Geno Auriemma was named the Naismith College Coach of the Year, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced today. John Calipari of Memphis won the men’s award.
“John battled season-long high expectations, while Geno overcame tremendous adversity,’’ Atlanta Tipoff Club president Gary Stokan said. “Yet they combined for 74 wins and Final Four berths and that’s a testament to their tremendous coaching ability.’’
Van Chancellor of LSU, C. Vivian Stringer of Rutgers and Pat Summitt of Tennessee were also finalist for what is considered to be the most prestigious award in the profession. This is the fifth time Auriemma has received the award (1995, 1997, 2000 and 2002), tying Summitt for most all-time.
Auriemma, who swept the national Coach of the Years awards this season, led the Huskies to a 36-2 record. They advanced to the Final Four for the first time since 2004 and also became the first team to sweep the Big East regular season and tournament championships since 2001-02.
Rich
