Meet Derek Mimbela: Texas Longhorns soccer equipment manager and stain killer extraordinaire

“Honestly, I weirdly love the challenge.”

Unlike most people, Derek Mimbela loves stains. Dirty marks, grassy streaks and speckled dots of mud are all to him what scoring goals are to Trinity Byars.

“When I see a stain, I’m like, 'heck yeah, they played hard,'” said Mimbela, speaking over the phone to The Striker Texas.

Mimbela is the graduate equipment manager for the University of Texas Longhorns soccer program, and a vital cog in the daily practice operations and match day procedure of the team.

How did Mimbela become the stain killer extraordinaire? It all started with his very first day of class on the forty-acres, and Dr. Matthew Bowers, a professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education.

“I went up and asked him what I should pursue if I wanted to start a career in sports. He said become a manager for a sport you love,” said Mimbela.

Texas soccer wasn’t hiring when Mimbela reached out as a plucky freshman in Austin. But he stayed in touch with director of operations Alex Kraus, and a couple of years later, Mimbela got his chance to try out by working at the team's 2018 summer camp.

By the spring of 2020, Mimbela was offered the position of graduate manager with the Longhorns’ first team. 

“I know, shocking to me, too,” joked Mimbela.

'Teddy Grahams and mandarins'

According to Mimbela, a typical day for an equipment manager means showing up at the stadium four hours before kickoff. A long list of duties await to be diligently ticked off from there.

For home matches, that can range from folding towels for both the home team and the visiting team, to making sure the home, away and officiating benches are spotless by closing time. When on the road, Mimbela insists it is about expecting the unexpected. 

“I pack up all the jerseys, jackets and equipment necessary for the away trip the day before. And then extras of everything, because things happen,” said Mimbela.

Once Mimbela has triple checked that everything has made its way to Waco, Stillwater, or wherever the game is, then it’s time to aid Kraus and the team in any way he can. That often means careful execution of game day cuisine. 

“I will help organize food orders to the girls or staff if they are to be delivered or picked up by us,” said Mimbela. “I will then organize the meeting room for a film session or eating meals. Also a grocery store run to get essentials like Teddy Grahams and mandarins.”

There is an eclectic nature to the tasks on deck for the graduate manager. One of the more dangerous responsibilities for Mimbela is setting up a tactical video camera for head coach Angela Kelly to be able to watch back the match from a more illuminating vantage point.

“I usually walk the away field the morning of a game, to get to know where the locker room, bench, and filming location will take place, said Mimbela. “I once had to film the game from a crazy spot, like a swaying scaffold or right next to Kansas/Iowa State fans,” said Mimbela.

As Mimbela rushes through his itinerary on any given match day, he is quick to point out that an important job is “hyping up any player you come across.” Speaking with Mimbela — and witnessing his social media presence — it’s impossible not to feel his warmth and morale-boosting appeal. 

Historic stains

After Mimbela discussed his enthusiasm for rejuvenating worn equipment back to an immaculate state, I had to inquire about whether a stain had ever got the better of him?

“I have to admit it. Somebody’s socks were ruined by that Jayhawk’s yellow beak,” responded Mimbela. “The University of Kansas has the Kansas Jayhawk painted on the center of the field and whatever they used in that yellow beak was extremely difficult to get out.

“I took a trip [with] Texas basketball and they shared their magic de-stainer. I scrubbed them and washed them five times, but I was still unsuccessful," he says. "The yellow set too quickly in a thicker sock and it was too hard to get it out."

Despite the treacherous nature of an all-white kit for an equipment manager, Mimbela was adamant that Texas’ 'icy white’ away uniform was still his favorite look for the Longhorns.

“When we are home and wear all burnt orange, they don’t stain nearly as badly. But the whites with the classic burnt orange Texas letters on the front... It’s such a clean look to me, and that’s why I’m always on a mission to keep those bad boys as clean as possible,” said Mimbela.

Throughout the 2021 season, Mimbela has been there bringing his best behind the scenes. In turn, the Longhorns have also broken new ground on the pitch. This year, Texas set a new school record of 14 matches without a loss and went to play in the Big 12 soccer tournament final for the first time since 2007.

Something suddenly struck me as I contemplated Mimbela’s work during this landmark season. As the team made history on the pitch, was Mimbela ever tempted to leave some of the equipment stained or broken to commemorate the moment?

“I haven’t preserved history. It does make me second guess why I haven’t done that over the four years,” laughed Mimbela. “I’m a perfectionist. I get it from my dad and I love that habit because he is such a hard and dedicated worker. He’s always had pride in his work and does the extra stuff for his boss anytime he can.

“It's something I’ve admired and tried to replicate for Texas soccer because I love my family. I love this team and would do anything for them.”