April 1, 2022

JOSH MERKEL WINS 2022 AWARD

NEW ORLEANS, LA -- Randolph-Macon coach Josh Merkel is the 2022 recipient of the Glenn Robinson Award, presented annually to the top Division III basketball coach.

Merkel led the Yellow Jackets to the Division III national championship for the first time in school history. Randolph-Macon defeated Elmhurst 75-45 in the title game.

The Yellow Jackets were 33-1 overall and unbeaten in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. The program is 148-38 in Merkel’s seven seasons as head coach. He also engineered a 12-0 record during the 2020-21 campaign.

Josh Merkel is the first coach or player to win one of CollegeInsider.com awards in consecutive seasons.

The Glenn Robinson Award, which is presented annually to the top Division III basketball coach, is named in honor of the Franklin & Marshall head coach.

The winningest coach in Division III history, Robinson won his 900th game on Jan. 9, 2016. He’s the second Division III coach to spend 1,000 games on the sidelines. He’s directed the Diplomats to 23 NCAA tournament appearances, 42 tournament victories, 16 trips to the Sweet 16 and Final Four visits in 1979, 1991, 1996, 2000 and 2009.

Even more remarkable, Franklin & Marshall was 22-43 in his first three seasons and in the last 45 years all but three players have earned their degree.