Plainfield North High School men’s and women’s cross country head coach Andrew Derks was named the Illinois High School Association Coach of the Year for the 2023-24 season.
“It makes me feel proud to be recognized, but I truly see this as an award for our entire coaching staff,” Derks said.
“Coach Derks deserves this honor based on not only the success of the program, but also the dedication and commitment he has towards the student athletes,” PNHS Athletic Director Ron Lear said.
Each fall, the National Federation of High Schools (NFHS), which is the national affiliate of the IHSA, conducts a coach of the year program for all NFHS-sanctioned sports.
Each state gets to select one coach for each sport.
After each state selects their choices and notifies the NFHS, the winning coaches will be considered for section awards, followed by the national coach of the year award.
IHSA Assistant Executive Director Kraig Garber nominated Derks because of his program’s climbing success over the past few years.
At the IHSA State Finals in 2021, the program finished 11th overall, which improved to 4th place in 2022. Last year, Coach Derks led his team to a State final runner-up.
The program is also in the top three for the boys’ state rankings for the current season.
“I am very proud that we've been able to get to a very high level competitively without losing our personality or values as a program,” Derks said. “You can be a great team with great runners and do it in a way that is positive, fun and inclusive.”
Derks has been with PNHS since 2011 and took over as head coach 10 years ago.
He says he cannot imagine doing anything else.
“I feel that his leadership is having a positive impact on the student athletes involved in the PNHS cross country program,” Garber said.
“He is a role model for our younger coaches on how to do things right,” Lear said.
Derks says his athletes are positive, hard-working and truly care about each other.
Last year was a special year for Derks as it was the school’s first time combining the men’s and women’s cross country programs.
“There were times where we questioned if it was the right decision, but I am so glad we did,” Derks said. “I think it benefitted both programs being together.”
“This is a well-deserved award, and I am really proud of him and honored to have him as part of our coaching staff,” Lear said.