KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Washington University in St. Louis women's soccer head coach Jim Conlon and his staff of assistant coaches Brandon Santel and Amanda Kesler were named the 2024 Division III National Coaching Staff of the Year by United Soccer Coaches.
 
This marks the second time in Conlon's career that his coaching staff has earned the national honor, first receiving it in 2018.
 
It was a historic season for the Bears under Conlon's guidance, as they won the program's second national title, compiling a 23-0-2 for the program's first-ever season without a loss. WashU set several new program records: single-season wins (23), single-season winning percentage (.960), unbeaten streak with ties (25) and shutouts (18).
 
The Bears – who sat atop the national poll all season – allowed just one goal in all of postseason, starting with a 2-0 win over DePauw in the first round. They defeated Simpson 5-1 in the second round and moved on to beat Colby 1-0 in the Sweet 16. WashU topped UAA foe Chicago 1-0 in the Elite 8 to advance to the finals site in Las Vegas.
 
In the national semifinal against No. 2 Christopher Newport, the Bears netted three second-half goals to reach the national final for the second year in a row. WashU then put away three more second-half goals against No. 11 William Smith to win the crown.
 
All coaching awards are voted on by member coaches in their respective divisions, starting with Regional Staff of the Year. From there, each Regional Coaching Staff of the Year moves to the National Coaching Staff of the Year ballot along with staffs from those schools that reached the semifinals of their respective championships.
 
Conlon, Santel and Kesler will be honored at the United Soccer Coaches Convention, held in Chicago from January 8-12, 2025.