The 2023 ABCA/Marines National Assistant Coaches of the Year have been announced in all collegiate and high school divisions. The 2023 honorees will be recognized on the main clinic stage at the 80th annual ABCA Convention on Friday, January 5, 2024, in Dallas, Texas.
2023 ABCA/Marines National Assistant Coaches of the Year
NCAA Div. I: Jason Jackson, University of Alabama
NCAA Div. II: Patrick Collins, Columbus State University (Ga.)
NCAA Div. III: Scott Gillitzer, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
NAIA: Billy Tomblin, Mayville State University (N.D.)
NJCAA Div. I: Jon Koenigsfeld, College of Central Florida
NJCAA Div. II: Tyler Albright, Heartland Community College (Ill.)
NJCAA Div. III: Greg Chew, Rowan College South Jersey – Gloucester (N.J.)
Pacific Association Division: Don Popovich, Santa Ana College (Calif.)
High School Div. I: Ian Wells, Rocky Mountain High School (Colo.)
High School Div. II: Michael Edwards, Mainland Regional High School (N.J.)
High School Div. III: Kendall Martin, Elkhorn North High School (Neb.)
The ABCA began honoring a National Assistant Coach of the Year annually in 1999. The Assistant Coach of the Year Award has since expanded and now recognizes outstanding assistant coaches from eight divisions of college baseball and three divisions of high school baseball. Coaching expertise, recruiting, loyalty to the program and respect for the players and the game are some of the many criteria examined when reviewing the candidates for the award. Assistant Coach of the Year honorees are voted on and selected by the ABCA All-America and Coach of the Year committees, in conjunction with the ABCA national office.
SEE ALSO: Past ABCA Assistant Coach of the Year honorees
Registration for the 80th annual ABCA Convention is now open! The 2024 Convention will take place Jan. 4-7 at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Dallas, Texas. To register you and/or your coaching staff, visit www.ABCAconvention.org.
About the Marines
You don’t join the Marines. You become one.
Ours is a noble path and demanding journey reserved for those with the willingness to engage and determination to defeat all mental, moral, and physical requirements to become Marines. In or out of uniform, it’s the fighting spirit found inside every Marine that drives them to victory.
As our Nation is threatened by shifting threats and unknown challenges, the Marine Corps must remain committed to the three promises we make to our Nation – We Make Marines, We Win Our Nation’s Battles and We Develop Quality Citizens.
The Marine Corps seeks to find and attract the Marine of tomorrow – a smarter, lifelong learner who meets our tough physical standards and understands that while we modernize equipment and tactics, our success depends on their ability to adapt to emergent threats in any environment.
The United States Marine Corps recognizes the role of coaches, educators, mentors, and parents who inspire that fighting spirit, and we need your help in finding the future leaders of our force. Whether your interest lies in helping us identify high-achieving students and athletes or inviting us to help you motivate students and steer them toward success, we would like to get to know you.
To learn more about the United States Marine Corps click HERE.
About the ABCA
Founded in 1945, the American Baseball Coaches Association is the primary professional organization for baseball coaches at the amateur level. Its over 15,000 members represent all 50 states and 40 countries. Since its initial meeting of 27 college baseball coaches in June 1945, Association membership has broadened to include nine divisions: NCAA Division I, II and III, NAIA, NJCAA, Pacific Association Division, High School, Youth and Travel.