Mr. Doug Jager Named National High School Athletic Coach Association

Coach of the Year in Girls Cross Country

The National High School Athletic Coaches Association (NHSACA), a professional organization dedicated to school coaches and athletic directors, has honored Mr. Doug Jager of Grand Rapids Christian School as the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Coach of the Year for Girls Cross Country.

Mr. Jager received this prestigious award on June 25, 2025, at the NHSACA Annual Conference, held at the Ramkota in Rapid City, South Dakota. The conference brought together over 500 coaches and athletic directors from across the nation.

This recognition is a testament to Grand Rapids Christian School's commitment to excellence and Mr. Jager’s exceptional contributions to the sport. Nominations for this esteemed award are put forth by a coach's respective sport association in collaboration with the Michigan High School Coaches Association.

The NHSACA's selection of Mr. Jager underscores his significant positive impact on his school and community. Coach of the Year recipients are chosen based on their program's sustained performance and their broader contributions to their sport, school, and community. Earning this national honor as the Girls Cross Country Coach of the Year from a field of nominees representing the entire nation is a remarkable achievement.

The NHSACA, a 62-year-old association with nearly 335,000 members, serves athletic administrators and coaches at all levels across high schools and junior high/middle schools throughout the United States. In partnership with the Michigan High School Coaches Association, the National High School Athletic Coaches Association is dedicated to promoting the educational value of interscholastic athletics and highlighting the vital roles of athletic administrators and coaches. Both organizations proudly recognize Mr. Doug Jager as an individual whose work and values exemplify the highest standards of the association. 

Congratulations, Doug! So well deserved! Your years of dedication, quiet strength, and steady leadership have shaped not only incredible runners but also remarkable young people. Thank you for pouring your heart into this sport and into every student who had the privilege of calling you 'coach.' National Coach of the Year is the perfect recognition for a true legend!