Benoit named AVCA Southeast Coach of the Year

Fresh off guiding Miami Dade College back to the pinnacle of NJCAA Division I volleyball, Origenes "Kiko" Benóit has been named the AVCA Southeast Region Coach of the Year, adding yet another prestigious honor to one of the most decorated careers in the two-year college game.

The American Volleyball Coaches Association highlighted Benoit's continued excellence in its announcement:

"Benoit solidified his already sterling resume by leading Miami Dade to the NJCAA Division I national title, the school's third in his 18-season tenure. This year's Shark squad was dominant from start to finish, only dropping 15 sets across its 31 matches and compiling win streaks of 10 matches (to open the season) and 14 matches (to close it out)."

The Sharks' 2025 campaign was nothing short of remarkable. A perfect blend of talent, discipline, and Benoit's trademark defensive intensity propelled the team to a 29–2 overall record. Miami Dade opened the year with 10 straight wins and finished the year with 14 consecutive victories, including the one that mattered most.

In late November at the Dunn Center in Clarksville, Tennessee, Coach Benoit's group delivered on the biggest stage, sweeping rival Florida SouthWestern State College to secure the program's third national championship under his leadership. The triumph reinforced a standard of sustained excellence that has become synonymous with Sharks volleyball.

Over his 20 seasons at the helm, Benoit has built Miami Dade into a national powerhouse, developing All-Americans, sending athletes to top NCAA Division I programs, and fostering a culture of relentless commitment to growth and competition.

This latest award recognizes a coach who has not only rewritten the record books at Miami Dade, but who has continued to elevate junior college volleyball on a national scale.

2025 AVCA Two-Year College Region Coaches of the Year Release