TAMPA, Fla. – The United Soccer League announced on Monday Real Monarchs SLC’s Mark Briggs had been voted the 2017 USL Coach of the Year after leading the club to the 2017 USL Regular Season Championship in a remarkable turnaround year at Rio Tinto Stadium.

Briggs received 41 percent of the vote to claim the award, with Louisville City FC’s James O’Connor earning 31 percent to finish second and Reno 1868 FC’s Ian Russell recording 28 percent to finish third.

The 2017 USL Awards were voted on by team management and a league-wide media panel that included representation from every USL market. Voting was conducted following the conclusion of the 2017 USL regular season.

“It hasn’t really hit home because I’m preparing for next year where we’re already trying to bring in the players we want for next year and planning for another successful year,” said Briggs. “I loved every minute of this season, but I love what I do, I’m passionate about what I do and hopefully I can do it for a long time.”