Mills Named National Coach of the Year

Dallas College North Lake men's basketball coach Josh Mills was named the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III Coach of the Year.

In his second year overseeing the Blazers' program, Mills led North Lake to a national championship – his first as a head coach. North Lake beat host Herkimer College, 74-61, in the NJCAA Division III Championship game. That capped off a 29-4 season.

"Our basketball program has a strong tradition, and Coach Mills has taken over this program the past two seasons, and protected that tradition," North Lake Athletic Director Greg Sommers said. "He will, no doubt, carry on the tradition through his integrity and knowledge."

North Lake went 10-0 in the Dallas Athletic Conference for the second straight season, and finished the year, riding a 23-game winning streak. The Blazers were 16-0 at home for the second straight season to extend their winning streak to 32-0 in the Blazer Dome under Mills.

The Blazers' national title is the fifth in program history – the most of any NJCAA level in men's basketball. Mills has been a part of three of those national crowns – the first two as an assistant coach.

Also named the DAC Coach of the Year for the second straight season, Mills has also coached at Highland Community College, Independence Community College, Texas Tech University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Wake Forest University and Ranger College.

Mills, who grew up in Irving, attended North Lake, and served as a student assistant coach. He coached the Blazers' first National Player of the Year Chris Agwumaro during the 2005-06 national championship team.

"Coach Mills is a great community member as well," Sommers said. "He hosts local elementary schools at our home games, and even travels to their campuses to put on basketball clinics and serve the community with the team."

In two seasons at the helm, Mills' teams have gone 54-12 with back-to-back DAC championships and trips to the national tournament.

"Coach Mills is very motivated. He has a tireless motor," Sommers said. "Hopefully we are blessed enough to keep him here as part of our community and team at Dallas College North Lake, and win more championships and awards like this one."