The National High School Athletic Coaches Association has announced the advancement of Coach David Gentry from Murphy High School as a finalist for the National High School Athletic Coaches Association national coach of the year in the sport of football.

       Eight finalists from across the nation will be honored during The National Coach of the Year Awards Banquet, which will take place at the National High School Athletic Coaches Association’s national convention at the Kahler Grand Hotel in Rochester, MN on the evening of June 20, 2015.

       The highlight of the banquet will be the naming of the NHSACA national coach of the year in nineteen recognized sports categories.

       Gentry was selected based on longevity, service to high school athletics, honors, championship years, and winning percentage.

      The nominees and finalists are evaluated by experts in the field of coaching using a sport-specific rubric to assign points in each category. The National High School Athletic Coaches Association is the oldest coaches association in the nation formed by coaches, for coaches, and has been recognizing national coaches of the year since 1978. 

     Gentry, a member of the Board of Directors of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, was honored by the National Federation last year.