NHSSCA Regional Coach of the Year
Great Coaching. Regional Impact.
Celebrating the high school strength and conditioning coaches whose leadership and dedication elevate student-athletes, strengthen schools, and advance the profession across eight NHSSCA regions.
Eight Regions. One Commitment to Coaching Excellence.
Regional Coach of the Year Recognition
Eight Regions. One Commitment.
Coaching excellence reaches far beyond one school, one district, or one state. The NHSSCA Regional Coach of the Year program celebrates outstanding coaches whose influence strengthens high school strength and conditioning throughout their region.
Eight Regions. Eight Opportunities to Recognize Excellence.
Each year, the NHSSCA recognizes exceptional high school strength and conditioning coaches across eight geographic regions. Regional Coach of the Year honors acknowledge leadership, professional service, and a lasting commitment to student-athletes and school communities.
The Eight NHSSCA Regions
Regional Recognition Across the Nation
Southwest
Rocky Mountain
Pacific
Northwest
Mid-America
Great Lakes
Northeast
One Connected Recognition Process
One Nomination. Three Levels of Recognition.
Regional Coach of the Year is part of the NHSSCA's unified Coach of the Year recognition program. A single nomination begins consideration for National, Regional, and State honors. Following National selection, remaining eligible candidates are considered for Regional Coach of the Year recognition, with subsequent consideration for State honors.
2026 Regional Coach of the Year
Eight Regions. Eight Exceptional Coaches.
The NHSSCA proudly recognizes the 2026 Regional Coaches of the Year. These eight professionals represent coaching excellence across the country through their dedication to student-athletes, their school communities, and the profession.
Meet the 2026 Regional Honorees
Class of 2026Region 01
Southeast
2026 Regional Honoree
Jon Hersel
Saraland High School
Alabama
Region 02
Southwest
2026 Regional Honoree
Elton Crochran
Veterans Memorial High School
Texas
Region 03
Rocky Mountain
2026 Regional Honoree
Chris Bishop
Campo Verde High School
Arizona
Region 04
Pacific
2026 Regional Honoree
Bubba Reynolds
Orange Lutheran High School
California
Region 05
Northwest
2026 Regional Honoree
Tim Peterson
Redmond High School
Oregon
Region 06
Mid-America
2026 Regional Honoree
Jessica Gust
St. Louis Park High School
Minnesota
Region 07
Great Lakes
2026 Regional Honoree
Logan Neff
Indian Hill High School
Ohio
Region 08
Northeast
2026 Regional Honoree
Chase Nunley
Abingdon High School
Virginia
Different Schools. Different Regions. One Shared Standard of Coaching Excellence.
Regional Coaching Excellence Through the Years
A History of Leadership. A Legacy of Excellence.
Every region has coaches who leave a lasting mark on their student-athletes, schools, and communities. Explore the NHSSCA Regional Coaches of the Year from 2018 through 2026, organized by region.
Select a region to explore its honorees.
8 Regions / 2018–2026
01 Southeast 2026: Jon Hersel · Historical honorees
Southeast Regional Honorees
2018–2026
2026
Jon Hersel Saraland High School (AL)
2025
Pete Tongren Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School (GA)
2024
Andrew Rafferty Clinton High School (MS)
2023
Kyle Feldman Father Ryan High School (TN)
2022
Brandon Herring Hewitt-Trussville High School (AL)
2021
Micah Kurtz Windermere Prep (FL)
2020
Mark Hoover IYCA, USAW, York HS (SC)
2019
Nick Ficker CSCS, Ashville Christian HS (NC)
2018
Rich Lansky CSCS, Manatee HS (FL)
02 Southwest 2026: Elton Crochran · Historical honorees
Southwest Regional Honorees
2018–2026
2026
Elton Crochran Veterans Memorial High School (TX)
2025
Josh Brewer Mustang High School (OK)
2024
John Simmons Marion High School (AR)
2023
Price Holmes Batesville High School (AR)
2022
Alan Abel Crawford High School (TX)
2021
Deerick B Smith Southside School District (AR)
2020
David Neill CSCS, SCCC, USAW, Liberty Christian (TX)
2019
Kyle Keese CSCS, USAW, Denton Guyer HS (TX)
2018
Monte Sparkman CSCS, USAW, USATF, Richland HS (TX)
03 Rocky Mountain 2026: Chris Bishop · Historical honorees
Rocky Mountain Regional Honorees
2018–2026
2026
Chris Bishop Campo Verde High School (AZ)
2025
Austin Drefs Alamogordo High School (NM)
2024
Ben Brandau Crismon High School (AZ)
2023
Nick Cornell Campo Verde High School (AZ)
2022
Skyler Miller Hurricane High School (UT)
2021
Jeff Decker Mountain Pointe HS (AZ)
2020
Mark Carnes ThunderRidge HS (CO)
2019
Clay Bewley CSCS, USAW, Extrella Foothills HS (AZ)
2018
Patrick Nolan CSCS, Ponderosa HS (CO)
04 Pacific 2026: Bubba Reynolds · Historical honorees
Pacific Regional Honorees
2018–2026
2026
Bubba Reynolds Orange Lutheran High School (CA)
2025
Chris Doukakis Edward C. Reed High School (NV)
2024
Andrew Wun Saint Francis High School (CA)
2023
Colin Shumante Crean Lutheran High School (CA)
2022
Jay Nacionales Jesuit High School (CA)
2021
Nick Garcia Notre Dame HS (CA)
2020
Dan Berman CSCS, St Margaret’s (CA)
2019
Ka’ai Spencer CSCS, USAW, Hawaii Prep (HI)
2018
Mark Wine CSCS, USAW, De La Salle HS (CA)
05 Northwest 2026: Tim Peterson · Historical honorees
Northwest Regional Honorees
2018–2026
2026
Tim Peterson Redmond High School (OR)
2025
Christi Smith-Ryan Central Catholic High School (OR)
2024
Jordan James Archbishop Murphy (OR)
2023
Rob Kassebaum Stayton High School (OR)
2022
Josh Bravo Kuna High School (ID)
2021
Paxton P Paynter O’Dea HS (WA)
2020
Josh Fagan CSCS, Eagle Point (OR)
2019
Tim Souza MS, CSCS, USAW, ASPC, Kuna HS (ID)
2018
Travis Osborne CSCS, FMS, North Valley HS (OR)
06 Mid-America 2026: Jessica Gust · Historical honorees
Mid-America Regional Honorees
2018–2026
2026
Jessica Gust St. Louis Park High School (MN)
2025
Nick Crouse Springfield Platteview High School (NE)
2024
Preston Pedersen Mt Vernon HS (IA)
2023
Corey Roy Ozark Schools (MO)
2022
Amber Burson Lexington High School (NE)
2021
Tony Stewart North Scott HS (IA)
2020
Scott Meier Farmington HS (MN)
2019
Rob Brokaw CSCS, USAW, North Bend HS (NE)
2018
Stewart Venable CSCS, Lincoln HS (NE)
07 Great Lakes 2026: Logan Neff · Historical honorees
Great Lakes Regional Honorees
2018–2026
2026
Logan Neff Indian Hill High School (OH)
2025
Joe Chiramonte Byron Center High School (MI)
2024
John Beerbower McHenry High School (IL)
2023
Matt Cates Penn High School (IN)
2022
Mike Crissinger Perry High School (OH)
2021
Rich Kirby Ludington High School (MI)
2021
Adam Lane Decatur Central (IN)
2020
Doug Gle CSCS, Traverse City (MI)
2019
Mike Winkler MS, CSCS, RSCC, Archbishop Hoban (OH)
2018
Mike Snyder CSCS, Pn1, Trinity HS (KY)
08 Northeast 2026: Chase Nunley · Historical honorees
Northeast Regional Honorees
2018–2026
2026
Chase Nunley Abingdon High School (VA)
2025
Zach Even-Esh Middletown South High School (NJ)
2024
John Martin Queensbury HS (NY)
2023
John Estok William Penn Charter School (PA)
2022
Marty Klingelhofer The Landon School (MD)
2021
Michelle Hart-Miller Londonderry HS (NH)
2020
Paul Kolody ATC, CSCS, USAW, Hunterndon Central (NJ)
2019
Frank Cremonese CSCS, PES, Mt. Lebanon HS (PA)
2018
Kevin O’Neill CSCS, USAW, Noble & Greenough HS (MA)
National Coach of the Year Recognition
Explore the National Honorees.
Regional Coach of the Year is one part of the NHSSCA's connected recognition program. Discover the coaches who have earned the association's National Coach of the Year honor.
Help Recognize Coaching Excellence
Great Coaches Deserve To Be Recognized.
Behind every outstanding strength and conditioning program is a coach whose commitment makes a lasting difference. If you know someone whose leadership, dedication, and service deserve recognition, help us celebrate their impact.
Review Nomination Requirements
Professional Membership is required to submit a Coach of the Year nomination.
One Connected Recognition Process
One Nomination. Three Levels of Recognition.
A single Coach of the Year nomination initiates consideration for National, Regional, and State recognition. Separate Regional nominations are not required.
Regional Coach of the Year Contact
Garrett Keith
Questions about Regional Coach of the Year recognition, eligibility, or the selection process? Garrett Keith is the designated NHSSCA Regional Coach of the Year point of contact.
Eight Regions. Countless Contributions. One Commitment to Coaching Excellence.