University of Connecticut Athletics
Auriemma Earns WBCA National Coach of the Year Honors
3/17/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
ATLANTA, GA (Mar. 17, 2002) -- The Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and RUSSELL ATHLETIC have selected University of Connecticut women’s basketball head coach Geno Auriemma as the 2002 RUSSELL ATHLETIC/WBCA Division I National Coach of the Year.
In his 17th season, Auriemma has guided UConn to a 34-0 record and a No. 1 ranking in each poll this season. Earlier this season, the Huskies captured their ninth consecutive BIG EAST Tournament and regular season titles. With a No. 1 seed in the Mideast, they aim for their third National Championship and third consecutive Final Four appearance.
Overall, Auriemma owns a 459-98 (.824) record at UConn.
The honor is the third for Auriemma, which ties him with Tennessee’s Pat Summitt for the recipients with the most WBCA Coach of the Year honors. Auriemma also earned the honor in 1996-97 and 1999-2000.
The WBCA Division I Coach of the Year committee, chaired by Sue Guevara of the University of Michigan, convened via conference call and selected Auriemma from among eight finalists as its 2002 winner. The finalists were named by a vote of WBCA-member head coaches from each WBCA geographical District.
Auriemma, along with the national winners from the Division II, Division III, NAIA, Junior College/Community College and High School levels, will be presented to the WBCA membership at the RUSSELL ATHLETIC/WBCA Coach of the Year Banquet on Wednesday, March 27 at 7 p.m. at the Marriott Rivercenter Ballroom. The banquet is part of the NCAA Women’s Final Four in San Antonio, TX.
