The John McLendon National Coach of the Year Award | College Basketball Awards

THE JOHN MCLENDON AWARD

North Carolina's Hubert Davis is the recipient of the 2022 Coach John McLendon award, which is presented annually to the top top head coach in all of collegiate basketball (Division I, Division II, Division III, NAIA and JUCO).

April 1, 2022

HUBERT DAVIS WINS 2022 AWARD

NEW ORELANS, LA -- University North Carolina coach Hubert Davis is the recipient of the 2021 John McLendon Award, which is presented annually to the top collegiate head basketball coach and includes Division I, Division II, Division III, NAIA and NJCAA.

In his first season as the Tar Heels’ head coach, Davis orchestrated a remarkable turnaround and led the team to 28 victories and the Final Four.

Davis, 51, starred at UNC as a player, graduating as the program’s all-time leader in 3-point percentage. After a 12-year NBA career, he worked as a college basketball analyst at ESPN before joining Roy Williams staff at UNC in 2012. He was tabbed to replace the Hall of Fame coach when Williams retired following the 2020-21 season.

UNC struggled early in Davis’ debut season, suffering blowout losses to Tennessee, Kentucky, Duke and Miami and was 12-6 overall and 4-3 in the ACC in late January. But the Tar Heels won 16 of the next 19, spoiled Coach K’s final home game at Duke and advanced to the Final Four for the 21st time, extending their record. The Tar Heels’ success mirrored the in-season development of guards R.J. Davis and Caleb Love.

The John McLendon Award is named after one of the true legends of the sport. A trailblazer and one of the true pioneers of the game, McLendon became the first African American coach to win an integrated national championship. His team went on to win the NAIA Division I Men's Tournament in 1957, 1958 and 1959, making him the first coach in history to win three consecutive NAIA championships.

In 1962 he became the first African American head coach in a major professional league (ABL) with the Cleveland Pipers. In 1966 he became the first African American head coach of predominantly white university, when he took over the Cleveland State program. He led the team to their best record in school history.

In 1969, McLendon was hired by the Denver Rockets and became the first African American head coach in the American Basketball Association. After a brief stint with the Rockets, McLendon ended his 25-year professional coaching career with a winning percentage of .760 and a lifetime career average of 523 victories and 165 losses.

The John McLendon Award is presented annually to the top collegiate head coach and includes Division I, Division II, Division III, NAIA and NJCAA.

A trailblazer and one of the true pioneers of the game, McLendon became the first African American coach to win an integrated national championship. His team went on to win the NAIA Division I Men's Tournament in 1957, 1958 and 1959, making him the first coach in history to win three consecutive NAIA championships.

In 1962 he became the first African American head coach in a major professional league (ABL) with the Cleveland Pipers. In 1966 he became the first African American head coach of predominantly-white university, when he took over the Cleveland State program. He led the team to their best record in school history.

In 1969, McLendon was hired by the Denver Rockets and became the first African American head coach in the American Basketball Association. After a brief stint with the Rockets, McLendon ended his 25-year professional coaching career with a winning percentage of .760 and a lifetime career average of 523 victories and 165 losses.

The recipient of of the 2021 award will be announced on April 1.

2021: Kelvin Sampson, Houston
2020: Joe Gallo, Merrimack
2019: Ben McCollum, Northwest Missouri State
2018: Chris Beard, Texas Tech
2017: Chris Holtmann, Ohio State
2016: King Rice, Monmouth
2015: Jim Engles, NJIT
2014: Gregg Marshall, Wichita State
2013: John Thompson, Georgetown
2012: Horace Broadnax, Savannah State

The John McLendon award committee is a 30 member panel, consisting of five current division I head coaches, five retired head coaches, 10 current athletic directors and/or conference administrators, five members of the national media and five collegeinsider.com staff members.

RULES AND CRITERIA

The John McLendon award is presented annually to the top collegiate coach, regardless of division, as voted on by the award committee. Coaches at the division I, division II, division III, NAIA and JUCO ranks are eligible for the award.

SCHEDULE OF RELEASES

March 30: John McLendon National Coach of the Year announced

AWARD PRESENTATION

The recipients of the 17 national awards, presented by CollegeInsider.com, are announced annually at the site of the NCAA men’s division I basketball championship.

The 2018 CollegeInsider.com Awards Banquet will take place on March 30 in San Antonio, TX.