Knapstein Named Coastal Coach of the Year

Paul Knapstein, incoming athletic director and head girls' soccer coach at St. Michael, finished out his coaching career at McGill-Toolen with a flourish, honored by Mobile Sports Hall of Fame/Al.om as "Coastal Girls' Soccer Coach of the Year." The Lady Jackets made it to the state semi-finals for the fourth time during Knapstein's 6 year tenure, and finished the season with a sterling record of 23-4. It was the second time Knapstein has been named Coach of the Year, the first in 2012. 

Knapstein was quick to deflect the praise:: "It is a great honor to win this award, but it reflects the level of accomplishment of our team.  We had a great season.  Every young woman on our roster worked together to be successful, and their dedication and commitment to our program has been phenomenal. It's been a privilege to work with them." 

Faustin Weber, principal of St. Michael, is looking forward to what Knapstein will bring to the new school. "I was delighted to hire Coach Knapstein and believe he'll be an excellent athletic director. But as this award shows, we're also getting an outstanding coach, someone the soccer-playing girls of Baldwin County are going to want to play for. He's built McGill to be, without argument, the best girls program in south Alabama, and I'm excited to see what he can do with us. Congratulations to Coach and all of his players at McGill. "