Led expansion side to historic first campaign, setting multiple single-season records on way to second-place finish
TAMPA, Fla. – The Gainbridge Super League announced today that Sporting Club Jacksonville’s Stacey Balaam had been voted the 2025/26 Coach of the Year after guiding the expansion side to a historic regular season that saw Jacksonville set numerous Super League single-season records.
Appointed as the first Head Coach in Sporting JAX’s history in April, 2025 having previously served as an associate Head Coach at Vanderbilt University, Balaam quickly put her imprint on the first-year club. She led Jacksonville to its first win in club history in its second outing, defeating defending Super League titleholder Tampa Bay Sun FC, and then led the side on a run of one defeat in 11 games to conclude the fall schedule to Sporting JAX firmly in contention for the postseason at the winter break.
“There are a lot of people behind this recognition,” said Balaam. “Firstly this is a reflection of what the player’s have done throughout the season. Their coachability, their receptiveness, their willingness to and to execute. Secondly My support staff have been incredible, they have put in hard hours to allow us just to worry about soccer.”
And lastly, Alan (Kirkup) and Mat (Cosgriff) share this award too because it’s not just a single effort. We’ve had a lot of laughs throughout the season which shows how much we enjoy each other and want to achieve things together. I am honored and extremely thankful”
Jacksonville went on to win seven of its first nine games after the winter break to move to the top of the Super League standings and set a single-season record for victories. Balaam’s squad ended the season with the most wins (16) and most goals (54) and best goal differential (+32) in a Super League regular season, as the attacking trio of Ashlyn Puerta, Baylee DeSmit and Paige Kenton – all of whom were in their first professional campaigns – recorded double-digit goals.
Balaam’s side led the Super League with 145 shots on target, a 50.27 Expected Goals mark and 42 goals from open play while also setting single-season records for the most away wins (10) and away goals (27) in a regular season campaign. The side’s performance saw six Jacksonville players earn All-League honors as the club’s first campaign established it as a force to be reckoned with moving into Year 2.
Balaam earned the Coach of the Year award with 78 percent of the ballot, voted on by club management following the conclusion of the 2025/26 Gainbridge Super League regular season. Five coaches received overall, with the remaining four finishing tied for second on six percent.