Big Ten Men's Basketball Coach Of The Year
The Big Ten Conference is home to some of the best college basketball teams in the country. Every year the conference recognizes the top-performing coach with the Big Ten Men's Basketball Coach of the Year Award. This award is given to the coach who displays exceptional leadership, coaching ability, and excellence in competition. In this article, we will take a closer look at the award and the coaches who have received it in the past.
History of the Award
The Big Ten Men's Basketball Coach of the Year Award was first given out in 1983. The award is voted on by the conference's coaches and is presented to the coach who has had the most significant impact on their team and the conference as a whole.
Over the years, the award has been won by some of the most successful coaches in college basketball history. Legendary coaches such as Bobby Knight, Tom Izzo, and Gene Keady have all won the award multiple times.
Currently, the award is sponsored by a leading beverage company and is officially known as the Big Ten Coach of the Year presented by PepsiCo.
Previous Winners
Since the award's inception, many coaches have been recognized for their outstanding contributions to their teams and the conference. Some notable past winners include:
- Bobby Knight - Indiana (1983, 1987, 1989, 1992)
- Tom Izzo - Michigan State (1998, 2009, 2012, 2016)
- Gene Keady - Purdue (1984, 1988, 1994, 1996)
- Thad Matta - Ohio State (2006, 2010, 2011, 2013)
- Bo Ryan - Wisconsin (2002, 2003, 2013, 2015)
Each of these coaches has left an indelible mark on the conference and the sport of college basketball. They have all led their teams to great success and have earned the respect and admiration of their peers.
The 2021 Winner
The most recent winner of the Big Ten Men's Basketball Coach of the Year Award is Juwan Howard of the University of Michigan. Howard, a former NBA player and assistant coach, has only been the head coach of Michigan for two years but has already made a significant impact on the program.
Under Howard's leadership, Michigan has become one of the best teams in the conference and the country. In the 2020-2021 season, the Wolverines won the regular season Big Ten championship and advanced to the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament. This success is a testament to Howard's coaching ability and the respect he has earned from his players and fellow coaches.
Howard's win is also historic as he is the first African American coach to win the Big Ten Men's Basketball Coach of the Year Award.
Conclusion
The Big Ten Men's Basketball Coach of the Year Award is one of the most prestigious awards in college basketball. It recognizes the top-performing coach in one of the most competitive conferences in the country. Over the years, many legendary coaches have been recognized with this award, and Juwan Howard's win in 2021 only adds to this legacy. It will be exciting to see who will be the next coach to receive this honor and what impact they will have on their team and the conference as a whole.