SEWARD, Neb. – Both Concordia University, Nebraska Soccer programs will undergo a change in the head coaching position. After 18 seasons leading the men’s soccer program, Jason Weides has assumed the title of Director of Soccer Operations / Head Women’s Soccer Coach of the Bulldogs. Meanwhile, Concordia has appointed Concordia Athletics Hall of Famer Bernie Ochoa as Head Men’s Soccer Coach. Weides and Ochoa were teammates as student-athletes.
Director of Athletics Devin Smith formerly coached Weides and played a role in recruiting Ochoa to Concordia. Weides stands out as the winningest coach in Concordia Men’s Soccer program history. Ochoa now looks to make his mark at the collegiate level.
Said Devin Smith in a statement, “First and foremost, I want to express my sincere gratitude to our Associate Athletics Director, Angela Muller, for the leadership, wisdom and guidance throughout this process and the willingness of Jason Weides to prayerfully consider a new horizon within Bulldog Athletics. Their commitment to doing what is best for our student-athletes and our programs was instrumental in navigating this new path for Concordia University, Nebraska, and its shareholders. We are excited to announce long-time and highly respected head coach, Jason Weides, from one program to another while adding the role of Director of Soccer Operations, which provides administrative leadership for both the men’s and women’s soccer programs. Weides’ track record of success, character and relationships within our department make him a tremendous fit to continue building on the strong foundation of our soccer programs. At the same time, we are delighted to welcome alum, Bernie Ochoa, back home to CUNE to serve as the new head men’s soccer coach. Bringing someone in who understands our Christian mission, family culture and values system is an exciting step forward for our students and campus community. I could not be more pleased with the thought, patience and persistence displayed to solidify these two positions within our athletics department.”
The following statements were issued by Weides and Ochoa in reaction to their new roles.
Said Weides, “I'm incredibly thankful, excited and honored to now serve both soccer programs at Concordia. After prayerful consideration, the opportunity to lead a great women's program while continuing to build on the success of the men's program as the Director of Soccer felt like a perfect fit. With the vision and support of our athletic leadership, this innovative structure will provide both programs with the platform to continue excelling and reaching new heights. The future of Bulldog Soccer is bright, and I'm grateful to be part of the pursuit of Concordia's mission and vision.”
Said Ochoa, “I’m extremely excited and blessed with the opportunity to coach at my alma mater and lead the men’s soccer program. My vision is to continue creating a winning culture that aligns with the University mission statement. When mission, culture, faith and excellence align, it’s a direct result of a winning program. We will build men of character through this Christ centered institution. I want to give thanks to Concordia University. It’s an honor to be a part of the Bulldog Family.”
Weides shifts to the head coaching role previously held by Nick Smith for three seasons. Weides has served as head men’s soccer coach since 2008. Over 18 seasons, Weides compiled an overall record of 183-117-47 (98-62-29 GPAC) at his alma mater. Major highlights included GPAC tournament championships in 2015, 2022 and 2025 with NAIA national tournament appearances coming in each of those three seasons. This past ’25 campaign, Weides guided the Bulldogs to the second round of the national tournament for the first time in program history. Weides and his staff were honored as the 2025 NAIA Plains Region Staff of the Year by United Soccer Coaches.
During his run on the men’s side, Weides coached many of the school’s greatest players, including the likes of two-time First Team All-GPAC striker Marcelo Hernandez, all-time leading goal scorer Nathan Douglas and 2024 GPAC Defensive Player of the Year Iker Casanova. In addition to consistent success on the field, Weides’ teams have routinely earned NAIA Scholar Team status. His ’17 team remains the school record holder for most wins in a single season with 16. The ’23 squad that went 13-1-4 overall climbed as high as No. 18 in the NAIA coaches’ poll and finished at No. 21.
Concordia Women’s Soccer has excelled as one of the GPAC’s top programs for more than a decade. Since the start of the 2014 season, the Bulldogs have won 13 or more games eight times with three GPAC postseason championships (2014, 2016 and 2020) and one GPAC regular season title (2017). Concordia has qualified for the national tournament four times during that stretch. The program’s first national tournament win came in 2024 under Nick Smith’s leadership.
As Weides helps ease the transition, Ochoa will look to build upon the aforementioned success enjoyed by the men’s program. A native of Napa, Calif., Ochoa has been a soccer lifer. He ventured to Seward for his college career and was a three-time GPAC All-Conference honoree and the 2000 GPAC Player of the Year as a Bulldog. For his excellence as a student-athlete, Ochoa was inducted into the Concordia Athletics Hall of Fame. Ochoa went on to play professionally for the Tiburones Rojas De Veracruz, Atlas Reservas, Sonoma Sol and Sioux Falls Spitfire.
In his home state of California, Ochoa has coached extensively at the high school and club levels. During his high school coaching tenure from 2003 through 2019, Ochoa led teams to two CIF sectional championships and 10 Monticello Empire League titles while compiling records of 139-26-16 on the boy’s side and 156-80-49 on the girl’s side. He was named Napa County KVYN Coach of the Year, CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Coach of the Year, Monticello Empire League Coach of the Year (seven times) and Napa All County Coach of the Year (11 times). Ochoa was chosen to the state’s High School Hall of Fame in 2023. Ochoa was head coach of Vintage High School from 2003-09 and 2012-19.
Ochoa also began coaching club soccer beginning in 2003, while serving the Napa United Soccer Club (staff coach), Napa Sport Academy (Club Coaching Director) and Napa Soccer Academy (staff coach). The accomplishments have included two US Club National Cup championships in seven US Club National Cup appearances, seven US Club regional championships, one US Club Midwest Regional finalist finish, one CYSA Cal North State Cup finalist advancement, two NorCal State Cup championships and 13 NorCal league titles. Ochoa is able to relate to student-athletes of all backgrounds and is fluent in English and Spanish.
Weides stated the following about Ochoa, “We have added a proven and trusted leader in Bernie Ochoa on the men's side. I'm thrilled to reunite with a friend and former college teammate and work alongside him. He is a top-notch coach and person who will add value to our student-athletes and the greater Concordia community.”