[Strikeout King]

NEW ORLEANS, LA – The University of Kentucky head coach John Calipari, one of only two multiple Naismith winners, is among four finalists for the 2010 Naismith Men’s College Coach of the Year[Image: http://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/2_bing.gif] as announced by the Atlanta Tipoff Club Thursday.


The first-year Kentucky coach has led his squad to 32-2 record (14-2 in conference), and the Southeastern Conference tournament[Image: http://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/2_bing.gif] championship – the school’s first since 2005. He has now captured five consecutive conference tournament championships and regular season titles as a head coach. He also won 30 games for the fifth straight year, the only coach in NCAA Division I history to do so. Calipari won the Naismith award most recently at Memphis (2008) and also at Massachusetts (1996). The resurgent Wildcats earned the number-one seed in the East Region of the NCAA Tournament.


Calipari is joined by three would-be first-time Naismith honorees in Steve Alford (New Mexico), Jim Boeheim (Syracuse) and Frank Martin (Kansas State). Those four make up the final ballot for the most prestigious national award presented annually to the top men’s college basketball coach. The winner will be announced in early April.


The finalists were voted on by the Atlanta Tipoff Club’s National Voting Academy, comprised of leading basketball journalists, coaches and administrators from around the country. The academy based its criteria on coaching performances this season.




http://www.wkyt.com/uk/headlines/88447197.html

[Westside]

I think Calipari deserves it.

[hellbilly]

How come Kevin Stallings isn't in the mix? He's supposed to have did better than Cal this year, right? lol His hind-end is heading back to Nashville w/ a first round L right about now, haha. Cal gets a chance to send another TN school back home tonight.

Cal, IMO, has done very well w/ this young team this year. Took a #4 seed in the NIT last year to a #1 seed in the big dance this year, and it ain't over yet. I think he deserves the COY award IMO.

[catfan1]

How come Kevin Stallings isn't in the mix? He's supposed to have did better than Cal this year, right? lol His hind-end is heading back to Nashville w/ a first round L right about now, haha. Cal gets a chance to send another TN school back home tonight.

Cal, IMO, has done very well w/ this young team this year. Took a #4 seed in the NIT last year to a #1 seed in the big dance this year, and it ain't over yet. I think he deserves the COY award IMO.

:1: This should be a no brainer, Cal wins by far!!

[back_in_black]

He turned this program around

[Overrated]

Of course Jimmy B deserves this with what he has done with The Orange.

[outdoorsman43]

Of course Jimmy B deserves this with what he has done with The Orange.

Very funny. :eyeroll:

[Overrated]

Very funny. :eyeroll:

In a way I was being sarcastic to get a few people worked up over that.. But you could make a real good case to give the award to Jim.

[outdoorsman43]

In a way I was being sarcastic to get a few people worked up over that.. But you could make a real good case to give the award to Jim.

You could make a pretty good case. I would be all for Jim Boeheim to get the award because of how he took a team predicted to finish 6th in the Big East to a number one seed in the NCAA Tournament, but what Coach Cal has done cannot (shouldn't, but probably will) be denied. Cal took an NIT team, brought in one of the best recruiting classes ever and made them a powerhouse in one year. Top all that off with his job being the toughest coaching job in America and actually living up to the almost impossible expectations so far. Now, that's amazing. Could any other coach in America have done it?

I really don't think it matters though. I think the award will indeed go to Jim Boeheim. He is really liked throughout the college basketball world and that should get him enough votes. Heck, I even like Coach Jim. Still though, I don't think anyone could have topped what Coach Cal did this season.