Congrats to Tony Bennett of @UVAMensHoops, winner of the 2014-15 Henry Iba Award http://t.co/bO4kfpgD6n
— USBWA (@USBWA) March 23, 2015
Tony Bennett? Yes, you read that right.
Virginia’s Tony Bennett has been named the 2014-15 recipient of the Henry Iba Award, presented annually to the national coach of the year by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association.
The award “is based on regular-season performance.”
In his sixth season at Virginia, Bennett, 45, led the Cavaliers to a 30-4 record, which tied the school record for wins in a season set last season and in 1982-83. For the second straight season, Virginia won the Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season title. Bennett’s career mark at Virginia is a stellar 136-64 (.680 winning percentage).
Let’s review:
John Calipari and the Kentucky Wildcats held a season-long number one ranking and went undefeated. I guess perfection isn’t good enough.
At least Coach Cal is in good company:
Another who's never been USBWA coach of year: Coach K. Also, Jerry Tarkanian (and he was undefeated too). Maybe awards are just dumb, folks.
— Ben Roberts (@NextCats) March 23, 2015
For what it's worth, Mike Krzyzewski, Billy Donovan & Rick Pitino join John Calipari in never having been voted USBWA National Coach of Year
— Mark Story (@markcstory) March 23, 2015
Twitter reacts to the news:
FYI: On Nation Of Blue, I'm going to destroy the columns by USBWA members who are trying to defend voting Tony Bennett for Coach of the Year
— Fake Gimel (@fakegimel) March 23, 2015
Our society always rewards the "doing more with less" narrative over just simply doing the most. Happens all the time. And it is wrong
— Jon Lipsitz (@UKCoachLipsitz) March 23, 2015
Can only think of 2 reasons you don't vote for Calipari this year: 1. You don't think recruiting is part of coaching. 2. You don't like him.
— Brett Dawson (@BDawsonRivals) March 23, 2015
Lots of guys lose two lottery picks, have a starter go down with a torn ACL and still win every game.
JUST KIDDING NO THEY DONT.
— T.J. Beisner (@Beisner_cn2) March 23, 2015
I'm a huge Tony Bennett fan and now-ridiculed praiser of Virginia. But truly what else could a coach do than run the table?
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_CJ) March 23, 2015
First, he had to get nine McDonalds All-Americans to buy into playing 20 minutes per game and seeing less of the ball. That’s tough.
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) March 23, 2015
Second, his degree of difficulty was off the charts because he basically had to go undefeated to reach expectations. That’s crazy.
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) March 23, 2015
What do you think of the USBWA’s choice for Coach of the Year?
