PCA Proudly Announces the 2026 Coach of the Year Finalists, Presented by TeamSnap

At Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA), we believe in a simple but powerful vision: a world where every young person, no matter their background or circumstances, has access to a positive youth sports experience. One led by a coach who not only teaches the game, but inspires confidence, character, and growth that lasts far beyond the final whistle.

That vision comes to life through coaches like the ones we’re honoring today.

This year, we set out to recognize 25 outstanding coaches, but the impact was simply too great to limit. After reviewing nearing 250 submissions from across the country, we are proud to celebrate 28 exceptional coaches who exemplify what it means to lead with purpose, empathy, and integrity. And truthfully, nearly all of the almost 250 coaches nominated from across the country could have moved forward. The level of dedication, mentorship, and heart displayed in these nominations was nothing short of inspiring.

Each of these coaches has made a meaningful difference, not just in the lives of their athletes, but in their schools, teams, and communities. They show up. They invest. They teach life lessons through sport. And for that, we say thank you.

We’re also deeply grateful to everyone who took the time to submit a nomination and provide references, including athletes, parents, administrators, and supporters alike. Your stories highlighted coaches who mentor, teach, encourage, inspire, and genuinely care for the young people they serve.

To all coaches working every day to create a positive, inclusive, and empowering youth sports experience, thank you for being the reason sports can be such a powerful force for good.

Coaches are listed alphabetically by last name.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Agbegnigan	Amouzou	White Oak	Maryland	Elite Soccer Youth Development Academy (ESYDA)	Soccer
Anjelica	Andal	Las Vegas	Nevada	Girls Youth Basektball (GYB)	Basketball
Johnnie	Berry	Kalamazoo	Michigan	Kalamazoo PAL (Police Athletic League)	Multi-sport
Greg	Brandes	Rochester	New York	Upstate NY Diving	Swimming/Diving
Corey	Brown	Tampa	Florida	Palma Ceia Pirates (PCLL)	Baseball, Football/Flag Football
Jennifer	Brown	Atlanta	Georgia	Mount Vernon School	Cross Country/Track & Field
Cristian “Cris”	Castaneda	Wichita	Kansas	Underground FC	Soccer
Kenny	Comeau	McLaughlin	South Dakota	McLaughlin High School	Football/Flag Football
Mark	Daniel	Saint Thomas	VI	In the Zone Athletic Club	Volleyball
Miguel	De La Cruz	Boston	Massachusetts	Red Sox Foundation Nike RBI Program	Baseball
Steve	Driscoll	La Grange	Illinois	William F. Gurrie Middle School	Cross Country/Track & Field
Cindy	Farmer	Hardin	Montana	Hardin High School	Cross Country/Track & Field
Wendell	Fields	Cleveland	Ohio	B Buzz Baseball League	Baseball
Ashley	Fischer	Levittown	Pennsylvania	Hulmeville Soccer Club	Soccer
Josh	Ford	Carmichael	California	Jesuit High School	Water Polo
Antonio	Gomez	Elizabeth City	North Carolina	Carolina United Soccer Association	Soccer
William (BJ)	Ivey	Sarasota	Florida	Sarasota High School	Basketball
Myles	Johnson	Idalia	Colorado	Idalia School	Basketball
Matthew	Lee	Sussex	Wisconsin	JK Lee Taekwondo- Lake Country	Martial Arts
Justin	Luthey	La Canada	California	La Canada Wrestling Team	Wrestling
Sebastian	Rosa-Mulero	Brandon	Florida	West Florida Flames	Soccer
Sarah	Stanczyk	Mountain View/Los Altos	California	Mountain View Los Altos Soccer Club	Soccer
Sierra	Steele	Washington	D.C.	Royal Tigerettes Dance Team	Cheer/Dance
Liz	Stieg	Pittsburgh	Pennsylvania	Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania	Basketball, Soccer, Bocce Ball
Jonquil	Vann	Portland	Oregon	Roosevelt High School	Cross Country/Track & Field
Dony	Wilcher	Portland	Oregon	Youth United, PNW	Basketball
Chris	Williams	Oakland	California	Oakland Unity Middle School	Multi-sport
Gyongyi	Zsolnay	Daytona Beach	Florida	DME Academy	Basketball

In the weeks ahead, our selection committee will narrow the field to 10 National Winners, each of whom will receive a $500 award along with recognition across PCA’s website, newsletters, and social media channels.

From that group, one PCA Coach of the Year presented by TeamSnap, will be selected in February and invited to join us at PCA’s annual Game Changer Awards & Benefit in San Francisco in March 2026.

All finalists will also receive complimentary access to PCA’s online coach course. We will follow up soon with instructions on how to access this content. To explore additional PCA online courses, please click here.

Thank you again to everyone who took the time to nominate a coach and recognize the dedication, leadership, and commitment they bring to youth athletes across the country. If your coach was not selected as a finalist this year, we encourage you to nominate them again next year. You can sign up here to receive a reminder when nominations open.