The Sarasota Herald-Tribune honored the best athletes, teams and coaches from Manatee and Sarasota counties at The High School Sports Awards on May 26, 2026.
The Herald-Tribune sports staff selected All-Area Teams of the top athletes and coaches for all high school sports for the 2025-2026 season.
We named Braden River High softball coach Keith Jans as our Girls Coach of the Year among the 14 girls coaches of the year candidates. Jans led the Pirates on an epic turnaround. A year after Braden River finished with a 4-19 record, Jans led his team to a 23-4 record this season, winning district and regional titles to reach the Class 5A Final Four, where the Pirates fell 2-1 to Niceville. Jans only had one senior on his roster and seven freshmen, who saw significant playing time.
Now we will let you have your say. Do you agree with Jans being our pick for Girls Coach of the Year, or do you prefer a different girls coach? Vote in our fans’ poll to make your pick for the Herald-Tribune Girls Coach of the Year.
Voting will remain open until Friday, June 26, 2026, at 10 a.m. We will announce the winners on Instagram at heraldtribunesports
To make your pick, CLICK HERE or vote in the poll below.
Editor’s Note: We reserve the right to disqualify a candidate or declare a vote “no contest” if tampering such as bots or offering to pay for voting is evident. Please respect the integrity of the vote the way these athletes respect the integrity of the game.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Reader’s choice: Vote for Herald-Tribune Girls Coach of the Year
Reporting by MH Syin, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By MH Syin, Sarasota Herald-Tribune | USA TODAY Network
