Rick Barnes Named Finalist for Jim Phelan Award
BOSTON, Mass. — University of Texas head coach Rick Barnes has been named one of 15 finalists for the 2014 Jim Phelan Award, the web site CollegeInsider.com announcedWednesday evening. The Jim Phelan Award is presented annually to the nation’s top Division I coach.
The award is named after Jim Phelan (pronounced as: FAY-lin), who coached his entire career at Mount Saint Mary’s University. Phelan led the Mountaineers to the 1962 NCAA Division II Basketball Championship. When he retired in 2003 after coaching for 49 years, Phelan amassed 830 wins (overall record of 830-524) in over 1,300 games in all divisions. In those 49 years, 19 of his teams posted 20 or more wins in a season.
In addition to Barnes, the list of finalists includes: Steve Alford (UCLA), John Beilein (Michigan), Tony Bennett (Virginia), Ed Cooley (Providence), Billy Donovan (Florida), Steve Fisher (San Diego State), Danny Manning (Tulsa), Gregg Marshall (Wichita State), Sean Miller (Arizona), Greg McDermott (Creighton), Tim Miles (Nebraska), Craig Neal (New Mexico), Brad Underwood (Stephen F. Austin) and Jay Wright (Villanova).
In his 16th season at UT, Barnes helped the Longhorns post a 24-11 mark and advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament (round of 32). Texas finished in a tie for third in the Big 12 Conference with an 11-7 league mark. Barnes previously earned Big 12 Coach of the Year honors in a vote of the league’s coaches.
2014 Jim Phelan Award Finalists
Steve Alford (UCLA)
Rick Barnes (Texas)
John Beilein (Michigan)
Tony Bennett (Virginia)
Ed Cooley (Providence)
Billy Donovan (Florida)
Steve Fisher (San Diego State)
Danny Manning (Tulsa)
Gregg Marshall (Wichita State)
Sean Miller (Arizona)
Greg McDermott (Creighton)
Tim Miles (Nebraska)
Craig Neal (New Mexico)
Brad Underwood (Stephen F. Austin)
Jay Wright (Villanova)
