Twenty-four high school coaches from across the United States have been named 2024-25 National Coaches of the Year by the NFHS Coaches Association. The awards, given annually since 1982, recognize outstanding coaches in both boys and girls sports with the highest participation rates, as well as in additional categories for spirit and Adapted/Allied/Unified sports.
Among this year’s recipients is Eric Filipek of T.C. Roberson High School in Asheville, North Carolina, who was selected as the National Coach of the Year for baseball. Filipek has led T.C. Roberson to four North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) Class 4A State Baseball Championships during his 15-year tenure, including an unprecedented three consecutive titles. He holds a career record of 313-87 at the school and has won 12 conference championships.
Filipek also founded the Ted E. Tourist Adapted Baseball League at T.C. Roberson more than a decade ago. The league runs every spring for six weeks and provides special-needs players with opportunities to participate in organized games supported by student volunteers.
Filipek describes his coaching philosophy as “Teammates First, Respect for Details and Condition.” He said that his approach is embodied in the RAMS mascot: “Respect the Journey, Accountability, Mission, Perseverance.” Filipek added that he aims to teach students how to handle difficult situations and prioritizes telling them what they “need” to hear rather than what they “want” to hear.
The selection process for these awards involves nominations from state associations affiliated with NFHS. Nominees must complete a profile form detailing their coaching records and community involvement before being considered at sectional and national levels. The NFHS divides its member states into eight geographical sections; winners are chosen through evaluation by sectional representatives and an advisory committee.
In addition to Filipek’s national recognition, Caitlyn Brinker of Union Pines High School was selected as Section 3 Girls Lacrosse Coach of the Year.
This year, nearly one thousand coaches are receiving recognition at state, sectional, or national levels.
The NCHSAA also announced its own list of State Coaches of the Year across various sports for North Carolina:
Baseball – Eric Filipek (TC Roberson)
Men’s Basketball – Jason Ross (Reidsville)
Men’s Golf – Rich Wainwright (Pinecrest)
Men’s Indoor Track – Samuel Willoughby (Mallard Creek)
Men’s Lacrosse – George Benson (Croatan)
Men’s Track – Phill Bush (Corvian Community)
Men’s Soccer – Camden Brooks (Western Alamance)
Men’s Tennis – Junior Huffman (Elkin)
Men’s Wrestling – Brian Gray (Union Pines)
Football – Darryl Brown (Grimsley)
Women’s Basketball – Miranda Long Stamper (Cherokee)
Men’s Cross Country – Bradley Helsel (Lejeune)
Women’s Cross Country – Jerry Castro (North Lincoln)
Women’s Golf – Steve Hudgins (South Point)
Women’s Indoor Track – Donald Davis Jr (Cummings)
Women’s Lacrosse – Caitlyn Brinker (Union Pines)
Women’s Track – TeQuille Jackson (Dudley)
Women’s Soccer – Paul Ebenhoeh (Pine Lake Prep)
Men’s Swim – Jason Cole (Raleigh Charter)
Women’s Swim – David K. Smith (Myers Park)
Women’s Tennis – Christopher Goodman (Terry Sanford)
Women’s Wrestling – Casey Malloy (Jack Britt)
Softball – Casey Justice (South Caldwell)
Volleyball – Tiffany Lowrance (West Henderson)
Cheerleading – Katelyn Nesbitt (South Rowan)
Other national award recipients include coaches from West Virginia, Oregon, Montana, Alabama, Montana again for soccer and wrestling categories, Virginia for swimming/diving and tennis, Texas for track & field and water polo in a special category; as well as honorees from Ohio, Oklahoma, Maryland, New York, Tennessee, Arizona—both in volleyball and Adapted/Allied/Unified sports—and Georgia gymnastics among others.
“The foundation message is ‘Teammates First, Respect for Details and Condition.’ The focus is built into the RAMS mascot: Respect the Journey, Accountability, Mission, Perseverance,” said Eric Filipek about his program values.
For further information on award processes or full lists of honorees by sport or region visit https://www.nfhs.org/who-we-are/nfhs-coaches-association/.
