Columbus’ Thews, True North’s Losada: Dade Boys’ Volleyball Coaches of the Year
It’s been quite the journey together in volleyball for Jonathan Losada and Daniel Thews.
In high school, they played volleyball together at SLAM Miami Academy where Losada mentored Thews on the ins and outs of the game.
Losada and Thews later became coaches, working first together, and later at separate schools when Thews became the head coach at Columbus and Losada became head coach at True North Classical Academy.
While both set goals for their respective programs, neither could have dreamed they would achieve them in the same season…and on the same day.
May 16, 2026 will be a date both Thews and Losada will never forget as it was the day they led their respective schools to their first state championships.
And so, Thews and Losada are the Miami Herald’s Boys’ Volleyball Co-Coaches of the Year.
Thews opened that day, leading the Explorers to a dominant sweep of Winter Garden Horizon in the Class 3A state final. Later that afternoon, True North battled through a gritty, five-set win over Tampa SLAM Academy to win the Class 1A crown.
“It was just a crazy feeling,” Losada said. “All of our teammates at SLAM were hitting us up to congratulate us.”
Losada started his high school career at Coral Gables High before transferring to SLAM Miami where he met Thews, who wasn’t playing at the time. Losada said he taught him the game and quickly Thews became a solid player himself.
Both were destined to become leaders on the sidelines after their playing days.
They ended up coaching together, first at St. Brendan, and later at True North. Thews eventually left the Titans when he was hired at Columbus.
Thews gradually turned the Explorers from just a playoff contender to a state powerhouse. After coming painfully short in the regional finals a year ago, Columbus overcame longtime obstacle Southwest Miami and cruised to the 3A title with two sweeps at the state final four.
Losada remained at True North, and guided a younger program to similar success. After last season, the state expanded boys’ volleyball from one to three classifications, The Titans broke through to the state final four for the first time.
This season, True North played some of the state’s best during the season to prepare it for its run to its first state title.
