Alabama High School Athletic Association volleyball coaching legend Julie Gordon and multiple state title winner swimming coach Dustin “Dusty” Thomas were among 24 high school coaches from across the country who have been selected as 2023-24 National Coaches of the Year by the NFHS Coaches Association.

The National Federation of State High School Associations, which has been recognizing coaches through an awards program since 1982, honors coaches in the top 10 girls sports and top 10 boys sports (by participation numbers). The NFHS also honors two “other” sports – one for boys and one for girls – that are not included in the top 10 listings. The NFHS also recognizes a spirit coach and an Adapted/Allied/Unified coach in separate award categories. Winners of NFHS awards must be active coaches during the year for which they receive their award. This year’s awards recognize coaches for the 2023-24 school year.