Sacred Heart’s Dylan Martin recognized as MSCA Junior Coach of the Year

I feel like I’m getting really good at this. I’m excited for it. I’m excited to be with awesome players and coaches.”

Dylan Martin, assistant boys coach, Sacred Heart High School varsity soccer team, Sedalia

Catholic Schools Week

Several stories in the Jan. 23, 2026, issue of The Catholic Missourian are part of the observance of Catholic Schools Week, which will be celebrated this year from Sunday, Jan. 25, through Saturday, Jan. 31.

Parishes and each of the 36 Catholic grade schools, three Catholic high schools and one childhood development center in the Jefferson City diocese will have special activities and events for students, families and parishioners to join in celebrating what makes Catholic schools special.

This year’s theme is “Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community.”

Catholic schools have an irreplaceable role in the Church’s evangelizing mission. Building on the central goal of Catholic schools to form saints, Catholic schools teach and embrace the whole person — body, mind and spirit. The fact that all members of a Catholic school community share the Christian vision of faith that Christ is the foundation of Catholic education is what unites the school as a faith-filled community.

While faith is the binding element in Catholic schools, the Church reiterates that parents are the first teachers of their children. Holding this tenet, Catholic school communities expand beyond the walls of school buildings to envelop the family as an integral part of the school community. Together teachers, administrators, staff, students and parents fuel the light of faith by integrating culture with faith and faith with living.

Success in high school athletics often stems from the culture built by its coaching staff, and for Sedalia’s Sacred Heart School boys soccer, Dylan Martin has been a central part of that foundation.

Mr. Martin, who lives with Down syndrome, was named the Missouri Soccer Coaches Association’s (MSCA) Junior Coach of the Year on Monday, Dec. 15, recognizing him for his passion and dedication to the program.

“I feel like I’m getting really good at this,” Mr. Martin said. “I’m excited for it. I’m excited to be with awesome players and coaches.”

The MSCA described the honor as a unique award, and Mr. Martin was to receive a plaque to mark the achievement.

He was surprised with the recognition during Sacred Heart’s end-of-season awards ceremony this past Dec. 18.

Head Coach Sam Jones made the announcement to the team at the start of the event, drawing a round of applause from all those in attendance.

“I think what a lot of people don’t see is he’s at almost every practice,” Mr. Jones said. “It can be hot. It can be miserable. Sometimes, I can be not in a very good mood, but he’s at every single one almost. He’s really dedicated to it and helps out any way he can. He gives the boys their final speech before the game starts. He leads them across the field. He talks to them at halftime. I mean, he’s really, really involved. So, for me to see him recognized is pretty special.”

Mr. Martin has been on the Gremlins sideline for the past two years. In 2024, he was named the Kaysinger Conference Assistant Coach of the Year.

In his two seasons with Sacred Heart, the Gremlins have gone 34-16-1, claiming two Kaysinger Conference regular-season crowns, two Kaysinger Conference Tournament titles, one district championship and one district runner-up finish.

“They play really hard and really strong,” Mr. Martin said. “They’ve been working so hard. They work very, very hard.”

Senior Gabe Malacara, who received Mr. Martin’s “Player of the Year Award” during the awards ceremony, said Mr. Martin brings an infectious energy to the sidelines.

“He’s really outgoing,” said Gabe. “He’s just so happy and it makes us happy, too. When he breaks [the huddle] down, it just brings us a lot of excitement.”

Mr. Jones said Mr. Martin’s natural enthusiasm is the perfect contrast to his own reserved approach.

“I’ve never been a hype coach. That’s never been my style,” Mr. Jones said. “That’s Coach D’s style. He could do WWF wrestling promos if you ever wanted him to. He really gets the guys pumped up, and that’s something that I’ve never been very good at. He knows exactly what he’s going to say. He gets them hyped up before the game and he gets the boys ready to go to work. He does it at halftime as well. And, win or lose, he leads them across the field. He definitely plays a crucial role on our team.”

Mr. Martin’s motivation to lead the Gremlins comes from a deep-rooted connection to the program. His brother, Lucas, played at Sacred Heart and spent time coaching at the junior high level, which sparked a bit of a friendly sibling rivalry for Dylan.

“I tell my brother all the time, like, he’s a really good coach, but I’m better than him,” Dylan said with a smile and laugh.

Beyond the family competition, Dylan said his true drive comes from watching the players’ effort on the pitch. He finds the greatest satisfaction in seeing the Gremlins give their all in a match.

“[I want to see] everybody do their best,” Dylan said. “They’re really good at it. [I want to see] everyone try hard and do their best.”

Dylan said he is grateful to Mr. Jones, the rest of the coaching staff and athletic director Amanda Blackburn for allowing him the opportunity to coach the Gremlins.

“Coach Jones is the best coach,” Mr. Martin said. “I’m thankful for all the soccer stuff, Amanda Blackburn and the opportunity (to coach at Sacred Heart).”

Jack Denebeim is sports editor of the Sedalia Democrat newspaper (sedaliademocrat.com), which published a version of this story on Dec. 24, 2025. This version is published here with permission.