1/1/2026
Leadership, Longevity, and Championship Standards Across Four Regions
Each season, the American Volleyball Coaches Association recognizes coaches whose impact extends well beyond the win column. In 2025, the Division III men’s volleyball Regional Coaches of the Year represent four distinct paths to excellence, ranging from sustained dynasties to elite program creation. What unites them is competitive credibility, player development, and long-term vision.
Region I
Charlie Sullivan | Springfield College
Charlie Sullivan’s 2025 season once again reinforced Springfield College’s place as the benchmark program in Division III men’s volleyball. The Pride finished 25-5, remaining a fixture in the national conversation while continuing their dominance against Division III competition. Springfield’s consistency year after year reflects a culture where high-level execution is the baseline expectation.
Across 25 seasons as head coach, Sullivan has compiled a 442-186 career record, captured 11 Division III national championships, and earned five AVCA Division III National Coach of the Year awards along with 14 EIVA Coach of the Year honors. His teams have produced more All-Americans, Players of the Year, and Most Improved Players than any coach in NCAA men’s volleyball history, underscoring unmatched player development across generations.
Sullivan’s influence reaches well beyond the college game. He has served as Head Coach of the U.S. U-19 National Team, guided the U.S. Men’s Pan American Team to a silver medal in 2014, and was a consultant and scout coach for the U.S. Men’s National Team during its bronze medal performance at the 2016 Olympic Games. The 2025 regional honor reflects a career defined by excellence without interruption.
Region II
José Piña | New York University
José Piña authored the most dominant season in New York University men’s volleyball history in 2025. The Violets opened the year with 26 straight wins, climbed to No. 1 in the AVCA national rankings, and finished 26-1, advancing to the NCAA Division III Elite Eight. NYU also secured its third United Volleyball Conference championship, completing an undefeated 7-0 regular season.
Now entering his 33rd season, Piña has guided NYU to 18 winning campaigns, three NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Final Four run in 2024, and coached 31 AVCA All-Americans. His leadership during the shortened 2020 season earned AVCA National Coach of the Year, reinforcing his ability to sustain excellence under any conditions.
Equally important has been NYU’s academic performance. In 2025, the Violets earned the AVCA Team Academic Award, placed 13 players on the UVC All-Academic Team, and produced multiple national academic honorees. Piña’s 2025 AVCA Regional Coach of the Year recognition reflects a career rooted in stability, adaptability, and steady national ascent.
Region III
Justin Beachy | Messiah University
Justin Beachy continued one of Division III’s most compelling program-building stories in 2025. Messiah finished 26-4, advanced to the NCAA Division III National Quarterfinals, and made its third NCAA Tournament appearance in just eight varsity seasons. The Falcons once again validated their place among the national elite.
As the first head coach in program history, Beachy has led Messiah to a 152-55 overall record, a 68-17 conference mark, and a conference championship in 2021. Under his leadership, the Falcons have reached the national quarterfinals twice and advanced to a national semifinal in 2023, an extraordinary rise for a program launched in 2018.
Beachy’s teams have produced 11 AVCA All-Americans, 14 All-Region honorees, a National Player of the Year, multiple conference Players and Rookies of the Year, and several MAC Scholar-Athletes of the Year. His 2025 AVCA Regional Coach of the Year honor recognizes sustained growth paired with competitive legitimacy.
Region IV
JW Kieckhefer | Carthage College
JW Kieckhefer’s 2025 campaign further confirmed Carthage College’s position as one of the sport’s dominant forces. The Firebirds finished 23-4, continuing a run of elite performance that has defined the program since his arrival. Kieckhefer earned his second AVCA Regional Coach of the Year honor, reflecting both immediate results and long-term excellence.
Since taking over in 2019, Kieckhefer has compiled a 118-24 career record, guided Carthage to four NCAA Tournament appearances, and delivered back-to-back NCAA Division III National Championships in 2021 and 2022. Those titles marked the first NCAA national championships in Carthage athletics history, a transformational moment for the institution.
Under Kieckhefer’s leadership, Firebirds players have earned 17 AVCA All-American selections, 23 All-Region honors, three Regional Players of the Year awards, and two National Newcomers of the Year. The 2025 regional recognition underscores a coach who has not only built a champion, but sustained one.
Final Word
The 2025 AVCA Regional Coaches of the Year reflect four different paths to the same destination. Charlie Sullivan’s enduring dynasty, José Piña’s historic ascent, Justin Beachy’s rapid program creation, and JW Kieckhefer’s championship-driven standard collectively define the highest level of Division III men’s volleyball leadership.