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Coach Awards & Recognition

  • Why We Recognize Coaches
  • USOPC Coach of the Year
  • Order of Ikkos
  • More Coaching Content

Why We Recognize Coaches #

Coaches are at the very heart of sport and sport experience. They play a vital role in shaping the lives of athletes, programs, and communities at every level. From Olympic and Paralympic leaders to youth volunteers, from service providers to coach educators, each coach brings a unique impact to the field. Coaches guide skill development, instill values, and create environments where athletes can thrive - whether on local fields, college campuses, or international stages.

Recognizing coaches across categories - including Developmental, Volunteer, College, Doc Counsilman Science & Innovation, and others - celebrates the full spectrum of their contributions. By honoring their dedication, innovation, and care, we elevate the profession and reinforce a positive, inclusive, and athlete-centered sport culture.

Thank you for being here to join us in celebrating these coaches, and coaches everywhere. Learn more about the recognition and award opportunities available to coaches through the USOPC, as well as view the honorees who have been recognized through these opportunities below.

Team USA head coach David Hoff leads an ice hockey training session at the National Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China, on March 3, 2022.

USOPC Coach of the Year #

Each year, the USOPC honors the best in coaching and high performance support as part of the USOPC Coach of the Year Recognition program. The finalists must be actively coaching or within one year of retirement to be eligible for the award.

Finalists are selected in the following categories:

  • Olympic Coach of the Year
  • Paralympic National Coach of the Year
  • Developmental Coach of the Year
  • Volunteer Coach of the Year
  • Doc Counsilman Science Award
  • Collegiate Coach of the Year
  • Service Provider of the Year
  • Coach Developer of the Year

An independent selection panel of coaching and sport education professionals selects national recipients in each category. The USOPC recognizes each NGB Coach of the Year with a unique award and all recipients are honored by the USOPC in late spring.

Read the full press release for 2024 Coach of the Year recipients HERE.

2024 USOPC Coach of the Year award recipients (Photo by USOPC)

Coach of the Year Award Recipients#

U.S. Olympian Mirai Nagasu presents coach Tom Zakrajsek with the Order of Ikkos medal at USA House during the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics on February 17, 2018, in Pyeongchang-gun, South Korea.

Order of Ikkos #

The Order of Ikkos was established to recognize the coaches whose athletes medal during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. This medal is inspired by Ikkos, the first recorded coach in Ancient Greece. He was known for his coaching ability as he led two fellow Tarentine athletes to gold in the same event, pentathlon. The USOPC established the Order of Ikkos prior to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and provides the opportunity for athletes to recognize their coaches for their leadership and inspiration to achieve world-class, podium performance.

The USOPC is proud to recognize the efforts of America’s finest coaches with the Order of Ikkos. The medallion is a symbol of excellence in coaching as represented by athletes’ achievement as an Olympic or Paralympic Medalist.

It is not tradition for the International Olympic Committee to recognize coaches for medal-winning performances at the Games. The USOPC’s Order of Ikkos allows for each U.S. Olympic or Paralympic medalist to acknowledge a coach for their leadership in achieving world-class success.

For more information and to view a complete list of past recipients, view the Order of Ikkos Honor Roll lists by Games below.

Team USA head coach Christina Schwab celebrates with player Natalie Schneider (#8) after winning the women’s wheelchair basketball quarterfinal against Great Britain at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

More Coaching Content#

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