KANSAS CITY, Mo. - After outstanding seasons the Amherst and Conn. College men's soccer coaching staffs share the United Soccer Coaches (USC) NCAA Division III National Coaching Staff of the Year honor. Amherst head coach Justin Serpone with his staff of Derek Shea, Alex Ortega, and Jeff Huffman and Conn. College head coach Reuben Burk and his staff of Andrew Storton and Lee Elliott were all recognized. The two teams squared off in the NCAA Division III National Championship game with the Mammoths securing the title in a penalty kick shootout (4-3).
The association announced all of the 2024 National Staff and Coach of the Year recipients for senior and junior college, high school, and youth/club soccer. All awards were voted on by the coaches in their respective divisions and levels. Each Regional Staff of the Year appeared on the ballot for National Staff of the Year, along with the addition of staffs from all schools which reached the semifinals of their respective championship.
Finishing the 2024 season with a record of 16-2-4 and the top spot in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 Poll, Amherst advanced to the NCAA Championship Game for the fourth time in the last five years and won its second title in program history. Amherst's first national title came in 2015 under Serpone's direction and the coaching staff won its first National Coaching Staff of the Year award that season.
Under Serpone's tutelage the Mammoths have won seven NESCAC titles and made 16 NCAA Tournament appearances. Serpone's career record stands at 264-38-48 (.823) following the conclusion of the 2024 season.
The recognition marks the second time in four seasons that Burk and company have earned the honor (2021). They led Conn. to a historic season that included a national runner-up finish and the program's first-ever NESCAC title. The Camels (14-3-7 overall) finished the season ranked No. 2 in the final USC Top 25 Poll.
Burk has led the Camels to new heights in his six seasons as head coach. He has produced the first national championship (2021), first NESCAC Championship (2024), and first unbeaten regular season (2023) in program history. Conn. College has earned four NCAA berths during his tenure, which includes four Elite Eight trips and two title game appearances.
The Amherst and Conn. College coaching staffs will be honored at the United Soccer Coaches Awards Ceremony on Jan. 10, 2025, at the Marriott Hotel in Chicago, Ill. in conjunction with the United Soccer Coaches Convention.
The 2024 season marks the seventh time in the last 10 seasons coaching staffs from the NESCAC has been honored. NESCAC coaches have earned the honor 12 times overall since 1987.
NESCAC United Soccer Coaches Coaching Staff of the Year
2024 - Amherst (Justin Serpone) & Conn. College (Reuben Burk)
2021 - Conn. College (Reuben Burk)
2019 - Tufts (Josh Shapiro)
2018 - Tufts (Josh Shapiro)
2016 - Tufts (Josh Shapiro)
2015 - Amherst (Justin Serpone)
2014 - Tufts (Josh Shapiro)
2007 - Middlebury (David Saward)
1995 - Williams (Michael Russo)
1993 - Williams (Michael Russo)
1988 - Williams (Michael Russo)
1987 - Williams (Michael Russo)
