KANSAS CITY, Mo. - MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) head coach Kevin Wardlaw has been announced as the 2023 Select Sport America NAIA Men’s Soccer Coach of the Year, after he guided the Pioneers to the program's first Red Banner. MNU entered the National Tournament as the 14th seed and upset the third, sixth, and seventh ranked teams en route to the title and an overall record of 17-4-4. 

The Pioneers were the Heart of America Athletic Conference Tournament Runner-Up and claimed their 12th appearance in the NAIA National Championships. Wardlaw had previously led MNU to Runners-Up finish in 2015 and the semifinals in 2012. During their title run, MidAmerica Nazarene outscored the opposition 10-3 and pitched three shutouts. The team was first in the country in shots (327), first in goals scored (55), first in shots on goal (152), first in assists (46), and second in shutouts (8). 

Wardlaw coached First Team All-Americans Jack Price and Jony Munoz as well as Second Team All-American Rick Hovinga this season. Nicolas Theberge was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament as well as Hovinga being recognized as the Outstanding Offensive Player. Enzo Carvalho and Duarte Chapelas joined Theberge, Munoz, and Hovinga on the 2023 NAIA National Championship All-Tournament Team.

The 2023 Select Sport America-NAIA National Coach of the Year is voted on by the NAIA Men’s Soccer Coaches Association and is announced at the annual United Soccer Coaches Convention, taking place in Anaheim, California this year. To be eligible, a head coach must be selected as their conference or unaffiliated group coach of the year or lead their team to the NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship Final Site.