Kansas City, Mo. - After leading the program to their third straight Heart Tourament title and fourth consecutive regular season championship, the Central Methodist men's soccer coaching staff was named the NAIA Midwest Regional Coaching Staff of the Year by the United Soccer Coaches Association. 

Each of the 30 staffs receiving Regional Staff of the Year honors will be recognized at the College Coaches Awards Ceremony at the United Soccer Coaches Convention on Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022.

In addition, the Regional Staff of the Year recipients have been placed on the ballot for United Soccer Coaches National Staff of the Year consideration within their respective division.

The Eagles are led by eighth year head coach Alex Nichols. Nichols has led the program to unprecendented heights, including four Heart Regular Season Titles, three Heart Tournament Championships, four-straight trips to the national tournament, and two NAIA National titles. 

Nichols is assisted by Eli Sherman, Jack Rose, Jasper Krasensky and Adrian Guitierrez Llorente. 

Cental currently boasts a 21-0 overall record including a perfect 12-0 mark in conference action. The Eagles rolled through the Heart Tournament en-route to a 2-0 shut out victory over defending NAIA National Champion Missouri Valley College in the title game on Nov. 12. 

Nichols and his staff have led CMU to four consecutive 20-plus wins seasons, including 41 straight Heart regular season-conference matches, remaining undefeated in their last 48. The Eagles' last defeat to a conference opponent in the regular season came on Sept. 26, 2018. 

Central looks to make a run at its third-straight national title in the last four years, beginning with a matchup against Heart rival MidAmerica Nazarene Thursday, Dec. 2 at 1:00 p.m. in the NAIA National Quarterfinals in Decatur, Ala. 

To view the full list of NAIA Regional Staff of the Year recipients, please click here. 

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