Velez comes to Kean after coaching stops at Madison High School, West Orange High School, and Glen Ridge High School. He coached on two Group 1 State Championship teams at Madison (2017) and Glen Ridge (2011) while capturing back-to-back Essex County Championships with Glen Ridge in 2011 & 2012.

A four-year member of the Kean University lacrosse program (2003-2007), Velez made two appearances in the ECAC Tournament and one in the Skyline Tournament.

He is currently a physical education teacher at the George Washington Carver Elementary School in Newark.

Velez earned his bachelor's degree in Physical Education and Health from Kean in 2007.