KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Rogers State men's soccer coaching staff has been named the 2020-21 NCAA Division II Men's Central Region Coaching Staff of the Year, announced the United Soccer Coaches organization Thursday morning.
The honor is the first for head coach
Derek Larkin, along with his coaching staff that includes, assistant coaches
Jake Simpson and
Bryan Weygand, along with volunteer assistant
Brandon Stone.
The Hillcat coaching staff guided the Hillcats to a championship double in the spring of 2021, as the Hillcats claimed the Great American Conference Regular Season and Tournament Championship trophies after an undefeated season.
Rogers State men's soccer climbed as high as, and finished as, the No. 8 team in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 poll, as the Hillcats claimed back-to-back GAC Tournament Championships.
The Hillcats closed the season with an unbeaten run that stretches 10 games, going 7-0-3 during the span. Larkin and his staff have guided the Hillcats to a 12-1-3 record in the last 16 games overall.
By winning the regional coaching staff of the year honor, the Rogers State men's soccer coaching staff will now be eligible for the National Coaching Staff of the Year, which will be announced on May 20
th.