College coaches deserving recognition
By InsideHoops.com | Jan. 24, 2006
In college basketball, the best coaches consistently overachieve, taking programs in need of a facelift and raising them to a higher level. InsideHoops.com editor Jeff Lenchiner salutes the following NCAA coaches for their achievements, not necessarily for this season alone but in general during recent years of their careers. This list of extremely good college basketball coaches is in no particular order:
Pat Flannery, Bucknell: The Bison are 14-3 overall, 1st in the Patriot League conference. Coach Flannery, now in his 12th season at Bucknell, is one of the most successful coaches in the history of the conference. As a player, he also captained the 1979-80 Bison team that finished 20-7.
Dennis Wolff, Boston University: The Terriers are 7-11 overall, 3rd in the America East conference. In recent years under Coach Wolff, the Terriers have won three straight conference titles (2002-2004) and earned four consecutive postseason appearances for the first time in school history.
Jim Larranaga, George Mason University: The Patriots are 13-5 overall, 1st in the Colonial Athletic conference. Coach Larranaga makes George Mason a consistent winner.
Mike McConathy, Northwestern State: The Demons are 11-6 overall, 1st in the Southland conference. Coach McConathy had an immediate impact when first coming on board and quickly turned the school into a successful program.
Bob Marlin, Sam Houston State University: The Bearkats are 12-5 overall, 4th in the Southland conference. During Coach Marlin's time with the school, the team has won more games than any other school in the conference. Has been named Southland Conference “Coach of the Year” twice.
Ron Everhart, Northeastern: The Huskies are 10-7 overall, 4th in the Colonial Athletic conference. Coach Everhart, who last season won Coach of the Year in the America East conference, took both Northeastern and McNeesee to postseason tournaments. He puts schools on the map.
Greg McDermott, Northern Iowa: The Panthers are 17-3 overall, 1st in the Missouri Valley conference. Coach McDermott took a program in need of a major facelift and led them to their first MVC title ever, a trip to the NCAA Tournament, then a 20-win season and another NCAA Tournament spot.
Perry Watson, University of Detroit: The Titans are 10-11 overall, and 4th in the Horizon League conference. Under Coach Watson's leadership, the team has had a winning season in 10 of his 11 seasons.
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