Recogniton of Kevin Ollie’s achievements in his first season as UConn coach continues. He is one of 20 finalists for the Ben Jobe Award, given annually to the top minority coach in Division I college basketball.
It is named for Jobe, the legendary, long-time coach at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Southern, Alabama A&M, Alabama State, Talladega, Tuskegee and South Carolina State.
Along with Ollie, the other finalists are:
Tommy Amaker (Harvard), Mike Anderson (Arkansas), Kevin Baggett (Rider), Roman Banks (Southern), Jamion Christian (Mount St. Mary’s), Mike Davis (Texas Southern), Anthony Evans (Norfolk State), Anthony Grant (Alabama), James Green (Jacksonville State), Frank Haith (Missouri), Joe Jones (Boston University), Cuonzo Martin (Tennessee), Bashir Mason (Wagner), Ray McCallum (Detroit), Marvin Menzies (New Mexico State), Howard Moore (Illinois-Chicago), LeVelle Moton (North Carolina Central), Shaka Smart (VCU), Bashir Mason (Wagner) and John Thompson III (Georgetown).
Last week, Ollie was named a finalist for the Joe B. Hall Award, given to the top first-year coach in the nation. The winners of both these awards will be announced during Final Four week in Atlanta.
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
4 Responses to Kevin Ollie A Finalist for Ben Jobe Award
- -- ADVERTISEMENT --
UConn Men Photos
Text Alerts
FREE Huskies, breaking news, and/or weather alerts sent to your mobile phone.*
*Or text UCONNFB, UCONNMB, UCONNWBNEWS, WEATHER, NEWS to 37798
*These programs are available on the following carriers: AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, Sprint, Nextel, Boost, Alltel, US Cellular. By clicking Submit you are confirming agreement with the terms and conditions governing this station and these mobile alerts. All submissions must be authorized by the account holder. Contact your carrier for more details.
You will receive up to 8 messages per day. Text STOP to 37798 to end subscription. You may receive subsequent messages clarifying or confirming your opt-out request. Text HELP to 37798 for info. Message and data rates may apply. Privacy Policy: privacy.tribune.com
UConn Newsletters
Score big with our Husky Hoopla email.
See a sample
Sign in to add or remove newsletters.
-- ADVERTISEMENT --
“…given annually to the top minority coach in Division I college basketball.”
Let’s dump “minority” and say “rookie”, “first year” or something along those lines instead. Those labels diminish the validity of the performance. It’s 2013; let’s move forward.
Kevin Ollie is a terrific coach who should be congratulated for what he accomplished this year. Period.
It’s not for the top rookie coach. It’s for the top minority coach. Granted, perhaps it’s an award whose time has come and gone. On the other hand, there’s nothing wrong with acknowledging a great performance.
I never said there was anything wrong with acknowledging a great performance. I thought I made myself clear. I’m only taking issue with the “minority” criteria for receiving the award. I understand fully well that there was a time when this was useful and practical, but fortunately I believe that time has passed.
Top Polish coach. Top French coach. Top Italian coach. Top Laplander coach…..absolutely pathetic to hear of a “minority coach” when the majority of players are minorities…..what are we missing here?