Polo Gutierrez re-joined the TMI community in January 2018 after serving as the Defensive Line Coach and Special Teams Coordinator for the University of the Incarnate Word during the fall of 2017. Gutierrez first became a part of TMI’s football program when he came on as the head coach during the 2016-2017 school year, during which he led the Panthers to a quarterfinals appearance.

Gutierrez’ previous experience includes five seasons serving as the Running Backs Coach at University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) from 2010 until 2016. In 2013, Gutierrez helped lead UTSA to a 7-5 overall record, including victories over a pair of bowl teams. The Roadrunners finished second in the West Division with a 6-2 mark in their first season in Conference USA. In 2012, he helped lead UTSA to an 8-4 overall record and a 3-3 mark in its first and only season in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC).

Before joining the UTSA Roadrunners, Gutierrez earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in history from New Mexico State University in 2009. While at New Mexico State, he worked as an assistant strength & conditioning coach. He also served as an assistant coach for the NFL Player Development Camps and was the head throws coach for AAU track & field.

A standout offensive lineman at New Mexico State, Gutierrez attended a tryout for the Buffalo Bills and played for the El Paso Generals of the Indoor Football League in 2009.

Gutierrez was a four-year starter for the Aggies from 2005-08. He began his senior season at right guard but switched to right tackle due to injuries along the offensive line. He finished his career by allowing just three sacks in three seasons.

He started all 13 games at right guard as a junior, helping the offense average 331.9 yards passing and 423.5 total yards (fifth NCAA) per contest. Gutierrez was a part of an offensive line that gave up just 24 sacks on the season.

As a sophomore, Gutierrez started every game at right guard. He helped New Mexico State establish 10 school records, including tying the single-season mark for scoring (374 points). New Mexico State finished third in the NCAA in total offense (475.2 ypg), second in passing offense (399.3 ypg) and 15th in scoring offense (31.2 ppg). The Aggies posted five 400-yard passing games, including three with 500 or more yards, and five 100-yard rushing contests.

He began his career with the Aggies as a defensive lineman, tallying 14 tackles as a freshman.

Gutierrez won numerous awards during his time in Las Cruces, including 2009 Lifter of the Year and 2007 Heavyweight Lifting Champion at the program's annual Night of Champions.

He was born in Laredo but grew up in Corpus Christi, where he was a three-year starter at Carroll High School. Gutierrez played center, guard and tackle and was an all-district selection as a senior. He also was a district champion and state qualifier in the shot put and discus and was named Tigers Athlete of the Year as a senior.