Steve Vagnini has spent nearly a decade coaching the Saints Women's Soccer team. And now, the breakthrough year for the Saints is being recognized, with coach Vagnini earning the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association's (OCAA) top coaching honour.
The OCAA announced Vagnini is the 2025-26 Coach of the Year for all sports, after helping lead the team to a memorable outdoor season that saw the Saints women win OCAA gold for the first time in 37 years.
"During his near decade with the St. Clair program, Vagnini has cultivated a culture of accountability, respect and teamwork," reads a release from the OCAA. "By prioritizing comprehensive player development — covering technical, tactical, physical and psychological growth — he has ensured his athletes evolve into well-rounded individuals and competitors."
Vagnini helped lay the groundwork towards the golden season with a solid turn in 2024, where they finished near the top of the west division. While that team didn't advance far into the playoffs, Vagnini looked to his core players with some key additions to reverse the teams' fate in 2025.
"I think it was attitude in the locker room. We exited the first-round last year, and it didn't sit well, so we changed the locker room," said Vagnini.
It turns out that was a recipe for success, one that brought the team to the national championship in 2025.
Vagnini also led the women's indoor soccer team to a regional championship in 2026, advancing to the final four where the Saints lost both the semifinal and bronze medal match in penalty kicks.
Previous OCAA Coaches of the Year
- 2024-25 - Betty Calic, Mohawk Curling
- 2023-24 - Luca Sirianni, Seneca Women's Soccer
- 2022-23 - Doug Wiseman, St. Clair Women's Softball
