National Coach of the Year Awards
1955
Phil Woolpert, San Francisco (28-1 overall record; 12-0 in California Basketball Association to finish in first place/UPI)
The Dons ascend to an NCAA title after absorbing three consecutive losing seasons from 1950-51 through 1952-53.
1956
Phil Woolpert, San Francisco (29-0; 14-0 in West Coast Athletic to finish first/UPI)
The Dons extend their winning streak to 55 consecutive games en route to another NCAA championship.
1957
Frank McGuire, North Carolina (27-0; 14-0 in ACC to finish first/UPI)
The Tar Heels capture their first ACC regular-season championship. They won 22 games by at least nine points.
1958
Tex Winter, Kansas State (22-5; 10-2 in Big Seven to finish first/UPI)
The Wildcats win the Big Seven championship one year before entering the NCAA Tournament ranked No. 1 in the country.
1959
Eddie Hickey, Marquette (23-6 as an independent/USBWA)
The Warriors, after losing more than 10 games in 11 of their previous 12 seasons, had a 22-3 record in Hickey's first year at their helm until dropping three of last four outings.
Adolph Rupp, Kentucky (24-3; 12-2 in SEC to finish tied for second/UPI)
The Wildcats extend their streak of 20-win seasons to 14 in a row.
1960
Pete Newell, California (28-2; 11-1 in AAWU to finish first/UPI, USBWA)
The Bears' bid to win back-to-back NCAA championships is thwarted by Ohio State in the tourney final.
1961
Fred Taylor, Ohio State (27-1; 14-0 in Big Ten to finish first/UPI, USBWA)
The Buckeyes become the first team to go undefeated in Big Ten competition since Illinois in 1943.
1962
Fred Taylor, Ohio State (26-2; 13-1 in Big Ten to finish first/UPI, USBWA)
The Buckeyes capture their third of five consecutive Big Ten championships.
1963
Ed Jucker, Cincinnati (26-2; 11-1 in Missouri Valley to finish first/UPI, USBWA)
The Bearcats capture their sixth MVC championship in as many seasons as a member of the league.
1964
John Wooden, UCLA (30-0; 15-0 in AAWU to finish first/UPI, USBWA)
The Bruins go undefeated to capture their first of 10 NCAA championships.
1965
Dave Strack, Michigan (24-4; 13-1 in Big Ten to finish first/UPI)
The Wolverines earn their first undisputed Big Ten title since 1948.
Butch van Breda Kolff, Princeton (23-6; 13-1 in Ivy League to finish first/USBWA)
The Tigers win their third consecutive conference title before reaching the Final Four.
1966
Adolph Rupp, Kentucky (27-2; 15-1 in SEC to finish first/UPI, USBWA)
The Wildcats' only regular-season defeat was at Tennessee before bowing to Texas Western in the NCAA Tournament final.
1967
John Wooden, UCLA (30-0; 14-0 in AAWU to finish first/AP, UPI, USBWA)
Only one of the unbeaten Bruins' last 14 opponents scored more than 66 points.
1968
Guy Lewis, Houston (31-2 as an independent/AP, UPI, NABC, USBWA)
The Cougars are undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the country entering the NCAA Tournament.
1969
John Wooden, UCLA (29-1; 13-1 in Pacific-8 to finish first/AP, UPI, NABC)
The Bruins' lone setback is to Southern Cal, 46-44, in their regular-season finale.
Maury John, Drake (26-5; 13-3 in Missouri Valley to finish tied for first/USBWA)
The Bulldogs set a school record for victories just two years after compiling an unsightly 9-16 mark.
1970
John Wooden, UCLA (28-2; 12-2 in Pacific-8 to finish first/AP, UPI, NABC, USBWA)
The Bruins recover in a big way after yielding 87.5 points per game in a late four-game stretch in league play while absorbing both of their losses.
1971
Al McGuire, Marquette (28-1 as an independent/AP, UPI, USBWA)
The Warriors enter the NCAA Tournament undefeated before losing by one point to Ohio State.
Jack Kraft, Villanova (23-6 as an independent/NABC)
The Wildcats, winning more than 20 games for the third consecutive season, reach the Final Four for the first time since 1939.
1972
John Wooden, UCLA (30-0; 14-0 in Pacific-8 to finish first/AP, UPI, NABC, USBWA)
The Bruins score at least 105 points in their first seven outings and never look back.
1973
John Wooden, UCLA (30-0; 14-0 in Pacific-8 to finish first/AP, UPI, USBWA)
The Bruins, going undefeated for the fourth time in 10 years, capture their seventh consecutive NCAA championship.
Gene Bartow, Memphis State (24-6; 12-2 in Missouri Valley to finish first/NABC)
The Tigers reach the Final Four for the first time just three years after going 6-20.
1974
Al McGuire, Marquette (26-5 as an independent/NABC)
The Warriors, with only one senior starter, rank among the top five in both wire-service polls before finishing runner-up in the NCAA Tournament.
Digger Phelps, Notre Dame (26-3 as an independent/UPI)
The Fighting Irish, two years after compiling a 6-20 record, win more than 25 games for one of only two times in school history.
Norman Sloan, North Carolina State (30-1; 12-0 in ACC to finish first/AP, USBWA)
The Wolfpack win the NCAA Tournament after going undefeated in ACC competition for the second consecutive season.
1975
Bob Knight, Indiana (31-1; 18-0 in Big Ten to finish first/AP, UPI, NABC, USBWA)
The Hoosiers are unbeaten until they being eliminated in the NCAA Tournament by Kentucky (92-90).
1976
Bob Knight, Indiana (32-0; 18-0 in Big Ten to finish first/AP, USBWA)
The Hoosiers set a Big Ten record for most consecutive league triumphs en route to becoming the last undefeated Division I team.
Johnny Orr, Michigan (25-7; 14-4 in Big Ten to finish second/NABC)
The Wolverines reach the NCAA Tournament championship game just three years after compiling a 6-8 league record.
Tom Young, Rutgers (31-2 as an independent/UPI)
The Scarlet Knights arrive at the Final Four with an undefeated record. They scored more than 90 points in 15 of their first 16 games on their way to making a Top 20 appearance in a final wire-service poll for the first time in school history.
1977
Bob Gaillard, San Francisco (29-2; 14-0 in WCAC to finish first/AP, UPI)
The Dons win their first 29 games before bowing to Notre Dame in their regular-season finale and UNLV in the opening round of the playoffs.
Dean Smith, North Carolina (28-5; 9-3 in ACC to finish first/NABC)
The Tar Heels reach the Final Four for the fifth time in 11 seasons.
Eddie Sutton, Arkansas (26-2; 16-0 in SWC to finish first/USBWA)
The Razorbacks become the first team to go undefeated in SWC competition since SMU in 1956.
1978
Eddie Sutton, Arkansas (32-4; 14-2 in SWC to finish tied for first/AP, UPI)
The Razorbacks, just four seasons after compiling a 10-16 record, become the first SWC member in 22 years to reach the Final Four.
Ray Meyer, DePaul (27-3 as an independent/USBWA)
The Blue Demons, after compiling a modest 15-12 record the previous season, win more than one NCAA Tournament game for the first time since 1960.
Bill E. Foster, Duke (27-7; 8-4 in ACC to finish second/shared NABC)
The Blue Devils compile their first winning record in ACC competition since 1971 before making their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1966.
Abe Lemons, Texas (26-5; 14-2 in SWC to finish tied for first/shared NABC)
The NIT champion Longhorns win more than 25 games for the first time in school history. They made their first Top 20 appearance in a final wire-service poll since 1963.
1979
Bill Hodges, Indiana State (33-1; 16-0 in Missouri Valley to finish first/AP, UPI)
The Sycamores reach the championship game in their first NCAA Tournament appearance.
Ray Meyer, DePaul (26-6 as an independent/NABC)
The Blue Demons reach the Final Four for the first time since 1943.
Dean Smith, North Carolina (23-6; 9-3 in ACC to finish tied for first/USBWA)
The Tar Heels win their fourth consecutive ACC regular-season championship.
1980
Ray Meyer, DePaul (26-2 as an independent/AP, UPI, USBWA)
The Blue Demons' only regular-season defeat is in double overtime at Notre Dame.
Lute Olson, Iowa (23-10; 10-8 in Big Ten to finish fourth/NABC)
The Hawkeyes win more than 20 games for the first time in school history on their way to reaching the Final Four for the first time since 1956.
1981
Ralph Miller, Oregon State (26-2; 17-1 in Pacific-10 to finish first/AP, UPI, shared NABC, USBWA)
The Beavers go undefeated until their regular-season finale against Arizona State.
Jack Hartman, Kansas State (24-9; 9-5 in Big Eight to finish tied for second/shared NABC)
The Wildcats, just two years after compiling a modest 16-12 record, win their most games in a season since 1959.
1982
Ralph Miller, Oregon State (25-5; 16-2 in Pacific-10 to finish first/AP)
The Beavers capture their third consecutive conference crown.
Don Monson, Idaho (27-3; 13-1 in Big Sky to finish first/NABC)
The Vandals' victories include decisions by at least 19 points away from home against Washington, Washington State, Iowa State, Oregon State and Oregon.
Norm Stewart, Missouri (27-4; 12-2 in Big Eight to finish first/UPI)
The Tigers capture their third of four consecutive outright Big Eight Conference regular-season championships.
John Thompson, Georgetown (30-7; 10-4 in Big East to finish second/USBWA)
The Hoyas, winning at least 20 games for the fifth of 13 consecutive years, reach the Final Four for the first time since 1943.
1983
Lou Carnesecca, St. John's (28-5; 12-4 in Big East to finish tied for first/NABC, USBWA)
The Redmen register at least 28 victories for the first of three times in four seasons.
Guy Lewis, Houston (31-3; 16-0 in SWC to finish first/AP)
The Cougars win 26 consecutive games until they are upset in the NCAA Tournament final.
Jerry Tarkanian, UNLV (28-3; 15-1 in PCAA to finish first/UPI)
The Rebels capture their first of 10 regular-season conference titles in as many years.
1984
Ray Meyer, DePaul (27-3 as an independent/AP, UPI)
The Blue Demons, in Meyer's swan song, register their seventh consecutive season with more than 20 victories.
Marv Harshman, Washington (24-7; 15-3 in Pacific-10 to finish tied for first/NABC)
The Huskies, after posting a 16-15 record the previous year, win their first conference crown since 1953.
Gene Keady, Purdue (22-7; 15-3 in Big Ten to finish tied for first/USBWA)
The Boilermakers compile their 12th consecutive winning league record.
1985
Lou Carnesecca, St. John's (31-4; 15-1 in Big East to finish first/UPI, USBWA)
The Redmen capture their lone undisputed Big East championship.
Bill Frieder, Michigan (26-4; 16-2 in Big Ten to finish first/AP)
The Wolverines win the Big Ten title just two years after compiling a 7-11 league record.
John Thompson, Georgetown (35-3; 14-2 in Big East to finish second/NABC)
The Hoyas win at least 30 games for the third time in four seasons.
1986
Eddie Sutton, Kentucky (32-4; 17-1 in SEC to finish first/AP, NABC)
Three of the Wildcats' four defeats are by a total of just nine points.
Mike Krzyzewski, Duke (37-3; 12-2 in ACC to finish first/UPI)
The Blue Devils establish an ACC record for most victories in a single season.
Dick Versace, Bradley (32-3; 16-0 in Missouri Valley to finish first/USBWA)
The Braves, after compiling a modest 48-39 record the previous three seasons, win their first NCAA Tournament game in more than 30 years. They earned a Top 20 appearance in a final wire-service poll for the first time since 1968.
1987
John Chaney, Temple (32-4; 17-1 in Atlantic 10 to finish first/USBWA)
The Owls become the first Atlantic 10 team to win more than 30 games in a single season.
Tom Davis, Iowa (30-5; 14-4 in Big Ten to finish third/AP)
The Hawkeyes set a school standard for victories just three years after compiling a losing record. Davis was in his first season as their coach.
Bob Knight, Indiana (30-4; 15-3 in Big Ten to finish tied for first/Naismith)
The Hoosiers finish among the top three in league standings for the seventh time in eight seasons.
Rick Pitino, Providence (25-9; 10-6 in Big East to finish tied for fourth/NABC)
The Friars reach the Final Four two years after posting an 11-20 record.
John Thompson, Georgetown (29-5; 12-4 in Big East to finish tied for first/UPI)
The Hoyas rank among the top 10 in the final AP poll for one of six times in a nine-year span.
1988
John Chaney, Temple (32-2; 18-0 in Atlantic 10 to finish first/AP, UPI, NABC, USBWA)
The Owls, leading the nation in field-goal percentage defense, win 32 games for the second consecutive campaign.
Larry Brown, Kansas (27-11; 9-5 in Big Eight to finish third/Naismith)
The Jayhawks are at least four games above .500 in Big Eight play for the fifth time in as many seasons under Brown, then become the first Big Eight team to win a Final Four game in more than 30 years.
1989
Bob Knight, Indiana (27-8; 15-3 in Big Ten to finish first/AP, UPI, USBWA)
The Hoosiers win 21 of 22 games in one sizzling stretch on their way to their fifth conference championship in the decade.
P.J. Carlesimo, Seton Hall (31-7; 11-5 in Big East to finish second/NABC)
The Pirates post their first winning record in conference competition en route to reaching the NCAA Tournament championship game. They made their first Top 20 appearance in a final wire-service poll since 1953.
Mike Krzyzewski, Duke (28-8; 9-5 in ACC to finish tied for second/Naismith)
The Blue Devils win at least 28 games for the second of five consecutive seasons.
1990
Jim Calhoun, Connecticut (31-6; 12-4 in Big East to finish tied for first/AP, UPI)
The Huskies, after finishing at least four games below .500 in league play each of the previous seven seasons, tie Syracuse for first place. They made their first Top 20 appearance in a final wire-service poll since 1965.
Bobby Cremins, Georgia Tech (28-7; 8-6 in ACC to finish tied for third/Naismith)
The Yellow Jackets reach the Final Four for the only time in school history.
Jud Heathcote, Michigan State (28-6; 15-3 in Big Ten to finish first/NABC)
The Spartans win the Big Ten title one year after finishing next to last place.
Roy Williams, Kansas (30-5; 11-3 in Big Eight to finish tied for second/USBWA)
The Jayhawks reach the Final Four after posting a losing record in league play the previous year.
1991
Randy Ayers, Ohio State (27-4; 15-3 in Big Ten to finish tied for first/AP, Naismith, USBWA)
The Buckeyes, after posting a modest 17-13 record the previous season, capture their first league title since 1971.
Mike Krzyzewski, Duke (32-7; 11-3 in ACC to finish first/NABC)
The Blue Devils end their streak of eight trips to the Final Four without a national championship.
Rick Majerus, Utah (30-4; 15-1 in WAC to finish first/UPI)
The Utes, 32-31 over the previous two years, become the only WAC team ever to win 30 games in a single season.
1992
Perry Clark, Tulane (21-8; 8-4 in Metro to finish first/UPI, USBWA)
The Green Wave win a conference title two years after compiling a 4-24 record.
Mike Krzyzewski, Duke (34-2; 14-2 in ACC to finish first/Naismith)
The Blue Devils reach the Final Four for the fifth consecutive season.
George Raveling, Southern Cal (24-6; 15-3 in Pacific-10 to finish second/NABC)
The Trojans, after going a total of 44 games below .500 in Pac-10 play the previous six years, win more than 20 games for the first time since 1974, tying a school single-season mark for most victories.
Roy Williams, Kansas (27-5; 11-3 in Big Eight to finish first/AP)
The Jayhawks, winning at least 27 games for the third of five consecutive seasons, capture their first outright Big Eight crown since 1986.
1993
Eddie Fogler, Vanderbilt (28-6; 14-2 in SEC to finish first in Eastern Division/AP, UPI, NABC, USBWA)
The Commodores, after compiling a 15-15 record the previous year, shatter their school record for most victories in a single season. They made their first Top 20 appearance in a final wire-service poll since 1974.
Dean Smith, North Carolina (34-4; 14-2 in ACC to finish first/Naismith)
The Tar Heels win the NCAA title after reaching the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament for the 13th consecutive season.
1994
Norm Stewart, Missouri (28-4; 14-0 in Big Eight to finish first/AP, UPI)
The Tigers, after finishing in seventh place the previous year, become the first undefeated team in Big Eight Conference competition since Kansas in 1971.
Nolan Richardson, Arkansas (31-3; 14-2 in SEC to finish first in Western Division/Naismith, shared NABC)
The NCAA champion Razorbacks reach the 30-win plateau for the third time in five seasons.
Charlie Spoonhour, Saint Louis (23-6; 8-4 in Great Midwest to finish tied for second/USBWA)
The Billikens, after compiling a 17-40 overall record the previous two years, participate in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1957. SLU won a total of only one Great Midwest game the previous two seasons.
Gene Keady, Purdue (29-5; 14-4 in Big Ten to finish first/shared NABC)
The Boilermakers win the Big Ten title after three consecutive non-winning records in conference competition.
1995
Jim Harrick, UCLA (31-2; 16-2 in Pacific-10 to finish first/NABC, Naismith)
The Bruins set a school record for most victories in a season en route to their first Final Four appearance since 1980.
Kelvin Sampson, Oklahoma (23-9; 9-5 in Big Eight to finish third/AP, USBWA)
The Sooners post their best league record (9-5) and overall mark since 1990.
Leonard Hamilton, Miami, Fla. (15-13; 9-9 in Big East to finish fifth/UPI)
The Hurricanes, winless in conference play the previous year when they lost their first five Big East road games by at least 20 points en route to losing by at least 15 points in one of the two matchups with all nine members, snap a 29-game league losing streak on the road to post the greatest one-season turnaround in Big East history. Hamilton is the first coach of the year not to crack the 20-win plateau.
1996
Gene Keady, Purdue (26-6; 15-3 in Big Ten to finish first/AP, UPI, USBWA)
The Boilermakers become the first school since Ohio State in the early 1960s to win three consecutive Big Ten titles.
John Calipari, Massachusetts (35-2; 15-1 in Atlantic 10 to finish first in Eastern Division/NABC, Naismith)
The Minutemen captured their fifth consecutive Atlantic 10 regular-season and conference tournament championship before reaching the Final Four for the first time in school history. It was light years removed from Calipari's first season as a head coach in 1988-89 when UMass registered its 11th consecutive losing record.
1997
Clem Haskins, Minnesota (31-4; 16-2 in Big Ten to finish first/AP, NABC, USBWA, Wooden)
The Gophers' first league title in 15 years enables Clem The Gem to become the only former NCAA consensus first-team All-America other than legendary John Wooden to later be named national coach of the year.
Roy Williams, Kansas (34-2; 15-1 in Big 12 to finish first/Naismith)
Despite injuries to starting seniors Jacque Vaughn, Scot Pollard and Jerod Haase, the Jayhawks established school records with a 22-0 start and 29 regular-season victories.
1998
Bill Guthridge, North Carolina (34-4; 13-3 in ACC to finish second/NABC, Naismith)
The Tar Heels (34-4) win the most games ever for a first-year coach after he succeeded legendary Dean Smith.
Tom Izzo, Michigan State (22-8; 13-3 in Big Ten to finish tied for first/AP, USBWA)
The Spartans were a major surprise despite being eliminated in the first round of the inaugural Big Ten Tournament. A 99-96 regular-season finale loss to visiting Purdue prevented the Spartans from posting their best conference record in 48 seasons.
Rick Majerus, Utah (30-4; 12-2 in WAC to finish first in Mountain Division/Wooden)
The Utes, despite losing All-American forward Keith Van Horn, became the first WAC team to reach the NCAA Tournament championship game. Majerus' squad is the only one in Final Four history to feature three Academic All-Americans among its regulars.
1999
Cliff Ellis, Auburn (29-4; 14-2 in SEC to finish first in SEC Western Division/AP, USBWA, Wooden)
Earned the Tigers' highest poll ranking ever (#2) en route to school standard for victories. Became the only active coach to hold three different school single-season records for wins at the same time with a minimum of 25 triumphs (previously set similar marks for South Alabama and Clemson).
Mike Krzyzewski, Duke (37-2; 16-0 in ACC to finish first/Naismith, shared NABC)
The Blue Devils posted their third winning streak of at least 23 games in the 1990s en route to becoming the first school to go 16-0 in ACC competition.
Jim O'Brien, Ohio State (27-9; 12-4 in Big Ten to finish second/shared NABC)
The Buckeyes, 1-15 in conference competition the previous season, had the best turnaround in Big Ten history. They tied a school record for most victories.
2000
Larry Eustachy, Iowa State (32-5; 14-2 in Big 12 to finish first/AP, USBWA)
The Cyclones, more than doubling their victory total from the previous season, earned the highest NCAA seed in school history (No. 2 in Midwest Regional). They captured their first conference regular-season championship since 1945 en route to the most wins ever by a Division I school in the state of Iowa.
Gene Keady, Purdue (24-10; 12-4 in Big Ten to finish third/NABC)
The Boilermakers fell one step short of their first Final Four appearance since 1980. They won more than 20 games for the sixth time in their last seven seasons.
Mike Montgomery, Stanford (27-4; 15-3 in Pacific-10 to finish tied for first/Naismith)
From the end of November, the Cardinal was ranked no lower than third in the nation. The team set an NCAA record for field-goal percentage defense (35.2%).
2001
Rod Barnes, Mississippi (27-8; 11-5 in SEC to finish first in West Division/Naismith)
The Rebels got off to their best start since 1936-37 on their way to going from worst to first in the SEC. Ole Miss made its first Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA playoffs en route to its winningest season in school history.
Matt Doherty, North Carolina (26-7; 13-3 in ACC to tie for first/AP)
He led the Tar Heels to a share of the ACC regular-season crown in his first season at his alma mater after one year at Notre Dame. Carolina started its ACC campaign with 11 consecutive victories, which were part of an 18-game winning streak.
Tom Izzo, Michigan State (28-5; 13-3 in Big Ten to tie for first/NABC)
The Wolverines posted the best rebounding margin in the country (15.4) since Alcorn State in 1980 en route to their third consecutive Final Four appearance.
Al Skinner, Boston College (27-5; 13-3 in Big East to finish first in East Division/USBWA)
The Eagles, the nation's most improved team (11-19 record the previous year), went from worst to first in the Big East Conference. They lost 23 consecutive games to Connecticut until whipping UConn, 85-68, on their way to the winningest season in school history.
2002
Ben Howland, Pittsburgh (29-6; 13-3 in Big East to finish first in West Division/AP, Naismith, USBWA)
The Panthers, projected in the preseason to be a second-division team in the Big East Conference, set a school record for victories en route to reaching an NCAA regional semifinal for the first time since 1974.
Kelvin Sampson, Oklahoma (31-5; 13-3 in Big 12 to finish second/NABC)
The Sooners, winning at least 22 games for the fifth consecutive campaign, captured the Big 12 Conference Tournament crown en route to their first trip to the Final Four in 14 years.
2003
Tubby Smith, Kentucky (32-4; 16-0 in SEC to finish first in Eastern Division/AP, NABC, Naismith, USBWA)
First unanimous national coach of the year since Bob Knight in 1975. Smith posted his first undefeated SEC record en route to fifth first-place finish in first six seasons with the Wildcats. They ended regular-season competition atop the AP national poll.
2004
Phil Martelli, St. Joseph's (30-2; 16-0 in Atlantic 10 to finish first in East Division/AP, shared NABC, Naismith, USBWA)
Guided the Hawks to nation's first undefeated regular season since UNLV in 1991.
Mike Montgomery, Stanford (30-2; 17-1 in Pacific-10 to finish first by five games/shared NABC)
Directed the Cardinal to a top two finish in Pac-10 for the eighth consecutive year before leaving to coach the NBA's Golden State Warriors.
2005
Bruce Weber, Illinois (37-2; 15-1 in Big Ten to finish first by two games/AP, NABC, Naismith, USBWA)
The Illini assembled a school-record 29-game winning streak en route to a #1 seed and runner-up finish in the NCAA playoffs.
2006
Roy Williams, North Carolina (23-8; 12-4 in ACC to finish 2nd two games behind Duke/AP, USBWA)
After losing their top seven scorers from the Tar Heels' NCAA titlist, they went 7-1 in ACC road games, capped by an 83-76 triumph at top-ranked Duke in the regular-season finale.
Jay Wright, Villanova (28-5; 14-2 in Big East to tie for first with Connecticut/NABC, Naismith)
Utilizing a four-guard lineup, the Wildcats set a school record for victories in a single season. They spent the entire season ranked in the Top 10 and were rewarded with the program's first NCAA Tournament #1 seed.
2007
Tony Bennett, Washington State (26-8; 13-5 in Pacific-10 to finish 2nd two games behind UCLA/AP, Naismith, USBWA)
Manufactured one of the greatest head coaching debuts in college basketball history, tying the school record for victories in a single season and propelling the Cougars to their first NCAA playoff appearance in 13 years.
Todd Lickliter, Butler (29-7; 13-3 in Horizon League to finish tied for first with Wright State/NABC)
The Bulldogs, nationally-ranked for a school and conference-record 16 consecutive weeks, became the first team in Horizon League history to break into the nation's Top 10. They posted eight victories over squads that advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
2008
John Calipari, Memphis (38-2; 16-0 in C-USA to finish first by four games/Naismith)
The Tigers, fueled by a school-record 26-straight wins to start the campaign, set an NCAA record for most victories in a single season.
Keno Davis, Drake (28-5; 15-3 in Missouri Valley to finish first by two games/AP, USBWA)
Joined his dad (Tom with Iowa in 1987) as the first father-son combination in NCAA history to capture national coach of the year awards. The Bulldogs, featuring a starting lineup with two former walk-ons, cracked the national rankings for the first time in 33 years and captured their first MVC title in 37 years. They won a school-record 21 consecutive games en route to earning the MVC Tournament top seed for the first time.
Bob McKillop, Davidson (29-7; 20-0 in Southern to finish first in South Division by seven games/NABC)
Davidson, advancing to a regional final, won an NCAA playoff game for the first time since 1969. The Wildcats compiled a nation-leading 25-game winning streak en route to their second undefeated season in conference competition in the last four years.
2009
Mike Anderson, Missouri (31-7; 12-4 in Big 12 to finish in third place two games behind Kansas/shared NABC)
The nation's most-improved team (modest 16-16 mark the previous year) posted a school-record win total. The Tigers led the country with 18.4 assists per game and ranked second with 10.2 steals per contest.
John Calipari, Memphis (33-4; 16-0 in C-USA to finish first by four games/shared NABC)
A third consecutive undefeated season in league competition sparked the Tigers to a #1 or #2 seed in the NCAA playoffs for the fourth straight year. He became the first coach in DI history to have four 30-win seasons in a row.
Jamie Dixon, Pittsburgh (31-5; 15-3 in Big East to finish tied for second one game behind Louisville/Naismith)
Earned the school's first-ever #1 seed and the Panthers' most wins in an NCAA playoff (three). Pitt also achieved the consensus #1 national ranking for the first time in school history, set or tied school records for overall and league victories and finished the year with a perfect 19-0 mark at home. With a total of 163 career wins, he set an NCAA record for most victories after six seasons as a head coach.
Bill Self, Kansas (27-8; 14-2 in Big 12 to finish first by one game/AP, USBWA)
After losing all five starters from an NCAA titlist, he captured his fifth straight Big 12 regular-season championship.
2010
Jim Boeheim, Syracuse (30-5; 15-3 in Big East to finish first by two games/AP, NABC, Naismith, USBWA)
The Orangemen, unranked in the preseason, ascended to the top of the national polls. He cracked the 800-win plateau with 28 regular-season triumphs, the most in school history.
2011
Mike Brey, Notre Dame (27-7; 14-4 in Big East to finish second one game behind Pittsburgh/AP, USBWA)
Victory total, buttressed by an 8-3 mark against ranked opponents and going unbeaten at home, was the highest in the modern era of the Irish program.
Steve Fisher, San Diego State (34-3; 14-2 in Mountain West to finish tied for first with Brigham Young/NABC, Naismith)
Guiding the Aztecs to a school-record victory total, the two NCAA playoff wins were the first two in the Division I history of the program.
2012
Frank Haith, Missouri (30-5; 14-4 in Big 12 to finish second two games behind Kansas/AP, USBWA)
With a roster featuring only seven scholarship players, the guard-oriented Tigers won a school-record 14 Big 12 games in their final season as a member of the league before joining the SEC. Sixth individual named national coach of the year in his debut season for a school after serving in a similar capacity the previous campaign with another DI institution.
Tom Izzo, Michigan State (29-8; 13-5 in Big Ten to finish tied for first/NABC)
After beginning the season unranked, the Spartans advanced to a Sweet 16 appearance.
Bill Self, Kansas (31-7; 16-2 in Big 12 to finish first by two games/Naismith)
The Jayhawks, undefeated at home, captured their eighth straight Big 12 regular-season title before finishing runner-up in the NCAA Tournament.
COACH OF THE YEAR CHECKLIST
John Calipari has a golden opportunity at Kentucky to become the only coach ever to capture national coach of the year awards with three different universities. He is one of four coaches to win national coach of the year awards with two different schools--Calipari (Massachusetts and Memphis), Bob Knight (Indiana and Texas Tech), Eddie Sutton (Arkansas and Kentucky) and Roy Williams (Kansas and North Carolina). Sutton (Kentucky '86/after leaving Arkansas) is among five individuals named national coach of the year in their debut season for a school after serving in a similar capacity the previous campaign with another DI institution, joining Eddie Hickey (Marquette '59/St. Louis), Tom Davis (Iowa '87/Stanford), Kelvin Sampson (Oklahoma '95/Washington State) and Matt Doherty (North Carolina '01/Notre Dame).
The only father-son combination in NCAA history to capture national coach of the year awards is comprised of Tom Davis (Iowa in 1987) and Keno Davis (Drake in 2008). Keno Davis, Tony Bennett (Washington State in 2007), Bill Guthridge (North Carolina in 1998) and Bill Hodges (Indiana State in 1979) were named national coach of the year in their first season as a Division I mentor. Following is an alphabetical list of national coaches of the year since 1955:
Coach, School (Years)
Mike Anderson, Missouri (2009)
Randy Ayers, Ohio State (1991)
Rod Barnes, Mississippi (2001)
Gene Bartow, Memphis State (1973)
Tony Bennett, Washington State (2007)
Jim Boeheim, Syracuse (2010)
Mike Brey, Notre Dame (2011)
Larry Brown, Kansas (1988)
Jim Calhoun, Connecticut (1990)
John Calipari, Massachusetts (once/1996) and Memphis (twice/2008 and 2009)
P.J. Carlesimo, Seton Hall (1989)
Lou Carnesecca, St. John's (twice/1983 and 1985)
John Chaney, Temple (twice/1987 and 1988)
Perry Clark, Tulane (1992)
Bobby Cremins, Georgia Tech (1990)
Keno Davis, Drake (2008)
Tom Davis, Iowa (1987)
Jamie Dixon, Pittsburgh (2009)
Matt Doherty, North Carolina (2001)
Cliff Ellis, Auburn (1999)
Larry Eustachy, Iowa State (2000)
Steve Fisher, San Diego State (2011)
Eddie Fogler, Vanderbilt (1993)
Bill E. Foster, Duke (1978)
Bill Frieder, Michigan (1985)
Bob Gaillard, San Francisco (1977)
Bill Guthridge, North Carolina (1998)
Frank Haith, Missouri (2012)
Leonard Hamilton, Miami, Fla. (1995)
Jim Harrick, UCLA (1995)
Marv Harshman, Washington (1984)
Jack Hartman, Kansas State (1981)
Clem Haskins, Minnesota (1997)
Jud Heathcote, Michigan State (1990)
Eddie Hickey, Marquette (1959)
Bill Hodges, Indiana State (1979)
Ben Howland, Pittsburgh (2002)
Tom Izzo, Michigan State (three times/1998, 2001 and 2012)
Maury John, Drake (1969)
Ed Jucker, Cincinnati (1963)
Gene Keady, Purdue (four times/1984, 1994, 1996 and 2000)
Bob Knight, Indiana (four times/1975, 1976, 1987 and 1989) and Texas Tech (once/2007)
Jack Kraft, Villanova (1971)
Mike Krzyzewski, Duke (five times/1986, 1989, 1991, 1992 and 1999)
Abe Lemons, Texas (1978)
Guy Lewis, Houston (twice/1968 and 1983)
Todd Lickliter, Butler (2007)
Rick Majerus, Utah (twice/1991 and 1998)
Phil Martelli, St. Joseph's (2004)
Al McGuire, Marquette (twice/1971 and 1974)
Frank McGuire, North Carolina (1957)
Bob McKillop, Davidson (2008)
Ray Meyer, DePaul (four times/1978, 1979, 1980 and 1984)
Ralph Miller, Oregon State (twice/1981 and 1982)
Don Monson, Idaho (1982)
Mike Montgomery, Stanford (2000 and 2004)
Pete Newell, California (1960)
Jim O'Brien, Ohio State (1999)
Lute Olson, Iowa (1980)
Johnny Orr, Michigan (1976)
Digger Phelps, Notre Dame (1974)
Rick Pitino, Providence (1987)
George Raveling, Southern California (1992)
Nolan Richardson, Arkansas (1994)
Adolph Rupp, Kentucky (twice/1959 and 1966)
Kelvin Sampson, Oklahoma (twice/1995 and 2002)
Bill Self, Kansas (twice/2009 and 2012)
Al Skinner, Boston College (2001)
Norman Sloan, North Carolina State (1974)
Dean Smith, North Carolina (three times/1977, 1979 and 1993)
Tubby Smith, Kentucky (2003)
Charlie Spoonhour, Saint Louis (1994)
Norm Stewart, Missouri (twice/1982 and 1994)
Dave Strack, Michigan (1965)
Eddie Sutton, Arkansas (twice/1977 and 1978) and Kentucky (once/1986)
Jerry Tarkanian, UNLV (1983)
Fred Taylor, Ohio State (twice/1961 and 1962)
John Thompson, Georgetown (three times/1982, 1985 and 1987)
Butch van Breda Kolff, Princeton (1965)
Dick Versace, Bradley (1986)
Bruce Weber, Illinois (2005)
Roy Williams, Kansas (three times/1990, 1992 and 1997) and North Carolina (once/2006)
Tex Winter, Kansas State (1958)
John Wooden, UCLA (six times/1964, 1967, 1969, 1970, 1972 and 1973)
Phil Woolpert, San Francisco (twice/1955 and 1956)
Jay Wright, Villanova (2006)
Tom Young, Rutgers (1976)