Men's Soccer Named Coaching Staff of the Year
Marshall, Mo., (May 21, 2021)- After securing the program's first National championship earlier this month, the Missouri Valley College men's soccer coaching staff has been named the 2020-21 NAIA National Coaching Staff of the Year by United Soccer Coaches. Four men's soccer student-athletes were also named to the United Soccer Coaches' All-America Team.
Led by Head Coach Vladimir Simic, the Viking men's soccer coaching staff guided the team to a National championship, and an 18-4-2 overall record. Simic's staff includes Graduate Assistant Alex Cordon and Graduate Assistant Charley Dukes, both in their first year on staff. Missouri Valley Women's Soccer Head Coach Drew Hawkins assisted on the staff during the team's postseason run.
Simic completed his 19th season leading the men's soccer program, and has compiled an overall record of 223-106-33 during his tenure. This is the first National coaching award of his career. His staff was named the NAIA Regional Staff of the Year twice (2014, 2017), and he is a three-time winner of the Heart of America Athletic Conference Men's Soccer Coach of the Year award (2011, 2014, 2017).
"This is a tremendous honor for my staff," said Simic. "This was a difficult year to navigate as a staff with a split season and issues created by the pandemic. My staff worked extremely hard this season to make sure the team was ready for any challenge. I am proud of the work Alex, Charley and Drew put in this season, but this award also goes to all the assistants over the years that helped lay the groundwork for what we accomplished."
In addition to the coaching award, United Soccer Coaches also announced its 2020 NAIA Men's Soccer All-America Team. Senior Midfielder Luka Gluscevic (Belgrade, Serbia) was selected as a first team All-American, and was named the USC NAIA Men's Soccer Player of the Year. Sophomore Forward Kainan Dos Santos (Sao Paulo, Brazil) joined Gluscevic as a first team All-American. Senior Defender Gianmaroc Donnini (Florence, Italy) and Sophomore Midfielder Tom Preston (Blackpool, England) were selected as second team All-American.
About Missouri Valley College
Known for its dynamic, richly diverse, and friendly educational environment, Missouri Valley College offers many opportunities to grow in mind, body, and spirit. Grounded in the liberal arts, undergraduate studies empower students to master interdisciplinary skills needed to succeed in a knowledge-based global society. MVC offers over 30 academic programs, study abroad program, extracurricular activities, and a wide variety of sports. The most popular majors include education and business, criminal justice and exercise science. Above all, Valley is committed to student success. For more information, call (660) 831-4000 or visit www.moval.edu.