Jose Melecio’s coaching journey started at just 16 years old, running practices, organizing teams, and discovering a passion that would shape the rest of his life. Decades later, after serving in the United States Air Force and building a career in federal leadership, that same passion still drives him, this time as a varsity head coach and youth program director impacting the next generation.
Grounded in military values like service before self and integrity, Melecio uses sport as a platform to build more than athletes, he builds leaders. His ability to connect, lead, and create meaningful impact both on and off the court is what makes him the March Soldier Coach of the Month. Read below to learn more about his journey and coaching philosophy.
STS: How long have you been coaching?
Coach Melecio: My very first head coaching opportunity was in 1997. I fell in love with it and have been involved with sports in some shape or form ever since, whether playing or coaching. I still remember our record that first year, who my best players were, their strengths and weaknesses, what types of plays worked best with that group, and some of the fun moments we had, and I was only 16 years old.
STS: Tell your story about how and why you got into coaching. How has coaching impacted you as a person?
Coach Melecio: My first experience coaching goes all the way back to 1997. I grew up in a very diverse area in Miami and played just about every sport you can imagine, but basketball was the one that really stuck with me. It was the one I loved the most and the one I felt most connected to, from dunking on my Fisher-Price hoop in the hallway to trying to mimic Michael Jordan, tongue out and all, much to my mom’s frustration in base housing.
During the off-season of my high school years, I found myself wanting to stay connected to the game in a different way. It started pretty simply. I began helping coach my best friend’s younger brother, who, to be honest, was not very good at the time. But that quickly turned into organizing a small team, and before I knew it, I was leading a group of kids and coordinating practices, games, and even things like picture day at just 16 years old.
What really impacted me was the connection. Growing up in such a diverse environment, surrounded by kids from all backgrounds, I realized early on that basketball was a universal language. It allowed me to connect with people from different cultures and walks of life in a way that felt natural. Seeing those kids smile, grow, improve, and experience success together filled a void I did not even know I had.
That early experience shaped me in ways I did not fully understand at the time. It taught me leadership, communication, and organizational skills long before I knew what to call them. More importantly, it showed me the impact you can have on others just by showing up, investing in them, and creating a space where they feel seen and valued.
That is something that has stayed with me ever since, both in coaching and in life.
STS: How has your military experience influenced you as a coach?
Coach Melecio: The military has always been a part of who I am. My father is a retired Army veteran, and I have had several family members serve, so that foundation was instilled in me early. Naturally, I followed that path and joined the United States Air Force after high school.
Very early on, you are taught core values that carry over into every aspect of life, not just in the military, but in how you work, how you lead, and how you treat people. A couple of those values really show up in my coaching.
One of the biggest is Service Before Self. To me, that is the definition of being a true team player. It is about putting the team, the mission, and the people around you ahead of your own individual goals. That mindset translates directly into how I expect my players to show up for each other.
Another one is Integrity. That is something I talk about constantly, probably to the point where my players would say they have heard it a thousand times. Doing the right thing even when no one is watching is something I emphasize with my teams as well. I challenged our players this past season with that exact idea, when coaches are not around, are you still working, are you still pushing yourself, are you still holding yourself to a high standard?
Those principles have shaped how I coach. It is not just about basketball, it is about building habits, accountability, and character that carry far beyond the game.
STS: How has Soldiers To Sidelines impacted your life?
Coach Melecio: I am incredibly grateful to be connected with the Soldiers To Sidelines program. It truly feels like an extended family. One of the most meaningful parts of this journey has been reconnecting with one of my fellow service brothers who is part of the organization’s leadership. Being able to stay connected with him and see his continued growth, along with his family, has meant a lot to me.
Beyond that, the program has expanded that sense of brotherhood and sisterhood even further. Being surrounded by like-minded individuals who have all served, who share similar core values, and who are committed to making an impact through coaching, that is something special. These are some of the most genuine and purpose-driven people I have been around.
Soldiers To Sidelines has also provided valuable resources that have helped me grow as a coach. Through the program, I have earned certifications and gained access to tools, mentorship, and a network that continues to push me forward.
Overall, it has been an incredibly rewarding experience, both personally and professionally. I am truly grateful to be part of it and excited to continue growing with the organization and contributing to its mission.
STS: Describe a coaching interaction with a player, or group of players, that has a special place in your heart.
Coach Melecio: There are so many moments that stand out, but the ones that will always mean the most to me are the experiences I have had coaching my own children.
I have had the privilege of training and coaching them from a young age, and watching their growth, not just as athletes, but as people, has been incredibly special. Seeing them earn recognition like First Team All-League, All-Star honors, and opportunities to play at the next level is something I will always be proud of. And even for the one who stepped away from basketball, watching them continue to excel in other sports and grow into a high-level athlete and well-rounded individual means just as much.
Both of them are hardworking, talented, and have great hearts, and as a coach and a father, that is what matters most to me.
For me, being “Dad” and being “Coach” have always gone hand in hand. That connection is probably why coaching has always felt so natural in my life. They hold a special place in my heart not just because they are my kids, but because I have had a front-row seat to their journey, their growth, and who they are becoming.
And who knows, maybe one day they will return the favor and take care of their old man, because that tab is getting pretty high these days.
STS: What are your aspirations in coaching?
Coach Melecio: I would love to go as far as the good Lord will take me. Coaching and sports have been such a big part of my life that it truly does not feel like work. You hear people say, “If you do what you love, you will never work a day in your life,” and that is exactly how this feels for me.
I have been blessed to be around the game for so long and to build meaningful relationships with so many people along the way. That is what keeps me going, the impact, the connections, and the opportunity to continue growing.
Right now, as a varsity head coach, I am open to whatever opportunities may come next. I feel like I am still evolving as a leader, even at this stage of my life. My experiences, from military service to working in high-level federal leadership roles, have helped shape how I lead, communicate, and build culture, and I know there is still more growth ahead.
I am also grateful for Soldiers To Sidelines, as I see it as a platform that can help open doors and continue to develop me as a coach. Ultimately, I just want to reach my full potential, wherever that path leads, and continue making an impact through the game.
STS: What was the most difficult challenge you have experienced in coaching, and what have you learned from that experience?
Coach Melecio: One of the most difficult challenges I have faced in coaching was watching one of my own kids step away from basketball, a sport she was excelling in and had a very high ceiling.
She was thriving, earning recognition early, and had real potential at the next level. But along the way, there were challenges within the team environment, things that can happen in sports when competition, roles, and personalities are not handled the right way. Instead of being embraced, she faced adversity that made the experience less about the game and more about navigating situations off the court.
As a coach, I tried to manage it the right way. As a father, it was even harder. At some point, I had to step back and make a decision, not based on the game, but based on what was best for her as a person.
She ultimately shifted her focus to volleyball, and it turned out to be the right move. She found her passion again, excelled at a high level, and became one of the top players in her program.
What I learned from that experience is that, as much as we love the game, it can never come before the person. Our job as coaches, and as parents, is to support, guide, and protect the long-term well-being of our athletes, even when that means letting go of something we believe in.
It also reinforced for me the importance of culture. Talent is important, but environment matters just as much. Creating a space where players feel supported, valued, and able to grow is everything.
In the end, I am incredibly proud of her, not just for her success in another sport, but for having the strength to pivot, grow, and find her own path.
STS: Is there anything else you can share with us about your coaching story?
Coach Melecio: I am really excited for what is ahead. I am grateful for every opportunity I have had so far, and I am looking forward to the ones still to come.
Being connected with Soldiers To Sidelines has been a blessing. I truly believe it is going to help springboard me into the next chapter, and more importantly, it gives me the opportunity to help other service members, veterans, and their families find their own path in coaching, just like I did.
Coaching has always felt natural to me. Even in my federal career, I served as a leadership coach, helping current and future leaders grow and reach their potential. That has always been a part of who I am, helping people maximize what they are capable of, so continuing down this path just feels right.
I have always looked at life like a basketball game, it is broken down into four quarters. The first is your early years, the second is building and growing, the third is where you really start to hit your stride, and the fourth is about impact and legacy. Right now, I feel like I am entering that third quarter, and I am motivated, energized, and ready to make it count.
I am honored and grateful for the recognition as Soldier Coach of the Month. Truly blessed, and I am excited to keep going.
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