Top Coaches in Club, High School, College Soccer Honored
In an exciting announcement from Kansas City, Mo., the United Soccer Coaches have revealed the 2024 National Staff and Coach of the Year recipients across various levels of soccer. These prestigious awards, voted on by the coaches in their respective divisions and levels, recognize the outstanding contributions and achievements of soccer coaches nationwide. The honored coaches and staffs will be celebrated at the United Soccer Coaches Awards Ceremony on January 10, 2025, at the Marriott Hotel in Chicago, Ill., in conjunction with the United Soccer Coaches Convention. This recognition is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion these coaches bring to the beautiful game.
High School Boys Coaching Excellence
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The high school boys’ category features exceptional coaches who have made significant impacts on their teams and communities.
The Large Public School Boys Coach of the Year is Michael Andreasen from Greely High School in Maine. His leadership has been instrumental in developing a strong soccer program that continues to thrive.
Small Public and Independent Schools
In the Small Public School Boys category, Bryan Daniel from Indian Hill High School in Ohio has been recognized for his outstanding coaching abilities.
Similarly, the Independent Boys Coach of the Year is Will Eudy from Cardinal Newman School in South Carolina, whose coaching prowess has led his team to remarkable success.
High School Girls Coaching Achievements
On the girls’ side, the Large Public School Girls Coach of the Year is John Wagner from Shawnee High School in New Jersey. Wagner’s dedication to his players and his strategic acumen have earned him this well-deserved honor.
Small Public and Independent Schools
Laurie Ann Updike-Kaup from Marcellus High School in New York has been named the Small Public School Girls Coach of the Year.
Her ability to inspire and lead her team has been nothing short of exceptional.
Additionally, the Independent Girls Coach of the Year is Sean Stedeford from Colorado Academy, recognized for his outstanding contributions to the sport.
High School Assistant Coach Recognition
The High School Assistant Coach of the Year award goes to Zuriel “Z” Lozano from Colorado Academy. Lozano’s support and expertise have been invaluable to the success of the team.
Youth/Club Soccer Coaching Excellence
In the youth/club soccer category, Maria Bartini from Apex Futbol Club in Bend, Oregon, has been honored for her exceptional coaching skills and dedication to developing young talent.
College Men’s Soccer Coaching Standouts
The college men’s soccer category features several distinguished coaches across different divisions.
In NCAA Division I, the Ohio State University coaching staff, led by Head Coach Brian Maisonneuve and assistants Travis Morris, Matt Foldesy, and Corey Bruggeman, has been recognized for their outstanding performance.
The University of Vermont’s coaching staff, led by Head Coach Rob Dow and assistants Brad Cole, Rory Twomey, and Brendan Pulley, also received accolades for their exceptional contributions.
NCAA Division II and III
In NCAA Division II, the coaching staff from Lynn University, led by Head Coach John Rootes and assistant Anthony Desperito, has been honored.
Similarly, in NCAA Division III, the Connecticut College coaching staff, led by Head Coach Reuben Burk and assistants Andrew Storton and Lee Elliott, along with the Amherst College coaching staff, led by Head Coach Justin Serpone and assistants Derek Shea, Alex Ortega, and Jeff Huffman, have been recognized for their excellence.
NAIA and Junior College
The NAIA Men’s Coach of the Year is Saif Alsafeer from Dalton State College, supported by assistants Tom Bentham, Alejandro Duero, and David Barrueta.
In the junior college categories, the coaching staffs from Iowa Western Community College, Northeast Community College, and Butte College have all been recognized for their outstanding contributions to the sport.
College Women’s Soccer Coaching Achievements
The college women’s soccer category also features exemplary coaches across different divisions.
In NCAA Division I, the University of North Carolina coaching staff, led by Head Coach Damon Nahas and assistants Chris Ducar and Tracey Bates Leone, has been honored for their exceptional performance.
In NCAA Division II, the Cal Poly Pomona coaching staff, led by Head Coach Jay Mason and assistants Dan Richards and Emilee Tominovich, has been recognized for their outstanding contributions.
NCAA Division III and NAIA
In NCAA Division III, the Washington University in St. Louis coaching staff, led by Head Coach Jim Conlon and assistants Brandon Santel, Katharine Zaber, and Amanda Kesler, has been honored.
The NAIA Women’s Coach of the Year is Rebecca Gunn from SCAD Savannah, supported by assistant Sinead Byrne.
Junior College
The junior college women’s categories feature exceptional coaching staffs as well. The Daytona State College coaching staff is led by Head Coach Hope Clark and assistant Liz Manner. They have been recognized for their achievements.
Additionally, the coaching staffs from Johnson County Community College and Delta College have been honored for their outstanding contributions to the sport.
For more details on the award recipients and their achievements, visit the official announcement on SoccerWire.