High Point's Mike Esposito Receives Southeast Coach of the Year Honors
By High Point Athletics
NEW ORLEANS, La. – The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced the regional Athletes and Coaches of the Year for the 2026 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field season. High Point University's Director of Track & Field,
Mike Esposito was voted the Men's Southeast Regional Coach of the Year.
Award winners were determined by a vote of USTFCCCA member coaches following the conclusion of the 2026 NCAA DI Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. Performances from both the NCAA Championships and the regular season were considered. Only those individuals from USTFCCCA member programs are eligible for awards.
SOUTHEAST REGION — Mike Esposito — High Point
During Coach Esposito's final season as the Panthers head coach, he helped guide HPU to its sixth straight Big South Championship team title after winning five events and scoring 263.5 points. Following the Big South Championships, the staff was named the Coaching Staff of the Year. The Panthers had 11 qualifiers go to the NCAA DI East First Rounds, and after qualifying three athletes to the NCAA DI Championships, two athletes earned All-American honors.
Coach Esposito will retire at the end of June after 21 years at the helm. In his 21 years, he has been named a 16-time Big South Track and Field Coach of the Year and a 2-time Big South XC Coach of the Year. He has guided HPU to five Big South Men's Indoor Track & Field Championships, five Big South Women's Indoor Track & Field Championships, six Big South Men's Outdoor Track & Field Championships, six Big South Women's Outdoor Track & Field Championships and two Big South Cross Country Championships. Thirty-two athletes have advanced to the NCAA Championships under his leadership, with 24 athletes named NCAA All-Americans.