Herkelman named DI Coach of the Year
Charlotte, NC - After leading Coffeyville (KS) to a national title, long-time head coach Jay Herkelman has been named the 2021 NJCAA DI Men's Basketball Coach of the Year, presented by the Marines.
Herkelman's Red Ravens finished the 2020-21 season with a 27-3 record after defeating Jayhawk East rival Cowley (KS) 108-99 in the national final contest in Hutchinson. Coffeyville earned an at-large berth to the national tournament and competed in the 2021 NJCAA DI Men's Basketball Championship as the tenth-seeded team. While in Hutchinson, the Red Ravens defeated No. 23 Southwest Tennessee, No. 7 Odessa, and No. 2 Northern Oklahoma Tonkawa en route to the championship final. The 2021 NJCAA DI Men's Basketball Championship marked the 18th national tournament berth for the Red Ravens but just their third title game appearance.
During the regular season, Herkelman led his squad to a perfect 14-0 record at home and started the season on a 13-game win streak. Coffeyville ranked among the top-10 in DI men's basketball for the entirety of the season, reaching its highest ranking at No. 2 for three consecutive weeks from February 22 through March 3.
Herkelman coached three student-athletes to receive national tournament honors including Love Bettis and Blaise Keita who were named to the All-Tournament Team and Tylor Perry who was named the William French Most Valuable Player. Perry also received Second Team All-America recognition.
In addition to the latest honor, Herkelman also garnered All-Jayhawk East Coach of the Year and Coach of the Tournament recognition during the 2020-21 season. Herkelman as been at the helm of the Red Ravens program since 1995. In 2002, Herkelman led Coffeyville to its first national tournament appearance in over 20 years where they finished as the national runner-up. In 2018, Herkelman was inducted into the NJCAA Men's Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame and is the winningest men's basketball coach in Region 6 history.
2020-21 Accomplishments
- All-Jayhawk East Coach of the Year
- NJCAA Plains District Champion
- NJCAA DI Men's Basketball Championship Coach of the Tournament
