The NWCA Names Grand View’s Mitchell NAIA Men’s National Coach of the Year

Wichita, KS – On Thursday evening, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) hosted their Men’s Wrestling National Championship Coaches Banquet. At the conclusion of the event, the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) honored nine finalists for the NAIA Men’s National Coach of the Year and announced the winner as selected by their peers. This award is presented to the coach that has demonstrated outstanding effort throughout the season in developing and elevating their program on campus and in the community. Defense Soap, the official Hygiene partner of the NWCA, is the presenting sponsor of the award. 

Founder and CEO of Defense Soap, Guy Sako, expressed his pride in partnering with the NWCA to continue their mission of keeping wrestlers on the mat with their hygiene products and educational resources.

The recipient of this year’s NAIA Men’s National Coach of the Year is Nick Mitchell of Grand View University. Coach Mitchell is in his 15th year as head coach. This season’s achievements include a 14-1 dual meet record, an NWCA National Duals Championship, a Heart of America Athletic Conference Championship, and 12 National Qualifiers.

“It is my honor to recognize Coach Mitchell as our 2023 Defense Soap NAIA Men’s National Coach of the Year. ” Said Mike Moyer, NWCA Executive Director. “Nick and his staff continue to put great teams on the mat, and this season is no different. Congratulations to Coach Mitchell and his squad on a tremendous regular season!” 

2023 NAIA MEN’S COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD FINALISTS 
American Midwest Conference: Caleb McElfresh, Missouri Baptist University
Appalachian Athletic Conference: Omi Acosta, Life University
Cascade Collegiate Conference: Joey Martinez, Menlo College
Great Plains Athletic Conference: Jake Stevenson, Morningside College
Heart of America Athletic Conference: Nick Mitchell, Grand View University
Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference: Colby Crank, Ottawa University
Mid-South Conference: James Hicks, Cumberland University
Sooner Athletic Conference: Justin Ensign, Oklahoma City University
Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference: Thomas Pompei, Indiana Tech

ABOUT THE NWCA
The National Wrestling Coaches Association, established in 1928, is a non-profit organization for the advancement of all levels of the sport of wrestling with a primary emphasis on developing coaches who work in academic environments. The three core competencies of the NWCA are: Coaching Development, Student-Athlete Welfare, and the Promotion of Wrestling.