Deran Coe Wins National Honor

Deran Coe, District Athletic Director for Wake County Public Schools, received the Bruce D. Whitehead Distinguished Service Award from the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA). The award was presented on Monday, December 15, 2025, during the Conference Banquet at the 56th National Athletic Directors Conference held in Tampa, Florida.

The Distinguished Service Award is a prestigious honor presented annually to NIAAA members who have demonstrated exceptional commitment over the course of a long-term career. Recipients exemplify leadership through significant accomplishments at the local, state, and national levels of athletic administration and have made meaningful professional contributions dedicated to enhancing interscholastic athletics for student-athletes and coaches.

In response to receiving this honor, Coe said, “It’s an honor and a privilege to work with great ADs, coaches, athletic trainers, and the entire WCPSS Athletics community. Any recognition I receive for this work belongs in part to every great individual who works hard daily to provide the best experience possible for our students in education-based athletics. “

Coe was recognized for his extensive leadership contributions throughout his career. Including his instrumental role in expanding Unified Sports programs and athletic opportunities for students with disabilities in Wake County. Leading safety initiatives that made Wake County the first large district in the nation to certify all middle and high school football coaches in the Heads Up Football program. He held state leadership roles as an Executive Board member and Past-President of the North Carolina Athletic Directors Association (NCADA). Contributing at the national level as an NIAAA faculty member for Leadership Training Courses (LTI 709) and as a member of the NIAAA Resolutions Committee.

In addition to this national honor, Coe also received the 2025 NCADA Leadership Award of Merit earlier in the year.