February 23, 2007
Texas A&M Head Coach Billy Gillispie is among the 15 finalists for the 2007 Jim Phelan national coach of the year award.
Gillispie has led A&M to a 23-4 record and a top-10 national ranking. Prior to this season, A&M had not appeared in the national polls since 1981. Gillispie took over at A&M in 2004 after the Aggies had completed an 0-16 Big 12 season.
The Jim Phelan national coach of the year award is presented annually
by CollegeInsider.com. It was is named for longtime Mount St. Mary?â„¢s head coach Jim Phelan, who retired following the 2002-03 season.
Previous winners are Ben Howland (UCLA, 2006), Tubby Smith (Kentucky, 2005), Phil Martelli (St. Joseph?â„¢s, 2004) and Mark Slonaker (Mercer, 2003).
?
2007 JIM PHELAN AWARD FINALISTS
?
Coach School
Jim Baron Rhode Island
Tony Bennett Washington State
John Calipari Memphis
Billy Donovan Florida
Mark Fox Nevada
Billy Gillispie Texas A&M
Seth Greenberg Virginia Tech
Ben Howland UCLA
Todd Lickliter Butler
Chris Lowery Southern Illinois
Gregg Marshall Winthrop
Thad Matta Ohio State
Bo Ryan Wisconsin
Kevin Stallings Vanderbilt
Cliff Warren Jacksonville
?