Naismith College Coach of the Year
| Awarded for | the most outstanding men's and women's basketball head coaches in NCAA Division I |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Presented by | Atlanta Tipoff Club |
| History | |
| First award | 1987 |
| Most recent | Rick Pitino, St. John's (men) Cori Close, UCLA (women) |
| Website | Official website |
The Naismith College Coach of the Year Award (officially known for sponsorship reasons as the Werner Ladder Naismith College Coach of the Year) is an award given by the Atlanta Tipoff Club to one men's and one women's NCAA Division I head college basketball coaches each season.[1] The award, created in 1987, was originally given to the two winning coaches of the NCAA Division I basketball tournament for the first two years of its existence.[2] In 1989, the Naismith Award's governing board switched to a voting process to determine the winners.[3]
The men's side has had five multiple-time winners: John Calipari and Mike Krzyzewski with three each, and Tony Bennett, Mark Few, and Jay Wright with two each. On the women's side, there have also been five multiple-time winners: Geno Auriemma with eight, Pat Summitt with five, Dawn Staley with four, and Muffet McGraw and Tara VanDerveer with three each.
Key
| Coach (X) | Denotes the number of times the coach has been awarded the Naismith Coach of the Year Award at that point |
| W, L, W % | Total wins, total losses, win percentage |
| Finish | Postseason tournament result |
| * | Denotes national championship season |
Winners
- a On May 8, 1997, the NCAA Executive Committee voted to negate the Minutemen's 1996 NCAA tournament record, for Marcus Camby's acceptance of agents' improper gifts.[77] The 35–2 record was reduced to 31–1, and the UMass slot in the Final Four is officially denoted as vacated.[77]
- b An NCAA investigation determined that Derrick Rose had forfeited his eligibility because the Educational Testing Service voided his SAT Reasoning Test score which made him eligible to play.[78] The NCAA also determined that even without the questions about Rose's SAT score, Rose would have lost his eligibility in December 2007 due to his brother being allowed to travel with the team for free.[78] All 38 wins and one 2008 NCAA tournament loss were subsequently vacated by the NCAA for rules violations, leaving the team with an official record of 0–1.[78]
- c The NCAA men's tournament expanded to 68 teams starting in 2011, with the last four teams earning bids into the tournament set in competition with one another via "First Four" play-in games.[79] The 'Second Round' then became more commonly referred to as 'Round of 32' for specificity. On the women's side, 2022 was the first NCAA tournament in which 68 teams earned bids.[80]
- d The COVID-19 pandemic caused the 2019–20 men's and women's seasons to be canceled prior to any national postseason tournaments occurring.[81][82]
See also
References
- ^ "Olson is a finalist for Naismith coaching award". The Arizona Republic. Phoenix, Arizona. March 1, 2001. p. 40. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
Arizona coach Lute Olson is one of 20 finalists for the Naismith College Basketball Coach of the Year Award, which is selected by the Atlanta Tipoff Club.
- ^ a b c Boatman, Kim (April 1, 1987). "Summitt, Knight named coaches of the year". Knoxville News Sentinel. Knoxville, Tennessee. p. 37. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
For the first time, the Atlanta-based Naismith Committee will present men's and women's coaches-of-the-year awards to the two winning coaches.
- ^ "History". NaismithTrophy.com. Atlanta, Georgia: Atlanta Tipoff Club. December 24, 2025. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
In 1989, the governing board changed the selection criteria to the voting process used today...
- ^ Maxie, Darryl (April 7, 1988). "Tipoff Club honors Manning, Brown tonight". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Atlanta, Georgia. p. 78. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Duke's Krzyzewski named Naismith Coach of the Year". The Herald. Jasper, Indiana. March 29, 1989. p. 33. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Tech's Cremins honored as Naismith Coach of the Year". The Telegraph. Macon, Georgia. March 29, 1990. p. 24. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Ayers, Naismith coach of year". Greenfield Daily Times. Greenfield, Ohio. March 29, 1991. p. 8. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Past Winners". NaismithTrophy.com. Atlanta, Georgia: Atlanta Tipoff Club. December 24, 2025. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
- ^ "Dean Smith is Naismith coach of year". The News & Observer. Raleigh, North Carolina. April 2, 1993. p. 29. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Arkansas–UA familiar rivals". The Times. Trenton, New Jersey. March 29, 1994. p. 24. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "UCLA's Harrick named Naismith coach of year". The Blade. Toledo, Ohio. March 27, 1995. p. 16. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Camby and Calipari clean up". The Boston Globe. Boston, Massachusetts. March 14, 1996. p. 65. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Still a great year". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. March 30, 1997. p. 68. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Guthridge, Smith share spotlight". The News & Observer. Raleigh, North Carolina. March 28, 1998. p. 37. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Brand, Krzyzewski are honored". The Sacramento Bee. Sacramento, California. March 29, 1999. p. 23. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Maxie, Darryl (April 9, 2000). "Naismith ceremony has Volunteer theme". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Atlanta, Georgia. p. 53. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Falkoff, Robert (March 22, 2001). "Barnes focuses on his team, its battle plan for Arizona". The Clarion-Ledger. Jackson, Mississippi. p. 15. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Pitt, Kent State a surprise matchup". The Globe. Worthington, Minnesota. March 20, 2002. p. 10. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Another award for Smith". Courier Journal. Louisville, Kentucky. April 3, 2003. p. 45. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Jerardi, Dick (March 30, 2004). "Following in Nelson's footsteps Martelli picks up a Naismith". Philadelphia Daily News. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. p. 66. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Weber voted top coach". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. March 25, 2005. p. 70. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Zags selected for Hall of Fame Challenge". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. April 4, 2006. p. 20. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "College Hoops – Men's Basketball Naismith Coach of the Year". The Free Lance–Star. Fredericksburg, Virginia. April 3, 2020. p. B4. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Calipari named Naismith National Coach of the Year". Press-Register. Pascagoula, Mississippi. May 10, 2008. p. 14. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Pitt coach honored". El Paso Times. El Paso, Texas. April 10, 2009. p. 23. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Boeheim wins Naismith coach of year". Bangor Daily News. Bangor, Maine. April 7, 2010. p. 10. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Smith, Mark (April 10, 2011). "The Coaching Scramble". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque, New Mexico. p. 22. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Jayhawks' Self named Naismith Coach of the Year". Northwest Herald. Crystal Lake, Illinois. April 2, 2012. p. 14. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Romero, Iliana (April 9, 2013). "UM's Larranaga collects another award". Sun Sentinel. Deerfield Beach, Florida. p. C1. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "McDermott, Marshall earn national honors". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Honolulu, Hawaii. April 7, 2014. p. B3. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "UK's Calipari named Naismith Coach of the Year for 3rd time". Kentucky New Era. Hopkinsville, Kentucky. April 6, 2015. p. 13. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Gelston, Dan (April 13, 2016). "National champs Wildcats bask in celebratory perks". Courier-Post. Cherry Hill, New Jersey. p. C7. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Pell, Samantha (April 7, 2017). "Mercury VP Meyers Drysdale is hailed as sports trailblazer". The Arizona Republic. Phoenix, Arizona. p. A7. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Tony Bennett named Naismith Men's Coach of the Year". The Daily Progress. Charlottesville, Virginia. April 2, 2018. p. 9. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Sources: Barnes staying in Knoxville". Portage Daily Register. Portage, Wisconsin. April 9, 2019. p. A4. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Meehan, Jim (April 3, 2021). "Few named Naismith, NABC coach of the year". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. p. B5. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Koch, Bill (April 5, 2022). "PC's Cooley wins Naismith Coach of the Year award". The Burlington Free Press. Burlington, Vermont. p. B3. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Robinett, Kellis (April 4, 2023). "Tang shares K-State's recruiting priorities for next season". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. p. B4. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Aruda, Joe (April 9, 2024). "Hurley relishes experience of coaching son at UConn". The Morning Call. Allentown, Pennsylvania. p. C001. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Sblendorio, Peter (April 7, 2025). "Red Storm's Pitino named Naismith Coach of the Year". New York Daily News. Jersey City, New Jersey. p. 41. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Naismith coach honors go to Brown, Barmore". Corpus Christi Caller-Times. Corpus Christi, Texas. April 6, 1988. p. 9. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Cour, Jim (April 1, 1989). "Tennessee to battle in Women's Final Four this weekend in Tacoma". The Baxter Bulletin. Mountain Home, Arkansas. p. 9. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Chapin, Dwight (April 1, 1990). "Stanford coach has studied way to top". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. p. 184. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "College basketball". Miami Herald. Miami, Florida. March 30, 1991. p. 21. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Maryland's Weller is named Naismith Coach of the Year". The Baltimore Sun. Baltimore, Maryland. April 3, 1992. p. 30. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Stringer voted top coach". The Des Moines Register. Des Moines, Iowa. April 3, 1993. p. 20. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Summitt wins Coach of Year award". Kingsport Times-News. Kingsport, Tennessee. April 13, 1994. p. 14. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Elsberry, Chris (March 27, 1995). "Nation's best – Lobo, Auriemma Naismith winners". Connecticut Post. Bridgeport, Connecticut. p. 17. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Korth, Joanne (March 30, 1996). "Georgia stops Stanford 86–76". Tampa Bay Times. St. Petersburg, Florida. p. 38. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Altavilla, John (April 1, 1997). "Auriemma looking for physical team". Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. p. 171. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Honors". The Tennessean. Nashville, Tennessee. March 29, 1998. p. 41. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Basketball awards". Kitsap Sun. Bremerton, Washington. December 25, 1999. p. 15. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ McLoughlin, Rachel (April 10, 2000). "Coach promises 3rd national title". Connecticut Post. Bridgeport, Connecticut. p. 46. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "McGraw picked as top coach". The Charlotte Observer. Charlotte, North Carolina. March 22, 2001. p. 16. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Auriemma receives award". Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. March 28, 2002. p. 317. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Duke's Goestenkors picks up honors". The Herald-Sun. Durham, North Carolina. April 1, 2003. p. 2. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "After 30 years, Summitt hasn't slowed down". Minnesota Star Tribune. Minneapolis, Minnesota. April 4, 2004. p. SB6. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Chatman named Naismith Women's College Coach of the Year". Leesville Daily Leader. Leesville, Louisiana. March 22, 2005. p. 6. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Basketball awards – college". The Herald-Palladium. St. Joseph, Michigan. December 31, 2006. p. D6. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Vertuno, Jim (April 6, 2007). "Coach G, Horns in it for long haul". San Angelo Standard-Times. San Angelo, Texas. p. 5. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Auriemma named Naismith Coach of the Year". The Day. New London, Connecticut. April 10, 2008. p. 13. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Altavilla, John (April 8, 2009). "Auriemma Wins Naismith For 6th Time". Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. p. B06. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Nyatawa, Jon (May 15, 2010). "Nebraska women's coach Yori gets raise, contract extension". Kearney Hub. Kearney, Nebraska. p. 17. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "College basketball". Oakland Tribune. Oakland, California. April 7, 2011. p. 20. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Baylor's Mulkey adds Winged Foot award". Waco Tribune-Herald. Waco, Texas. May 9, 2012. p. 18. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Altavilla, John (April 8, 2014). "Women's basketball notebook". Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. p. C6. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Hit or miss: Hit". The Times. Trenton, New Jersey. April 11, 2015. p. 8. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Pregame honors". Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. November 6, 2017. p. C4. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Schaefer, Mississippi State agree to four-year extension". The Enterprise-Tocsin. Indianola, Mississippi. July 12, 2018. p. A15. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Batterson, Steve (April 7, 2019). "Gustafson, Bluder take women's basketball honors". Globe Gazette. Mason City, Iowa. p. B4. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Rice, Jim (April 3, 2020). "Staley named Naismith Coach of the Year". Anderson Independent-Mail. Anderson, South Carolina. p. B1. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Stanford's Tara VanDerveer wins Naismith award for third time". Grand Forks Herald. Grand Forks, North Dakota. April 3, 2021. p. 18. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Boston, Staley earn national honors". The Times and Democrat. Orangeburg, South Carolina. April 1, 2022. p. B1. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Iowa's Clark wins Naismith; Boston, Staley honored". The Wichita Eagle. Wichita, Kansas. March 31, 2023. p. B2. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Haltom, Rodney (April 11, 2024). "South Carolina wins 2024 women's national title". Eufaula Indian Journal. Eufaula, Oklahoma. p. B3. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "USC star Watkins wins Naismith Trophy". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. April 3, 2025. p. B009. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
UCLA's Lauren Betts, a finalist for the Naismith Trophy, was named women's defensive player of the year, and the Bruins' Cori Close was selected as women's coach of the year.
- ^ a b McKnight, Johnnie Ray (July 24, 2025). "Baker's new game is college sports, but stakes are still political". The Republican. Springfield, Massachusetts. p. C7. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "NCAA committee says penalties should stick". The Sacramento Bee. Sacramento, California. December 1, 2009. p. 2. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Hall, Cora (November 2, 2025). "Why Barnes has concerns about NCAA tournament expansion". Knoxville News Sentinel. Knoxville, Tennessee. p. B2. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Johnson, Randy (March 31, 2022). "NCAA officials acknowledge disparities, pledge to improve". Minnesota Star Tribune. Minneapolis, Minnesota. p. C5. Retrieved December 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
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