Today we’d like to introduce you to Arturo Hoyos.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I first started coaching at 18 years old with the Junior Academy at a small local club called Golden Eagles FC. From there, I coached at several other local clubs before eventually becoming the Director of the Girls Program at South Bay Surf Soccer Club, now known as SD Surf South. That journey ultimately led me to San Diego Surf Soccer Club, where I currently serve as the Girls Pre-ECNL Coach.
My coaching philosophy truly took shape during my time playing overseas with Club Deportivo Montcada in Barcelona, Spain, and FSV Erlangen-Bruck in Germany. Those experiences immersed me in a possession-based, player-centered style of soccer that completely changed the way I viewed the game. It made me realize that I didn’t just want to play soccer, I wanted to teach it.
Ironically, I was set to move to Japan in late 2019 to teach English, but when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, those plans came to an unexpected end. Instead, I committed myself fully to coaching. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, as it ultimately led me to build my own all-girls training academy, Elite IQ Football.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Like any career in sports, my journey has never been completely smooth. Challenges are part of the job, but over the years I’ve learned that overcoming them starts with surrounding yourself with the right people: coaches, families, and players who trust one another and share the same vision. That’s true at both San Diego Surf and Elite IQ Football.
One of the biggest challenges I face is helping parents understand that player development is a long-term process, especially at the younger ages. It’s easy to focus on what flight a team competes in, or whether a player is on an A or B team, etc. In reality, those things matter far less than the quality of the training environment. What truly accelerates development is getting meaningful repetitions every week, consistently making decisions under pressure, solving problems, and competing against strong teammates in training. Those daily training experiences have a much greater impact on a player’s growth than a single weekend match. In fact, outside of tournament semifinals and finals, training sessions are often more demanding than the games themselves.
At Elite IQ Football, the challenges are a little different and tend to be more logistical. Securing affordable field space is a constant challenge, and making sure our coaching staff has everything they need to deliver high-quality sessions, whether in Mission Valley or North County, requires a great deal of planning. There are always obstacles to overcome, but I’m fortunate to have Coach Jay alongside me. Together, we find solutions, adapt to whatever comes our way, and continue providing the best possible environment for our players to develop.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I currently wear two hats in the soccer world. I’m the Girls Pre-ECNL Coach at SD Surf, and obviously also the founder of Elite IQ Football. My biggest passion is helping young players become intelligent decision-makers who understand the game, not just execute skills. Every training session is designed to maximize touches on the ball, expose players to game-like situations, and challenge their Soccer IQ so they learn when to pass, dribble, support, or recognize space. I truly believe that at the younger ages, development comes from meaningful repetitions in a high-quality training environment, not from worrying about what flight a team is in or whether a player is labeled as an A or B team player.
What I’m most proud of is seeing players grow into confident, intelligent footballers who genuinely enjoy the game and earn opportunities because of their development, not because they were rushed to win at a young age. I’m equally proud of the trust that families place in me and in the process we’ve built. I think what sets me apart is that I never lose sight of the long-term goal. Winning is great, but if a player leaves my environment with better decision-making, higher Soccer IQ, stronger technical ability, and a deeper understanding of the game, then I’ve done my job. I want every player I coach to leave as a better footballer than when they first arrived.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I think my family would describe me as a happy kid with way too much energy and a one-track mind. If I wasn’t at school, there was a good chance I was either playing soccer, watching soccer, or outside with my friends pretending we were in a World Cup final. To be honest, I probably drove everyone around me a little crazy because somehow every conversation ended up being about soccer. My biggest idol was Ronaldinho. The joy, creativity, and freedom he played with made me fall in love with the game, and naturally, with Barcelona too. Looking back, it’s pretty funny because not much has changed. I’m still the guy who can somehow turn almost any conversation into one about soccer.
As I got older, through my teenage years and into my twenties, I realized I only really needed two things to be happy: a soccer ball and a plane ticket. If I wasn’t playing or coaching, I wanted to be hiking, exploring nature, or traveling somewhere new with my mom, my family, or close friends. I’ve always believed there are two incredible ways to experience the world: with a soccer ball at your feet or by immersing yourself in a new culture. Looking back, I feel incredibly lucky that my career has allowed me to combine both. Soccer has taken me to places I never imagined, introduced me to lifelong friendships, and given me the opportunity to wake up every day doing something I genuinely love. I don’t take that for granted, even if my friends and family still have to hear me talk about soccer a little more than they’d probably like.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://eliteiqfootball.com
- Instagram: @elite.iq.football
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arturo-hoyos-mpa-aa1157110/
- Youtube: @eliteiqfootball
