What has been a good year for James Stinson just got a little better. On Wednesday, the Livingstone College head coach was named Division II “Big House” Gaines Coach of The Year. Stinson and the Blue Bears set a new record for wins (22) and qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history. Harvard’s Tommy Amaker won the Division I award.
The award, named after legendary Winston-Salem State head coach Clarence “Big House” Gaines, is given every year to the most outstanding coach at the Division I and Division II levels. The announcement was made on Wednesday by Dave Goren, executive director of the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association & Hall of Fame.
Stinson led the Blue Bears to the CIAA championship game for the second time in three seasons in 2013. Prior to Stinson’s arrival, Livingstone had never made an appearance in the championship game. With last season’s leading scorers Mark Thomas (17.7 ppg) and Jody Hill (14 ppg) returning, Livingstone should be the team to beat in the CIAA’s Southern Division next season.