Guiding the Georgia Gwinnett College men's soccer team to its first conference title since 2019 and a quarterfinal round appearance has earned the Grizzlies' coaching staff recognition as the NAIA East Region Staff of the Year, announced by United Soccer Coaches organization.

Head Coach Steve DeCou and assistant coaches Tom Bentham, Jorge Vallejo, and Bryan Sanchez led GGC to a 13-3-4 record during the 2025 campaign.

The staff is now for consideration for the national award and further recognition at the United Soccer Coaches Convention in Philadelphia on January 15, 2026.

The Grizzlies advanced to the NAIA Final Site for the first time since 2022 by defeating the University of Rio Grande (Ohio) in a penalty kick shootout during the second round of the national tournament. GGC then defeated Cumberland University (Tennessee) 2-1 in a Group of 16 match to advance to the quarterfinal round – matching the program's deepest postseason run.

DeCou was named the 2025 Continental Athletic Conference Coach of the Year and has a 166-63-30 record in 14 seasons as GGC's head coach. This year's team defeated Bellevue University (Nebraska) 3-0 to win the program's sixth conference title.