The award was first given following the 1982–83 season, the second year of the conference's existence, to Matt Furjanic of Robert Morris.
[1] Howie Dickenman of Central Connecticut has won the most awards with four.
Due to Phelan's success, in 2003 the NEC men's basketball coach of the year award was named in his honor.
[2] Also of note, the only year when the award was shared was in 1993 with Jim Phelan and Kevin Bannon as winners.
Among current members, Wagner has the most by both criteria, with three coaches combining to win five awards.