Coach Nanez enters his ninth year at John Paul II High School after an accomplished career spanning more than three decades in education and coaching. He retired from public education in 2018 following 26 years of service, including 16 years at Rowlett High School, where he established the school's Cross Country program in 1999.
During his tenure at Rowlett, Coach Nanez built one of the state's premier cross country programs. His teams captured 14 district championships (eight boys and six girls) in just 15 seasons, and he coached a UIL State Cross Country Meet qualifier in 2010. He also served as Head Boys Track & Field Coach from 2001–2014, leading the Eagles to back-to-back UIL State Track & Field Championships in 2008 and 2009.
From 2014–2018, Coach Nanez continued his success at North Mesquite High School, where he coached two boys to qualify for the UIL State Cross Country Meet in 2017.
Throughout his career, Coach Nanez has coached three Olympians: Diana Pickler (Heptathlon, 2008 Beijing Olympics), Marquise Goodwin (Long Jump, 2012 London Olympics), and Kyle Clemons (2016 Rio Olympics), who earned a gold medal as part of Team USA's 4x400-meter relay. In addition, he has coached nine state champions, 12 state medalists, and 15 UIL State Track & Field qualifiers.
Since joining John Paul II High School, Coach Nanez has continued to build a championship tradition. His boys cross country teams have won seven district championships in eight seasons and earned a fifth-place finish at the TAPPS State Cross Country Meet in 2023. The girls program has finished as TAPPS state runner-up four consecutive years, highlighted by a fourth-place team finish at the 2023 TAPPS State Cross Country Meet.
Away from the course and track, Coach Nanez has been married to his wife, Cara, for 39 years. They have two children, Nick and Rachel. Nick and his wife, Natalie, live in Houston, where Nick serves as a teacher and coach at Aldine Nimitz High School. Rachel is a Mary Kay Consultant and, along with her husband, Steven, is the proud parent of two children, Arya Rose and Rowan.
