SIOUX FALLS, S.D. --- Minnesota State wrestling coach, Jim Makovsky was named the National Wrestling Coaches Association Bob Bubb Coaching Excellence Award winner at this year's NCAA Division II National Championships.

The Bob Bubb Coaching Excellence award is presented annually to an outstanding coach who epitomizes the qualities and characteristics of a role model and mentor for developing young student-athletes.
 
The award is named after long time Clarion wrestling coach and National Wrestling Hall of Fame member Bob Bubb.

"Receiving the Bob Bubb Coaching Excellence Award is an incredible honor, but it's really a reflection of the athletes, colleagues, and community who have shaped me throughout my career," said Makovksy. "Wrestling has always been about more than wins—it's about building character, resilience, and belief in one another. I'm grateful for every athlete who trusted me, every coach who challenged me, and every moment that reminded me why this sport matters. 
 
My purpose in my career has always been providing a student-athlete experience that has a tremendous amount of value for their future lives.  Two types of education: one that teaches them how to make a living and one that teaches them how to make a life!"
 
Earlier this season, Makovsky announced that the 2025-26 season would be his final as the head coach of the Mavericks after 33 years at as the head coach for Minnesota State. 
Makovsky, who has amassed a 327-149-3 record at Minnesota State, is just the third head coach in the 75-year history of the program. Including four seasons at his alma mater, Valley City State, he holds a career record of 350-169-4. His 350 career wins is eighth all-time in NCAA Division II and among active coaches, he has the second most dual victories in Division II.

During his career, Makovsky has mentored 12 national champions and 99 NCAA Division II All-Americans – including two this past weekend. He is a three-time conference coach of the year (2007–09) and guided two conference championship teams — the 2007 North Central Conference champions and 2009 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference champions. Last month he was named NCAA Division II Region Coach of the Year, an award he also won in 2019.

Makovsky's teams have produced 19 top ten national finishes and won three straight NCAA Division II Super Region Three championships from 2007 to 2009. Minnesota State notched national runner-up finishes in 1992-93 and 2007-08.