelor’s degree in sports leisure and history. He speaks native Spanish, English and Portuguese. Fajardo earned his USSF “B” License in 2000 and has held the USSF “A” License – U.S. soccer’s highest professional license – since 2001-02.


Fajardo held previous full-time positions as technical director and head coach of Eastern Iowa United (2010-11), Iowa Soccer Club-Eastern Iowa United (2004-10) and Iowa City Alliance Soccer Club (1997-2004). Fajardo was head women’s coach at Mount Mercy College (1997-98) and volunteer women’s assistant at the University of Iowa (2004-05).


Fajardo has worked collegiate soccer camps at the University of Notre Dame (2001-present), Stanford University (2003-08) and Indiana University (2006-10).


Fajardo and his wife Susan reside in Iowa City with their son Micah, 11, and daughter Monet, 8.