De La Garza Announces Retirement After 41-Year Coaching Career
Aug 04, 2025 | Track and Field
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION – Track & field assistant coach and Texas A&M Athletics Hall of Famer Juan "Chico" De La Garza has retired after 34 seasons leading the Aggies' decorated throws group, head coach Pat Henry announced Monday.
"Coach Juan De La Garza has decided to retire after a decorated coaching career," Coach Henry said. "He is a close friend and has been an assistant coach of mine for the last 27 years. He gave 34 years of service to Texas A&M as a coach and another couple as an athlete. I lose the best throws coach in the country but will never lose him as a friend. Juan has not only been an integral part of our programs success in bringing 10 NCAA Championships to Aggieland, but also in helping develop our athletes into great men and women. Juan will be greatly missed and is a true example of what you hope all Aggie athletes aspire to be. My hope is that Chico has a long and happy retirement."
De La Garza concludes his 41-year coaching career and 34th year leading the Maroon & White's throws group, following the Aggies' 10th NCAA team title. He has been a member of Coach Henry's staff at all three of his coaching roles including Blinn Junior College, LSU and finally Texas A&M. During his time with the Aggies, he has produced eight national champions and 28 conference champions, all of which played key parts in the Maroon & White's 10 NCAA team titles and 18 conference team championships. De La Garza's athletes' names are all over the Aggie record books, as his group holds nine of the 12 school records in throwing events.
He also helped athletes reach the pinnacle of sport with four athletes representing their respective countries at the Olympics. Most recently, Maggie Malone '16 who made her third Olympic appearance at the Paris Games in the women's Javelin representing the United States.
Prior to his coaching days, De La Garza transferred to Texas A&M as a student-athlete for his junior year after winning the national junior college title at Wharton JC in 1982 and followed that up by being named an All-American in the javelin in 1983 representing the Maroon & White. Standing out on the international stage, he was a two-time Olympic qualifier for Mexico and placed 14th in the javelin at the 1984 Games. He also was named to five World Championship teams, competing in 1987, 1991, 1993, 1995 and 1997. He won a bronze medal at the 1987 Pan American Games and won the Mexican national javelin championship 22 times. De La Garza owns the Mexican national record in the event at 260-6 and is the Texas A&M record holder (268-2 with the old implement). His standout career as both an athlete and coach earned him a selection into the Texas A&M Athletics Hall of Fame, where he was inducted in 2012.
"My journey from a farm in Mexico to becoming an athlete and coach at Texas A&M has been incredible," De la Garza said. "I've made so many memories here and I'm proud to say I always held myself and my athletes to the highest standard of discipline, integrity and character. It's been a privilege to spend the last 34 years of my coaching career here in Aggieland."
Keeping family close, De La Garza was able to coach both of his daughters at Texas A&M, as Victoria was a member of the track & field team from 2020-24 and Ana recently completed her junior year this season.
To learn more about Texas A&M Track & Field/Cross Country, visit 12thMan.com and follow @aggietfxc.
"Coach Juan De La Garza has decided to retire after a decorated coaching career," Coach Henry said. "He is a close friend and has been an assistant coach of mine for the last 27 years. He gave 34 years of service to Texas A&M as a coach and another couple as an athlete. I lose the best throws coach in the country but will never lose him as a friend. Juan has not only been an integral part of our programs success in bringing 10 NCAA Championships to Aggieland, but also in helping develop our athletes into great men and women. Juan will be greatly missed and is a true example of what you hope all Aggie athletes aspire to be. My hope is that Chico has a long and happy retirement."
De La Garza concludes his 41-year coaching career and 34th year leading the Maroon & White's throws group, following the Aggies' 10th NCAA team title. He has been a member of Coach Henry's staff at all three of his coaching roles including Blinn Junior College, LSU and finally Texas A&M. During his time with the Aggies, he has produced eight national champions and 28 conference champions, all of which played key parts in the Maroon & White's 10 NCAA team titles and 18 conference team championships. De La Garza's athletes' names are all over the Aggie record books, as his group holds nine of the 12 school records in throwing events.
He also helped athletes reach the pinnacle of sport with four athletes representing their respective countries at the Olympics. Most recently, Maggie Malone '16 who made her third Olympic appearance at the Paris Games in the women's Javelin representing the United States.
Prior to his coaching days, De La Garza transferred to Texas A&M as a student-athlete for his junior year after winning the national junior college title at Wharton JC in 1982 and followed that up by being named an All-American in the javelin in 1983 representing the Maroon & White. Standing out on the international stage, he was a two-time Olympic qualifier for Mexico and placed 14th in the javelin at the 1984 Games. He also was named to five World Championship teams, competing in 1987, 1991, 1993, 1995 and 1997. He won a bronze medal at the 1987 Pan American Games and won the Mexican national javelin championship 22 times. De La Garza owns the Mexican national record in the event at 260-6 and is the Texas A&M record holder (268-2 with the old implement). His standout career as both an athlete and coach earned him a selection into the Texas A&M Athletics Hall of Fame, where he was inducted in 2012.
"My journey from a farm in Mexico to becoming an athlete and coach at Texas A&M has been incredible," De la Garza said. "I've made so many memories here and I'm proud to say I always held myself and my athletes to the highest standard of discipline, integrity and character. It's been a privilege to spend the last 34 years of my coaching career here in Aggieland."
Keeping family close, De La Garza was able to coach both of his daughters at Texas A&M, as Victoria was a member of the track & field team from 2020-24 and Ana recently completed her junior year this season.
To learn more about Texas A&M Track & Field/Cross Country, visit 12thMan.com and follow @aggietfxc.
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