LINGLE – The National High School Athletic Coaches Association has named Lingle-Fort Laramie track and field coach Mike Lashley as a finalist for the 2019 NHSACA Coach of the Year in the sport of boys’ track and field.
It is the second such honor for the coach, who will be entering his 28th season at the helm of the Dogger program and 30th overall. His first came during the 2012-13 season for the girls’ track and field head coach.
“I consider this to be a great honor just to be considered,” Lashley said. “Just the nomination from the Wyoming Coaches Association is a great honor that they would feel me worthy enough to put me forward at the regional level.”
Lashley – one of eight finalists from across the nation – will be honored during The National Coach of the Year Awards Banquet during the National High School Athletic Coaches Association’s national convention at the Ramkota Hotel in Bismarck, N.D. on June 26.
Lashley was nominated for this national honor by the WCA. His selection was based on longevity, service to high school athletics, honors, championship years and winning percentage.
Once nominated by the WCA, his name was scored against other regional coaches from the same sport with one coach from each of the eight regions across the United States, making up the eight finalists.
Lashley said three things helped him receive this honor for the second time in his career: Longevity, success with great student-athletes and the help around him.
“To have success, you have to have great athletes who are willing to buy in to the culture you are trying to establish in your program,” he said. “Secondly, a huge piece of this program is the other coaches I’ve had in this program with me. Through my entire career, I’ve had some phenomenal coaches.
“That’s how an award like this even comes about. Honestly, it’s got my name on it, but it’s not me. It’s my kids. It’s my assistant coaches. They are the ones who make the difference. They are the ones who earned the potential for this award. I just have to keep the train on the track.”
The nominees and finalists are evaluated by experts in the field of coaching using a sport-specific rubric to assign points in each category.
The National High School Athletic Coaches Association is the oldest coaches’ association in the nation formed by coaches, for coaches, and has been recognizing National Coaches of the Year since 1978.
