Pictures: Dr. Jeff Nelson
Historical Info: Gregory Sager

CHICAGO, Ill. -- In his first season as a collegiate head coach, North Park's Sean Smith is the 2023 National Coach of the Year, announced by D3Hoops.com on Saturday afternoon. Coach Smith becomes the second North Park coach since decorated head men's soccer coach John Born earned the same award from D3Soccer.com in 2017.

Coach Smith led the Vikings to 24 wins (most since the 1986-87 season), 13 CCIW wins (most since 1990-91 season), the first CCIW Tournament win and Tournament championship win for NPU, the first NCAA playoff appearance since 1990, and concluded the 2022-23 season in the Sweet Sixteen, the first appearance since 1987. His Vikings also made 223 three-pointers (4th best in NPU history) and established new records in ORB (406), DRB (697), steals (376), steals/game (12.5), blocks (90), and turnover margin (+7.63).

"I am beyond humbled and grateful to be named the National Coach of the Year," said Coach Smith. "I consider this a staff award and I would not be in this position without Ed McGhee, Lou Griffith, and Mark Smith. Also, a big thanks to our team who bought in from day one and led North Park to a historic season!"

Other Notable 2023 Team Stats

* 813 FG most since 1990-91

* 1961 FGA most since 1986-87

* 223 made treys 4th highest total in school history

* 480 FT most since 1986-87

* 745 FTA most since 1986-97

* 2,423 pts most since 1986-87

 * 80.77 ppg highest since 1989-90 (6th highest scoring avg in North Park history)

* 1,103 rebounds most since 1991-92

* 36.77 rpg highest since 1996-97

* 416 assists most since 1991-92

* +7.63 highest team turnover margin in CCIW history

* +8.31 highest team turnover margin in CCIW history (CCIW games only )

* 376 steals most in CCIW history, overall games

* 12.53 steals per game most in CCIW history 

* 217 steals most in CCIW history (CCIW games only)

Notable 2023 Individual Stats

* Marquise Jackson ties North Park record for most steals in a season (78)

* Shamar Pumphrey 4th place most steals in a season (71)

* Jordan Boyd 2nd place most blocks in a season (33)

* Jordan Boyd finishes career 5th place in blocks (59)

* Karl Polk Jr. is 8^th all-time blocks (34)

* Adam Bulwa finishes his career 9th place in blocks (33)

* Kolden Vanlandingham 10th place most treys in a season (61)

* Marquise Jackson tied for 9th place for most points in a game (40); he is the tenth Viking in North Park history to record a 40-point game

* 13.56 steals per game most in CCIW history (CCIW games only)

* 45 steals in CCIW games by both Marquise Jackson and Shamar Pumphrey ties record set by Chris Martin of Elmhurst in 2004-05 season

* 78 steals in overall games by Marquise Jackson ties Alex Dimitrijevic of North Park (1993-94) for 2nd place all-time among CCIW players 

Scot Gladstone Interviews Coach Smith (May, 4, 2022)

Coach Smith Cuts Down the Net After 2023 CCIW Tournament Championship