Charlotte, NC -National Park (AR) head men's basketball coach Dillon Hargrove has been named the 2023-24 NJCAA Division II Men's Basketball Coach of the Year.
In his 4th season at the helm of the Nighthawks, Hargrove earned his first national championship victory; the first in program history and the first championship for National Park in any sport.
"Dillon has been a great leader for this program since the 20/21 season. This moment has been tireless hours and years in the making. As in institution we can't be more pleased to call Dillon our Head Coach and leader to this exceptional group of young men, said National Park Athletic Director Richard Thompson. This season started last year bringing in White, Punch and Bryant and putting the final pieces to bring the National Championship to Hot Springs".
Coach Hargrove coached two all-tournament team selections in Nakavieon White and Keryn Collins, as well as the 2023-24 NJCAA DIII Men's Basketball Championship Pin Ryan Most Valuable Player, Taylor Harrell and 2023-24 NJCAA DII Men's Basketball Championship Jack Cistriano Best Small Ja'Bryant Hill. In addition, he coached two NJCAA All-Americans; Nakavieon White (First-team), and Ja'Bryant Hill (Second-team).
The Nighthawks were a matchup nightmare for every team they faced. They averaged 91.1 points per game on the offensive side while giving up 74.0 points per game on defense. They complimented that with 5.6 blocks per game (7th in the nation) and 11.8 steals per game (8th in the nation).
When asked to describe Hargrove's coaching style National Park Athletic Director Richard Thompson said "Dillon is cool, calm, and collected on the side of the court and with that comes the ability of great leadership to shine on the floor. He is the utmost professional and we congratulate him on this award and the National Championship".
2023-24 Accomplishments
- 2023-24 NJCAA DII Men's Basketball Championship Title
- 2023-24 NJCAA DII Men's Basketball Coach of the Year
- 2023-24 NJCAA DII Men's Basketball Championship Coach of the Tournament
- Coached NJCAA DII Men's Basketball Championship Tournament MVP – Taylor Harrell
- Coached National Park to a program best 31-1 record in 2023-24.
- Two NJCAA DII Men's Basketball All-America Selections