KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Fort Hays State Men's Soccer Coaching Staff has been named the Central Region Staff of the Year by United Soccer Coaches. This is the first time
Alex Nichols and his staff have been named the region staff of the year in just his second year guiding the program.
| United Soccer Coaches Regional Coaching Staffs of the Year - NCAA Division II Men |
| Category |
Division - Region |
School |
Head Coach |
| NCAA |
Division II - Atlantic |
University of Charleston |
Head Coach: Daniel Smee |
| NCAA |
Division II - Central |
Fort Hays State University |
Head Coach: Alex Nichols |
| NCAA |
Division II - East |
Bentley University |
Head Coach: Gary Crompton |
| NCAA |
Division II - Midwest |
Rockhurst University |
Head Coach: Tony Tocco |
| NCAA |
Division II - South |
Rollins College |
Head Coach: Keith Buckley |
| NCAA |
Division II - South Central |
Midwestern State University |
Head Coach: Michael Meachum |
| NCAA |
Division II - Southeast |
Anderson University (S.C.) |
Head Coach: Michael Zion |
| NCAA |
Division II - West |
California State University Stanislaus |
Head Coach: John Powell |
Joining Nichols on the sideline in 2025 were
Saad Mohacht, who assisted for a second season at FHSU, while
Felix Tellez Ramirez,
Marcos German, and
Jeremiah Johnson were all former players from Nichols' 2024 FHSU team who assisted for their first season.
Nichols and staff guided the Tigers to their best record in program history in 2025, finishing at 20-1-3 overall and made it to the national semifinals of the NCAA Tournament as the Super Region 3 champion. The Tigers kept the loss column clean through 23 matches to start the year, which was a new program record for longest unbeaten streak as they entered the national semifinals 20-0-3 overall. Nichols and staff led the Tigers to their first-ever undefeated regular season at 15-0-3 overall and maintained the undefeated record through the GAC/MIAA Tournament. It was the first year the Tigers won both the GAC/MIAA regular season title and GAC/MIAA Tournament title.
The Tigers reached the national semifinals for the second time in program history in 2025, matching the furthest advancement in the national tournament also accomplished by the 2018 team. However, the Tigers won their most NCAA Tournament games in a season this year, winning three matches in a row to claim the Super Region 3 title. The 20 wins was a new program record for most in a season as well, passing the old mark of 17 set by the 2018 team.
