The Open Mat presents awards annually in three categories for each division of college wrestling at the conclusion of the season. Awards are presented for Freshman of the Year, Coach of the Year and Wrestler of the Year.

Ashley Flavin led Life University to its first NAIA national championship in women's wrestling this past March. In addition, Flavin became the second female coach in NAIA history to lead a women's college wrestling team to a national team title.

On Wednesday, Flavin was named 2025 NAIA Women's Coach of the Year by The Open Mat.

The 2024-25 season proved to be a historic season for the Life women's wrestling program. The Running Eagles compiled a dual meet record of 14-1 this season, with their lone loss coming to the two-time defending NCAA champion Iowa Hawkeyes. In January, Life won its second consecutive NWCA National Duals title -- and third title in four seasons -- with a 4-0 performance, which included a 30-12 finals victory over Grand View. Flavin secured her 100th dual meet victory in Life's quarterfinal victory over Campbellsville.

Flavin guided Life to a dominant performance at the Mid-South Conference Championships, winning the team title by 62.5 points. Seven Life wrestlers won conference titles and 10 placed in the top four of their respective weight classes. Life freshman Anaya Falcon was named Mid-South Conference Wrestler of the Year.

Two weeks later, the Running Eagles broke the tournament scoring record at the NAIA Women's Wrestling Championships en route to claiming the program's first national championship by 70 points over runner-up Grand View. Zaynah McBryde, Latifah McBryde and Savannah Isaac (207) won national titles, while Falcon (110), Salyna Shotwell (117) and Jamilah McBryde (145) finished runner-up. Ten Life wrestlers earned All-America honors.

Flavin, a Florida native, has served as the Life's head women's wrestling coach since the 2017-18 season. Her husband Christian Flavin has served as an assistant coach on her staff.