CEDARVILLE, Ohio - Cedarville University Head Coach Pat Estepp has been selected the 2011-12 NCCAA Division I Men’s Basketball National Coach of the Year. He earned the honor in voting conducted by the association’s coaches across the country.

Estepp guided the Yellow Jackets to a 23-9 record and the program’s first NCCAA championship. CU won its three national tournament games by an average margin of nearly 19 points per contest.

With Cedarville in its provisional year of NCAA Division II membership, Estepp set up what was, arguably, one of the most difficult schedules in school history. It featured an 11-game road swing that included trips to Division I Nevada along with three opponents ranked in the Division II Top 10.

Cedarville entered January with a 7-6 record. The Yellow Jackets finished 16-3 and won the NCCAA Midwest Region banner along the way.

Estepp has amassed a 96-35 record in his four seasons as head coach. The Yellow Jackets have won at least 20 games each year.

Estepp, who previously served as an assistant for eight years to Ray Slagle, joins his predecessor as NCCAA National Coach of the Year. Slagle earned the honor in 2003.