NABC selects Triton Central's Mark James as Coach of the Year

Triton Central boys basketball coach Mark James has been named the 2026 Outstanding High School Coach by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC).

James (photo, far right) led Triton Central to a program record 23 wins this past season and the program’s second ever regional championship. The Tigers were defeated by eventual state champion Parke Heritage, 44-38, at the Southport Semistate on March 21.

Since its founding in 1927 by Forrest “Phog” Allen, the legendary University of Kansas men’s basketball coach, the NABC has continually worked to advance all levels of basketball and operate as a collective national voice for coaches.

Each year, the NABC honors coaches that are selected via a nationwide vote of NABC-member head coaches. Awards are presented at the conclusion of the seasons at the NCAA Division I, II and II, the NAIA, two-year colleges, and the high school level.

Duke’s Jon Scheyer was named Division I Coach of the Year. Cal State East Bay’s Bryan Rooney was the Division II honoree. St. Thomas (Texas) head coach Anthony Media was the Division III Coach of the Year.

At the NAIA level, Freed-Hardeman’s Drew Stutts was bestowed the award. And Kirkwood’s Tim Sandquist was named the coach of the year for two-year colleges.

The Outstanding High School Coach Award has been presented since 2018. James is the second Indiana coach to be honored. Bloomington South’s J.R. Holmes was selected in 2021.

James just completed his 44^th year as a high school head coach. He is 654-373 in that timeframe and led Ben Davis to the 2018 Class 4A state championship. He was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021 (graphic from Hall of Fame).

James is 55-21 in three seasons at Triton Central.

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