Coach Danny “Slim” Arguello made history in August 2025 as the first Nicaraguan American college basketball coach in the United States, joining Florida National University’s women’s basketball staff as an assistant.
Arguello began his coaching career in 2011 as the boys’ junior varsity basketball coach and varsity assistant for his alma mater, Mater Academy Charter High School. Notably, he led his JV team to the 2012 Junior Orange Bowl Classic Championship. From 2014–2016, he played a key role in guiding the varsity program to its first three district championships in program history.
In 2017, Arguello took over the girls’ varsity basketball program at Mater Academy, leading the team to three consecutive district titles and the school’s first regional semifinal appearance.
Since 2019, he’s served as the head girls’ basketball coach at Immaculata-La Salle High School, compiling a 72–56 record and earning the school’s only two district playoff victories in the past decade.
Overall, his coaching record on the girls’ varsity level stands at 116–90 over nine seasons.
On the travel circuit, Arguello has coached elite programs, including Premier Global 17U (2017–2018), Miami Basketball Academy 17U (2019) and Moolah Kicks–sponsored Boca Thunder 17U (2021). Across those teams, nearly 20 athletes have gone on to play college basketball — including Conquistadors Kaylee Llanos, Valeria Castro, Madison Betancourt, and Ziul Gonzalez.
In 2020, Arguello founded Renaissance Basketball Academy, where he trained players who are competing professionally in Spain, France, Germany, and Italy, as well as in NCAA Division I programs such as the University of Georgia, Northern Arizona University, and Florida International University.
A former men’s basketball player at Tennessee Temple University (2008–2009), Arguello earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from FIU and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Grand Canyon University. A proud Mater Academy alumnus, he was a three-sport athlete and a 2009 Wendy’s High School Heisman nominee.
