AMES, Iowa – Iowa State head tennis coach Jaron Maestas has announced the hiring of Auburn University at Montgomery men’s and women’s head coach Yair Banuelos as assistant coach for the Cyclone program. Banuelos spent the last six seasons leading both AUM programs and was twice named the school’s head coach of the year (2018, 2023).

 

“Yair has stood out to me because of the man he is,” Maestas said. “With 10 years of head coaching experience I felt he was the right fit with the vision for the future. We welcome him and his family to Ames.”

 

“I am thrilled to join a program like Iowa State,” Banuelos added. “I want to thank Coach Maestas for this incredible opportunity. I know we are going to be a hard-working team and will keep Iowa State tennis as a top program. Our passion, enthusiasm and love for college tennis will make this program truly special.”

 

Banuelos led both the AUM men’s and women’s program to the NCAA Division II South Regional in 2022-23, with the team’s combining to go 34-15 overall. The women’s team finished 18-6 last season and defeated six Top 50 teams, highlighted by a win over No. 6 North Georgia.

 

On the women’s side, the Warhawks went 9-1 in Gulf South Conference action and finished the season ranked No. 19 in the ITA Rankings. Three of his players earned all-conference honors and his doubles team of Estefania Garcia and Regina Urbiola finished the year ranked No. 7 and earned All-America honors.

 

The Warhawks, who moved to NCAA Division II in 2017, reached the last two NCAA Women’s Tournaments.

 

Banuelos took over both programs in 2018 and posted a 67-47 in guiding the AUM women’s program during its beginning years of Division II, while also recording a 64-46 record on the men’s side.

 

Banuelos arrived at AUM after a four-year stint leading both the men’s and women’s programs at his alma mater, Western New Mexico University, a Division II program in Silver City, New Mexico.

 

He was named Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 2015 after leading the Mustang women to the regular season title. Western New Mexico won the 2015 and 2016 RMAC Tournament.

 

Banuelos, a Mexico City, Mexico native, earned his associate’s degree in health and wellness from Riverside City College in 2009. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology with a minor in coaching from Western New Mexico University in 2011 and his master’s degree in interdisciplinary studies with concentrations in kinesiology and psychology in 2013.

 

Banuelos excelled on the court at WNM, earning Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Player of the Year honors as a junior in 2010 and Senior Player of the Year honors in the South Central Region in 2011. He was singles and doubles All-RMAC first team as a junior and senior.

 

In his final season playing, Banuelos went 6-0 in both singles and doubles during conference play.

 

Banuelos is married to Doris Banuelos. The couple has a son, Sebastian.