BOSTON, Mass. --- Randolph-Macon men's basketball coach Josh Merkel has been named the recipient of the 2021 Glenn Robinson National Coach of the Year Award.
The award is presented annually to the top Division III head coach, as voted on by the award committee. This award committee is a 20-member panel consisting of 15 current or retired head coaches as well as five collegeinsider.com staff members. Former Franklin & Marshall head coach Glenn Robinson is the chairman of the award committee.
"I am humbled by this honor," Merkel said, "but the recognition should be directed towards our players and coaching staff. This award also reflects the tradition of excellence built by the commitment of past coaches and players. Associate head coach Dave Matturro as well as assistant coaches Brett Barron and Shawn Boggs have been valuable contributors to our recent success. I share this award with them."
Merkel just completed his sixth season as head coach of the Yellow Jackets. He led R-MC to an undefeated season at 12-0. The Yellow Jackets captured their second straight ODAC Championship, winning three games on the road to claim the crown. R-MC won 80-49 at Bridgewater in the quarterfinals, 77-71 at Roanoke in the semifinals and 70-62 at Lynchburg in the finals.
Following the ODAC Tournament, R-MC host second-ranked Trine in a battle of unbeatens. The Yellow Jackets posted a 69-55 victory, holding the Thunder to their lowest point total of the season. R-MC set a program mark with its 33rd consecutive home win, the longest current streak in Division III.
Merkel is 114-37 (.755) in six seasons at R-MC, including 67-6 (.918) in the past three campaigns. He was head coach at Salisbury, his alma mater, for four years. Merkel is 181-78 (.699) in 10 seasons as a head coach.
PAST RECIPIENTS
- 2020: Elliot Steinmetz, Yeshiva University
- 2019: Matt Lewis, UW-Oshkosh
- 2018: Charlie Brock, Springfield College
- 2017: Kevin App, Williams College
- 2016: John Krikorian, Christopher Newport
- 2015: Jon VanderWal, Marietta
- 2014 Greg Dunne, Brockport State
- 2013: Chris Bartley, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- 2012: Matt Neil, Hope College
- 2011: Shawn Cassidy, Concordia University Wisconsin