BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. -- Dan Stratford has been named the Mountain East Conference Men's Sports Coach of the Year for 2019-20. Stratford wins the award for the second time after earning the honor for the 2017-18 season.

Stratford, in his third season as head coach, led Charleston to its second NCAA title in men's soccer in three years. After starting the season 1-2-0, the Golden Eagles went 21-0-1 the rest of the way picking up the Mountain East Conference regular season and tournament titles along the way. During UC's tournament run, the Golden Eagles outscored opponents 15-1, including an emphatic 2-0 win over Cal State Los Angeles in the final at Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh. 

In his second season (2018), UC conceded just four total goals, an all-time goals-against average record in Division II men's soccer history. The team went undefeated in the regular season before finishing with an 18-1-2 mark.

Stratford's first season in charge in 2017 was capped off with UC's first men's soccer National Championship. On the heels of a 15-match win streak, the Golden Eagles allowed just eight goals all year while tallying 19 shutouts. The squad finished 21-1-2 on the year, as Stratford mentored his first collection of student-athletes as a head coach, including Thomas Vancaeyezeele, the Division II National Player of the Year.

The London, England, native is a two-time United Soccer Coaches Division II Coaching Staff of the Year (2017, 2019) winner

The MEC Men's Sports Coach of the Year is selected by a vote of institutional administrators and the conference office.