Men's Golf | 6/9/2026 2:00:00 PM
NORMAN, Okla. – Gannon University Director of Golf
Scott Stano has been named the Golf Pride Grips NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Men's Golf Coach of the Year, as announced by the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA).
Eight coaches were recognized as regional coaches of the year, while Brian Richey of Florida Southern earned the 2026 Dave Williams NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year Award.
Stano guided the Golden Knights to another outstanding season during the 2025-26 campaign. Gannon captured five team titles, including the NCAA Division II East/Atlantic Regional Championship, and advanced to the NCAA Division II National Championships for the fifth time in the last six seasons. The Golden Knights finished 18th nationally.
In just his second season overseeing the men's golf program, Stano led Gannon to victories at the UC Invitational, Sunnehanna Collegiate, Howard "Bud" Elwell Invitational, Vulcan Fire Classic, and the NCAA Division II East/Atlantic Regional.
The Golden Knights added runner-up finishes at the Midwest/Central Region Preview and Pawleys Island Beach Bash while recording top-five finishes in 10 of their 13 tournaments.
The highlight of the season came in May when Gannon claimed the NCAA Division II East/Atlantic Regional title. The Golden Knights finished tied for first after 54 holes before winning the championship in a playoff to secure their place in the national championship field. The regional crown marked Gannon's second in the last five seasons.
Stano's squad featured some of the top golfers in the Atlantic Region throughout the season.
Rasmus Seppanen (Bastad, Sweden/Akademi Bastad Gymnasium) was named the PSAC Athlete of the Year after leading the Golden Knights with a 72.7 scoring average and five top-five finishes.
Giovanni Delorenzi (Reggio Emilia, Italy/International School of Modena) and
Mattia Parrini (Verolengo, Italy/Verolengo) joined Seppanen on the All-PSAC First Team as Gannon claimed three of the five spots on the squad. Stano was also recognized as the PSAC Men's Golf Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season.
Under Stano's direction, the Golden Knights compiled 16 individual top-five finishes and 24 top-10 finishes throughout the season. Gannon also posted five tournament victories and earned a berth in the NCAA Division II National Championships.
After arriving at Gannon in 2015 as the women's golf head coach, Stano was elevated to Director of Golf prior to the 2024-25 season and assumed leadership of the men's golf program.
Throughout his tenure, he has overseen sustained success across both programs, including seven consecutive PSAC Championships by the women's team.
This season, Stano guided the men's squad to the NCAA Division II East/Atlantic Regional title and a fifth NCAA Championship appearance in the last six seasons, earning Atlantic Region Men's Golf Coach of the Year honors in the process.
2026 NCAA Division II Golf Pride Grips Region Coaches of the Year
ATLANTIC - SCOTT STANO, GANNON
East - David Mattana, Adelphi
Midwest - Troy Halterman, UMSL
Central - Jeff Straight, Winona State
South - Brian Richey, Florida Southern
Southeast - J.D. Lamm, Wingate
South Central - Axel Ochoa, West Texas A&M
West - Luke Bennett, Western Washington
