SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Barry University's George Samuel was named the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Men's Tennis National Coach of the Year Tuesday.
It is the second time in Samuel's 22-year coaching career he's received the honor. He also won the award in 1999.
"It's a good feeling of personal satisfaction that I was always hoping to achieve again," Samuel said. "There's a lot of good coaches out there. It's been quite a few years since I won the award the last time. So receiving this now, it's a good feather in my cap, so to speak."
Samuel won the 2010 National Championship. He's coached five teams to national runner-up finishes. This year, he also won South Region and Sunshine State Conference Coach of the Year honors. He's won the league coaching honor 13 times in his storied career.
Earlier this season, Samuel collected his 400th career victory as men's coach. He's guided the Buccaneers to their first undefeated regular season in school history and a No. 1 national ranking. Barry is 25-0 entering Wednesday's Round of 16 match against Northwood in the NCAA Championships.
"It was nice to be congratulated by all the other coaches at the national banquet," Samuel said. "This award is special because it's a national award, and it's great to be recognized by your peers on a national level."
Samuel, who's built the Buccaneers into a national power, has arguably the deepest team in the Barry program's history. He's also been the beneficiary of a talented assistant coaching staff, including Thomas Hipp, Kern Pedersen, Frederic Bonal and Francisco Sigaud.
"It's also a large part of my assistant coaches that this honor comes to be," Samuel said. "If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be as successful as I am."