Carbondale Reporter

As the NCAA college basketball season concludes, Scott Nagy, head men's basketball coach at Southern Illinois University, has been honored with the John Lotz "Barnabas" Coaching Award. This annual award celebrates a coach embodying a commitment to Christ, integrity, and encouragement, as well as leading a balanced life. It is named after former North Carolina assistant and Florida head coach John Lotz.

"Scott Nagy truly embodies the heart and values of the John Lotz Award — commitment to Christ, integrity, and a passion for encouraging others," said Shane Williamson, FCA President and CEO. "Coach Nagy's leadership goes beyond the X's and O's, shaping lives both on and off the court by living out his faith with unwavering purpose."

Nagy, a three-time Horizon League Coach of the Year, assumed his current role at Southern Illinois University in March 2024. He previously served as head coach for Wright State men's basketball team for eight years, achieving significant milestones including a 20-win season and an NCAA Tournament appearance. Nagy's leadership also earned him the distinction of being the 61st active NCAA head coach to reach 500 wins.

Horizon League Conference Commissioner Mark D. Commes remarked, "Scott has strong personal and team discipline and is not afraid to make difficult decisions. He consistently wins games, goes to postseason tournaments and you will never be embarrassed by his behavior or comments after a tough loss."

Supporting Nagy's receipt of the award, FCA SE Detroit Representative Glynn Blackwell highlighted, "Because of his demonstration of servant leadership to his players and his compassion for others. Scott has a heart for people, as 18 years ago he and [his] wife adopted a girl from Haiti."

Nagy is known for integrating faith into his coaching, aligning with FCA values of integrity, serving, teamwork, and excellence. His mission trips with Samaritan's Feet to locations including Haiti and Zimbabwe involve team building and community service.

Manny Ohonme, co-founder, CEO, and President of Samaritan's Feet, noted, "Scott is an amazing example of a servant leader, not only with his team, but also within Wright State University, the community of Dayton, Ohio, and abroad. Throughout my years of knowing Scott, he has continuously shown the love of Christ through his compassionate words and actions."

Nagy expressed his gratitude for the award, saying, "It is an honor to receive this award as part of the legacy it represents," emphasizing the importance of guiding players in their spiritual journey over mere wins and losses.

For updates on the Salukis, fans can visit SIUSalukis.com or follow the team on various social media platforms.