Whitaker is Coach of the Year

Whitaker is Coach of the Year

Coach James Whitaker consults an assistant on the sidelines.

Columbia International University Men’s Head Soccer Coach James Whitaker has been named National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) South Region Coach of the Year. The award is determined by the votes of the coaches within the region.  

Whitaker is in his third year as head coach of the CIU Rams, building the team from scratch. CIU began its first season of intercollegiate athletic competition in 2012.  

Whitaker says it’s a great honor to be recognized by his fellow coaches.

“It’s exciting. It’s humbling,” Whitaker said. “I think it’s a tribute to our guys who have worked hard this year, and the good year we’ve had as a team.”

The Rams finished the season with a record of 11-5-2.

CIU Athletics Director Kim Abbott calls the award “quite an honor.”

“With a program only in its third year, what a tremendous tribute to Coach Whitaker’s hard work, organization, and progress made here at CIU.”