ARCATA — With the success of his inaugural season four months behind him,  Humboldt State University head men's basketball coach Steve Kinder is back on the recruiting trail, traveling to evaluate talent and looking ahead to the future of his Lumberjack program.

As he has in sculpting another exciting team to put on the floor in 2011-12, Kinder has the program's success on his side in his efforts to lure new players. He also has an ace in his pocket – his own accolades as Collegeinsider.com's recipient of the Clarence Gaines award honoring the NCAA Division II Coach of the Year.

Kinder became aware of the award later than usual, recently learning he'd been honored by the organization that listed its picks in March. Having added the Division II, III and NAIA selections following its previous recognition of Division I coaches, the news from Collegeinsider.com arrived late but is significant in its status.

“When I looked at the company I was among in the listing of coaches honored, I was humbled,” Kinder said. “To be chosen in my first year directing the Lumberjacks is incredible. The whole season was simply amazing.”

The award is named in honor of the former Winston-Salem State head coach. He retired from the school in 1993 with a record of 828-446, which at the time made him the winningest active basketball coach in NCAA history. Kinder was picked from among 13 finalists representing schools across the nation.

Collegeinsider.com's recognition of Kinder is the latest in a series of awards garnered by the Jacks' head man. He was also named National Association of Basketball Coaches West District Coach of the Year and California Collegiate Athletics Association Coach of the Year.

In his first year guiding the program, Kinder directed the Lumberjacks to a 26-4 record. His team claimed the California Collegiate Athletic Association regular season championship.

Humboldt State ranked as high as No. 3 in the national poll, and No. 2 in the West Region poll. Kinder led the Lumberjacks to their 10th NCAA postseason appearance in the past 11 years.

Honored from Division I were a trio of coaches, Tennessee head coach Cuonzo Martin, Belmont's Rick Byrd, and Utah State's Stew Morrill. Concordia University Wisconsin's Shawn Cassidy was selected for Division III, and Martin Methodist head coach Andy Sharpe was winner of the inaugural Jack Bennett Award honoring NAIA coaches.