After leading the Azusa Pacific women's track & field team to its second national title in the last three years, head coach Jack Hoyt was named the National Coach of the Year, and Andrea Blackett was named the National Assistant Coach of the Year. It is the second time that both Hoyt and Blackett have been selected for the highest national coaching honors, as they earned the recognition in 2021, when the Cougars captured their first NCAA national title.

Hoyt, in his sixth year as Director of Track & Field at Azusa Pacific, led the Cougars to the team title at the 2023 NCAA DII Outdoor Track & Field Championships with 66 points. Scoring in eight events, Azusa Pacific athletes won two events, finished runner-up twice and added two third-place finishes. The Cougars also won the team title at the PacWest Conference Outdoor Championships 246.5 points, winning seven events. Azusa Pacific has now won seven-consecutive PacWest team titles. 

"Jack has done an outstanding job with the track & field program since his arrival," said Azusa Pacific Director of Athletics Gary Pine, "He has elevated our women's program to an elite level nationally. The entire Azusa Pacific community is incredibly proud of the program, as Coach Hoyt, his coaching staff, and his athletes have served as tremendous representatives of the university in their pursuit of athletic excellence."

Blackett is now a three-time national assistant coach of the year, as she was also named the national assistant coach of the year during the indoor season this year. Blackett, in her sixth year as associate head coach at Azusa Pacific, coached Cougar athletes to combine for 41 of the team's 66 points in winning the team title at the NCAA DII Outdoor Track & Field Championships, setting program records in both relays. Her athletes won four events at the Pacific West Outdoor Championships and earned nine All-Region honors. 

"Coach Blackett's sprints, hurdles, and relay squad hit on all cylinders," said Hoyt, "She did a great job developing them through the season and peaking them to be their best when it counted most. Personal bests, and school records in both relays at Nationals says it all."