NEW YORK, NEW YORK (October 22, 2026) – MLS NEXT Pro announced today that Jason Shackell has been voted the 2026 Coach of the Year after guiding Austin FC II to the best record and No. 1 overall playoff seed (65 points, 19-3-6) in his first year as head coach of the club. He led the club to its second-ever MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs appearance, returning to the postseason for the first time since winning MLS NEXT Pro Cup in 2023. Appointed as Austin FC II’s second-ever head coach in November 2025, Shackell has climbed the ranks within Austin FC since joining the club in 2021 as a member of the Academy staff, and most recently served as head coach of the U-16 Academy team.
The Coach of the Year Award was voted on by the Head Coaches and Chief Soccer Officers at MLS NEXT Pro Clubs, as well as League broadcasters and content team members.Â
With Shackell at the helm, Austin FC II was a formidable force in the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro regular season, registering the best goal differential across the League (+33) while conceding the fewest goals (21). The club’s stellar defensive acumen resulted in a record that led the League in wins (19) while suffering the fewest defeats (3). Austin FC II finished the season tied with Chattanooga FC for the most victories at home – Austin FC II and Chattanooga FC were the only teams to record 10 home wins. Austin FC II’s tally of 65 points is a new club record, eclipsing the previous high of 49 points from the club’s MLS NEXT Pro Cup championship winning season in 2023.
Austin FC II returns to the MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs after narrowly missing the 2024 and 2025 editions. Buoyed by impressive individual performances throughout the season by players such as Defender of the Year and Best XI honoree Jules Bery, Shackell has also overseen Austin FC II’s role as a proving ground for developing players. Best XI honoree Jorge Alastuey was a key player in the first half of the season for Los VerDos, before signing a first team contract on July 31, 2026. Alastuey has since started eight of his 13 appearances in MLS action during the 2026 season.
Shackell led Austin FC II’s turnaround in dramatic fashion; after suffering defeat in the season opener, Austin FC II went on an unbeaten streak of 15 matches, spanning almost five months from March to July. During that period, the Texas outfit earned consecutive Team of the Month honors in May and June by stringing together nine consecutive victories and outscoring opponents 23-3 – Shackell was honored as Coach of the Month for June for his efforts.
The 2026 season marked Shackell’s first appointment as a head coach of a professional team, after starting his coaching career in the Austin FC Academy ranks following the conclusion of his time as a professional player. Shackell first coached the U-15 team as an assistant coach, before his first head coach role leading the U-16 team. As a professional player, Shackell, originally from Stevenage, England, made over 500 appearances in his home country. His playing career is highlighted by three separate promotions to the Premier League with Wolverhampton Wanderers, Norwich City FC, and Burnley FC. He won the EFL Championship with Wolves in 2009 and was selected to the PFA Championship Team of the Year with Burnley in 2014.Â
Finalists for Coach of the Year: Portland Timbers2’s Jack Cassidy, Chattanooga FC’s Richard Dixon, and Crown Legacy FC’s Kevin Sawchak.
Previous MLS NEXT Pro Coach of the Year Winners:
2025: John Hackworth, St Louis CITY2
2024: Tyrone Marshall, FC Cincinnati 2
2023: Erik Bushey, Colorado Rapids 2
2022: Laurent Courtois, Columbus Crew 2
ADDITIONAL AWARDS:
Following the conclusion of the regular season on September 20, MLS NEXT Pro announced the winners of the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Golden Boot and Playmaker of the Year awards: Atlanta United 2 claimed both awards as Arif Kovac’s 20 goals secured the Golden Boot while Cameron Dunbar earned Playmaker of the Year honors for matching the all-time League record for assists in a single season (13). Both players appeared on the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Best XI, announced on October 8, alongside Goalkeeper of the Year Sam Joseph (POR) and Defender of the Year Jules Bery (ATX). Orlando City SC’s Justin Ellis was named the second-ever Pathway Player of the Year after impressing at all levels of the MLS player pathway and making his U.S. Men’s National Team debut during the September-October FIFA window.
MLS NEXT Pro MVP presented by adidas and Executive of the Year will be announced in the coming weeks.
