Mario Caetano | Head Coach
The 2023 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Women's Basketball Coach of the Year Mario Caetano enters his third season at the helm of the Grizzlies after being elevated from the assistant position.
Caetano led the Grizzlies to the RMAC Tournament Semifinals in 2022-23 after the Grizzlies finished 21-9 overall, tied for the third most wins in program history, tied for second in the NCAA Division II (1992-Present) Era.
During his stint as the interim head coach (21-22), Caetano led the Grizzlies to a top 8th finish in the RMAC, 12 wins overall, and 10 conference wins. The program has not reached those highs in over a decade.
Before coming to Adams State University, Caetano spent two years coaching with one of the nation’s top boys travel club programs, Vegas Elite Basketball Club (VEBC). VEBC competes in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL), which consists of some of the nation’s top high school players.
Caetano becomes a member of the Grizzly family after serving an eight-year stint at Northern New Mexico College. During his time at NMMC, Caetano served as the Men’s Associate Head Coach for the Eagles before taking over in December 2018 as the Head Coach for the women’s team.
During his time as the men’s coach, he helped NNMC to their first ever A-II Conference Championship and NAIA National Tournament appearance (2014-2015).
The Northern New Mexico College graduate earned his Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Studies with an emphasis in Humanities (2012). He then went on to complete his Master of Science degree in Recreation and Sports Sciences from Ohio University (2015).
Caetano is married to Shaniqua Caetano, together they have one son, Makai (7), their daughter, Mya (5 mo.) and their dog Rocket.
Stephanie Ruiz | Assistant Coach
Mario Caetano | Head Coach
Stephanie Ruiz | Assistant Coach