Still riding the high of the most successful season in program history, UNC men’s tennis head coach Sam Paul was recognized Wednesday by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association as the National Coach of the Year.

In his 24th season at the helm in Chapel Hill, Paul helped lead the Tar Heels to a school-record 29 wins and their first ever appearances in both the Final Four and NCAA Championship Game.

UNC also finished the season ranked No. 3, which is the team’s highest postseason ranking ever.

Under Paul’s leadership this year, senior Ronnie Schneider was named the ITA Senior of the Year–while freshman William Blumberg won the ITA Freshman of the Year award.

Blumberg–an All-American in both singles and doubles competition–also became the first UNC player to reach the Final Four and Championship Match in the NCAA Singles Tournament.

“In the end it’s really all about the players,” Paul said, of his award. “They’re the ones who made this happen. I’m so proud to be their coach. I just feel really fortunate to be at Carolina and to have these guys.”