Jason Turkington Named Illinois Coach of the Year

The Father McGivney coach earned top honors after leading the Griffins to a historic Class 1A state championship title.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Soccer

Jason Turkington Named Illinois Coach of the Year

United Soccer Coaches recognized Jason Turkington as the Illinois Girls Soccer Coach of the Year for Independent Small Schools. This honor followed his successful first season coaching the Father McGivney girls soccer team.

Why it matters

The award celebrates a remarkable debut season that saw the Griffins secure their first sectional and super-sectional championships. These accolades highlight the program's rapid ascent in the state competitive landscape.

Turkington led the Griffins to a 24-2-3 record, while the team maintained a 39-0 goal differential during seven postseason matches. Natalie Beck contributed to this dominance, finishing her career with 104 total goals.

The players

Jason Turkington

He is the head coach who led the Father McGivney girls soccer team to their first state championship.

Father McGivney

This school program achieved its first sectional and super-sectional titles under the leadership of Turkington.

Natalie Beck

A standout player for the Griffins who scored 104 career goals during her tenure.

United Soccer Coaches

This national organization oversees the presentation of thousands of annual coaching awards across the country.

Jim Burnside

He was recognized as the Large Public School Coach of the Year for the state of Illinois.

The details

Father McGivney clinched the Class 1A state title by defeating Pleasant Plains 3-0 in Naperville. The defensive unit was particularly notable, recording seven consecutive shutouts throughout the postseason run.

Jason Turkington earned his coach of the year honors in 2026.

Season Trajectory

This state championship victory establishes Father McGivney as a new powerhouse within the Illinois high school soccer landscape. The program's rapid rise suggests a significant shift in the competitive hierarchy of Class 1A girls soccer.

The program's defensive consistency, anchored by seven straight postseason shutouts, provides a statistical benchmark for future Class 1A contenders. Natalie Beck’s 104-goal career serves as a historical record for the program's offensive output.

The takeaway

Building a successful program requires a balance of defensive rigor and elite offensive production. Future high school teams looking to replicate this success should prioritize postseason defensive stability as a primary path to championship play.