ATLANTA – Tennessee basketball coach Rick Barnes was named as one of 15 candidates for the Werner Ladder Naismith Trophy for Men’s College Coach of the Year by the Atlanta Tipoff Club on Wednesday.
During his fourth season in Knoxville, Barnes has led the Vols to a 25-3 (13-2 SEC) record, while achieving a career-best and program-record 19-game win streak in the process. Tennessee climbed to No. 1 in the AP Poll for only the second time ever this year and held the status of the nation’s top team for a program-best four weeks. Barnes also led UT to its fifth-ever win over a No. 1 team, as the Vols defeated top-ranked Gonzaga in Phoenix on Dec. 9, 76-73.
The Vols have improved upon their regular season win total every year under the direction of Barnes and achieved back-to-back seasons of 25 or more wins for the first time in program history following the Big Orange’s win against Ole Miss on Wednesday night.
Tennessee boasts two players in Admiral Schofield and Grant Williams who have been in multiple conversations for National Player of the Year. Schofield (Julius Erving) and Williams (Karl Malone) along with Jordan Bone (Bob Cousy) have been recognized as finalists for their position of the year awards.
Barnes was the only SEC coach on the list of 15 candidates, which are listed below.
Werner Ladder Naismith Trophy Top 15 Candidates
Rick Barnes, Tennessee
Chris Beard, Texas Tech
John Beilein, Michigan
Tony Bennett, Virginia
Mark Few, Gonzaga
Tom Izzo, Michigan State
Mike Krzyzewski, Duke
Chris Mack, Louisville
Eric Musselman, Nevada
Nate Oats, Buffalo
Matt Painter, Purdue
Kelvin Sampson, Houston
Roy Williams, North Carolina
Steve Wojciechowski, Marquette
Mike Young, Wofford
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