Michael Smith, Northern Arizona: 2021 NCAA Division I Men’s Cross Country National Coach Athlete of the Year

Michael Smith, in his fifth year as head coach at Northern Arizona, led the Lumberjacks to the team title at the 2021 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships in a dominant effort. NAU’s entire scoring lineup earned All-America honors as Abdihamid Nur (seventh), Nico Young (11^th), Drew Bosley (13^th), George Kusche (37^th) and Brodey Hasty (39^th) all finished in the top-40. It turned out to be a 45-point victory for the Lumberjacks in Tallahassee, Florida. Earlier in the season, NAU finished runner-up at the Mountain Region Championships and topped the podium at three different notable meets (Big Sky Championships, FSU Invite/Pre-National Invitational and the Cowboy Jamboree).