NACC’s Guthrie named NJCAA South District Coach of the Year

The accolades continue to roll in for the Northeast Alabama Community College softball program.

NACC head softball coach Joe Guthrie was named the 2026 NJCAA South District Coach of the Year during the National Junior College Athletic Association World Series Banquet at the Talladega Motor Speedway Sunday night.

In just the program's second season, NACC has vaulted onto the national scene. The Mustangs have a 51-4 record this season, won the Alabama Community College Conference's regular-season and tournament championships, were the NJCAA Region 22 champions and are the No. 3 seed for the NJCAA Division I Softball World Series, which began play today and runs through Saturday at Choccolocco Park in Oxford.

Guthrie said the award recognizes the efforts of everyone within the NACC softball program rather than those of just one individual.

"I give credit to (assistant coaches) Jimmy Kolaitis and Courtnay Foster, (NACC president) Dr. (David) Campbell and our players," Guthrie said. "I am very proud of them and look forward to the opportunity to compete and win a national championship this week."

NACC's opening game in the double-elimination NJCAA Division I Softball World Series is Tuesday at 1:15 p.m. on Field 2 against either Gaston (N.C) or Wabash Valley (Ill.). 

The complete bracket with game times each day can be viewed by clicking here.

Guthrie was also previously named the 2026 ACCC Division I Softball Coach of the Year, and the NACC coaching staff was named the 2026 TEC/National Fastpitch Coaches Association NJCAA South Regional Coaching Staff of the Year. The national coaching staff of the year award will be announced June 8.