U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee Honors Coaches and Support Staff of the Year for 2025
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. Jun 2 – The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee today announced its annual award recipients for seven coaches and four support staff members of the year for 2025. The recipients include three winter and four summer coaches, as well as four service providers across the Olympic and Paralympic Movement.
This year’s award recipients include U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s Alex Hoedlmoser as Olympic Coach of the Year and USA Track & Field’s Kris Mack as Paralympic Coach of the Year. The summer award recipients are Caryl Smith Gilbert as the College Coach of the Year, USA Track & Field’s Nic Petersen as the Doc Counsilman Science & Technology Award recipient, and USA Baseball’s Rick Delia as Volunteer Coach of the Year. The winter award recipients include U.S. Speedskating’s Li Geng as Development Coach of the Year and U.S. Figure Skating’s Heidi Thibert as Coach Educator of the Year.
For the first time, this year’s support staff awards were expanded, recognizing winners from dietetics, strength and conditioning, and sports medicine across the Olympic and Paralympic Movement. Dietetics featured two award winners: USOPC’s Carrie Aprik, who supports five different National Governing Bodies, and USA Wrestling’s Nuwanee Tamaki. Regan Dewhirst of U.S. Ski & Snowboard was selected as the sports medicine representative, while Brandon Siakel of the USOPC earned the strength and conditioning award.
“Behind every Team USA athlete is a dedicated network of coaches, support staff and National Governing Body partners whose leadership, expertise and commitment help drive success at every level of sport,” said Rocky Harris, chief of sport and athlete services at the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. “The USOPC’s partnerships with National Governing Bodies are essential to creating high-performance environments that allow athletes to thrive both on and off the field of play. From developing the next generation of athletes to supporting podium performances on the world stage, these individuals and organizations play a vital role in strengthening Team USA and the Olympic and Paralympic Movement. We are proud to recognize this year’s award winners for their incredible impact and continued pursuit of excellence on and off the field of play.”
National Governing Bodies nominated their 2025 coaches as part of the USOPC Coach of the Year Recognition Program, with winners selected by a USOPC panel. The program recognizes and celebrates the work of outstanding coaches and support providers who make a significant impact within their sport and National Governing Body throughout the year.
Olympic Coach of the Year – Alex Hoedlmoser (U.S. Ski & Snowboard)
Alex Hoedlmoser had a year to remember in 2025, serving as the alpine coach for U.S. Ski & Snowboard heading into the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. He led a staff of six coaches and five ski technicians while coaching athletes, including Breezy Johnson, Lauren Macuga and Lindsey Vonn. Under Hoedlmoser’s leadership, Johnson delivered one of the best seasons of her career, becoming a two-time world champion at the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships Saalbach 2025, first winning the downhill then teaming with Mikaela Shiffrin to win the team combined world title. Hoedlmoser also guided Macuga through a breakout world cup season that included her first Super-G victory in St. Anton and a bronze medal at her first world championships. His emphasis on individualized coaching and team culture also helped support Vonn’s historic return to world cup competition, as the Olympic champion reestablished herself among the world’s top skiers while helping foster a strong sense of camaraderie throughout the U.S. team.
Paralympic Coach of the Year – Kris Mack (USA Track & Field)
Kris Mack showcased exceptional versatility and technical expertise throughout 2025, coaching athletes to podium finishes across multiple Para track and field disciplines. Under his guidance, Derek Loccident earned silver in the T64 long jump at the world championships while also placing fifth in both the javelin and high jump, Jaleen Roberts claimed silver in the T37 long jump, Beatriz Hatz earned bronze in the T64 long jump, Noelle Lambert captured bronze in the T63 long jump and Ryan Medrano won silver in the T38 100m. Mack also played a major role in the future of the Paralympic Movement by leading the USOPC talent transfer camp, helping transition elite athletes from other sports into Para track and field, while Hakim McMorris won the Mt. SAC Relays decathlon with a world-leading mark. In addition to his Paralympic success, Mack continued coaching able-bodied athletes, guiding Harrison Williams to another world championships appearance in the decathlon in 2025.
Developmental Coach of the Year – Li Geng (U.S. Speedskating)
Coach Li Geng played a vital role in the development of her athletes during the 2025 season, supporting their personal, social, academic and emotional growth alongside competitive success. Coaching skaters ranging in age from 13 to 25, she carefully managed training loads based on each athlete’s physical and mental readiness, helping athletes remain healthy, consistent and injury free while producing strong performances at national and international competitions. Her athletes earned results at the 2025 U.S. Age Group Nationals, ISU Junior World Cups and Junior World Championships, with multiple skaters advancing to A-finals at the international junior level. One of the season’s highlights came when Kamryn Lute placed third at the 2026 U.S. Championships, which served as a qualifying event for the 2026 U.S. Olympic Team. By emphasizing discipline, resilience and teamwork while creating an engaging training environment, Geng developed athletes who represented U.S. Speedskating with professionalism and maturity both on and off the ice.
College Coach of the Year – Caryl Smith Gilbert (Track & Field)
Caryl Smith Gilbert delivered a remarkable 2025 season through her leadership at both the collegiate and international levels. Serving as Team USA’s head coach at the world championships in Tokyo, she helped guide the U.S. to a record-breaking 26 medals, including 16 gold medals, the most in championship history. At the collegiate level, she led the University of Georgia women to the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Team Championship in dominant fashion, finishing 23 points ahead of the runner-up, while both the men’s and women’s programs earned NCAA indoor runner-up finishes. Smith Gilbert also guided Aaliyah Butler to two NCAA titles and a world championship gold medal, showcasing her ability to develop athletes from the collegiate level to the world stage. As U.S. Track & Field and Cross-Country Coaches Association president, the 2025 Women’s National Coach of the Year and one of the few women to lead a combined track and field program, Smith Gilbert continues to be one of track and field’s most influential leaders.
Volunteer Coach of the Year – Rick Delia (USA Baseball)
Rick Delia was named Volunteer Coach of the Year for his impactful work with the Miracle League of the Triangle. Since 2015, Delia has dedicated his time as a volunteer coach, pitching during games and helping athletes develop their skills in every facet of baseball. He also coaches the organization’s Senior Advanced Player Academy, which provides athletes the opportunity to further develop their game and compete at a higher level. Through the Miracle League’s mission of creating positive life experiences for individuals with special needs, Delia has helped support a program that now serves more than 600 players alongside nearly 200 coaches in the area.
Coach Educator of the Year – Heidi Thibert (U.S. Figure Skating)
Heidi Thibert has been a driving force in advancing coach education within U.S. Figure Skating, combining more than three decades of national/international coaching experience with a visionary approach to coach development. She co-created the groundbreaking Coach I.C.E. (Inspiring Coaching Excellence) framework, which now serves as the foundation for a nationally adopted coaching pathway focused on education, development, support and recognition for coaches across the sport. Thibert also conceptualized, and with her department, launched the first U.S. Figure Skating Coach Core Certification program, developed a model for a five-level coach accreditation system that is in progress and led innovative mentoring and education initiatives including Coach The Future, the Accelerated Mentoring Program (AMP) and The Coaches Studio webinar platform. Her leadership has shaped coach education and development efforts at major events including Champs Camp, Junior World Camp and National Coaches College, while also strengthening professionalism and collaboration throughout the coaching community. Guided by her philosophy of shifting coaching culture from “education for compliance to one of curiosity,” Thibert continues to influence coach development both nationally and internationally through leadership roles across the Olympic and figure skating landscape.
Doc Counsilman Science & Technology Award – Nic Petersen (USA Track & Field)
Nic Petersen continued to establish himself as one of the nation’s premier jumping coaches during his 15th season as associate head coach at the University of Florida. Petersen has coached 21 NCAA champions in jumping events during his time at Florida and has twice been named National Assistant Coach of the Year in the last three seasons. On the international stage, he guided Jasmine Moore to two bronze medals at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 in the long jump and triple jump, marking the first time an American woman earned an Olympic medal in the triple jump. In 2025, Petersen coached Claire Bryant to a world indoor championship title in the long jump with a personal-best 6.96 meters before she added a fifth-place finish at the world outdoor championships in Tokyo, while Malcolm Clemons captured the NCAA outdoor title in the long jump. Petersen also stands out for his innovative use of sport science, partnering with USATF Regional Sport Scientist Dr. Harper Stewart to implement biomechanical analysis and motion-capture technology that helps optimize performance, reduce injury risk and maximize athlete development.
Service Providers of the Year:
Dietetics: Carrie Aprik (USOPC, U.S. Biathlon, USA Bobsled-Skeleton, U.S. Figure Skating, USA Hockey, USA Luge)
Carrie Aprik has made a significant impact across the Olympic and Paralympic Movement through her athlete-centered approach to sports nutrition and performance support with USA Hockey and U.S. Figure Skating. Aprik has supported Team USA athletes at multiple Olympic Winter Games, helping athletes trust their fueling, hydration and recovery strategies during some of the highest-pressure moments of their careers. As a founding member of U.S. Figure Skating’s Body Empowerment and Environment Project, she has helped foster a healthier and more informed culture around body image, nutrition and athlete well-being within the sport. Through individualized counseling, team education sessions, cooking demonstrations and collaboration with sports medicine and mental health staff, Aprik consistently integrates nutrition into a holistic performance plan for athletes. Her work has helped athletes feel supported not only in competition, but also in their long-term physical and emotional well-being.
Dietetics: Nuwanee Tamaki (USA Wrestling)
Nuwanee Tamaki has established herself as a leader in high-performance sports nutrition through her work with the USOPC and now USA Wrestling. Tamaki provides comprehensive, evidence-based nutrition support tailored to elite athletes, specializing in safe and effective weight management strategies for combat and acrobatic sports. Her work integrates advanced performance testing, including DEXA, hydration analysis, blood biomarkers and metabolic assessments, translating complex data into practical fueling strategies that optimize athlete performance and health. Beyond individual athlete support, she has expanded nutrition programming across National Governing Bodies, supported athletes at domestic and international competitions and mentored future sports dietitians entering the field. Tamaki also contributed to publications advancing best practices in combat sport nutrition and played a key role in preparing multiple 2025 world team members to safely compete at their optimal weight class.
Strength and Conditioning: Brandon Siakel (USOPC)
Brandon Siakel has become a trusted leader in athlete performance through his athlete-centered, team-led approach to strength and conditioning at the USOPC. Siakel’s philosophy focuses on empowering athletes to competently and independently manage their own training while balancing elite performance with long-term health, well-being and personal growth. He has played an integral role on the performance teams of athletes including figure skaters Nathan Chen, Alysa Liu and Max Naumov, helping guide training periodization, injury recovery and performance preparation at the Olympic and World Championship levels. Siakel is also recognized for his innovative use of data analytics and technology to enhance training solutions within figure skating while fostering strong collaboration across interdisciplinary performance teams. His leadership, honesty and commitment to the mission and the integrated team have been instrumental in driving holistic success for Team USA athletes on and off the ice.
Sports Medicine: Regan Dewhirst (U.S. Ski & Snowboard)
Regan Dewhirst has made a tremendous impact on U.S. Ski Team athletes through her expertise, innovation and athlete-centered approach to sports medicine with U.S. Ski & Snowboard. Dewhirst is recognized for her deep knowledge across injury rehabilitation, return-to-sport programming, load management and athlete wellness, while consistently creating an environment where athletes feel supported and prepared to perform at their highest level. Her work played a critical role in helping Mikaela Shiffrin successfully recover from an injury and return to competition during the same season, culminating in Shiffrin’s historic 100th FIS Alpine World Cup victory. Dewhirst is also known for her collaborative mindset and willingness to seek innovative solutions, incorporating research and expertise from across multiple sports to meet the unique demands of alpine skiing. Through both measurable performance outcomes and meaningful support of athlete well-being, Dewhirst continues to elevate the standard of care across Team USA.