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March 1, 2006

The fifteen finalists for the 2006 Jim Phelan national coach of the year were announced on Wednesday. Included among the finalists is Illinois head coach Bruce Weber who finished second in the final balloting last season to Kentucky’s Tubby Smith.

The other fourteen finalists are John Brady (LSU), Jim Calhoun (Connecticut), Jamie Dixon (Pittsburgh), Mark Few (Gonzaga), John Giannini (La Salle), Mark Gottfried (Alabama), Karl Hobbs (George Washington), Ben Howland (UCLA), Mike Krzyzewski (Duke), Thad Matta (Ohio State), Bruce Pearl (Tennessee), John Thompson III (Georgetown), Roy Williams (North Carolina) and Jay Wright (Villanova).

Previously known as the CollegeInsider.com national coach of the year, the award was renamed in 2003 to honor Mount St. Mary’s legendary coach, Jim Phelan who coached more games then anyone in the history of college basketball.

"I am honored to have the CollegeInsider.com National Coach of the Year award named after me," Phelan said. "I've been fortunate to have many great players and assistant coaches throughout my career and having the award named after me is a reflection of their success."

Previous winners of the award include Tubby Smith (Kentucky, 2005), Phil Martelli (St. Joseph’s, 2004) and Mark Slonaker (Mercer, 2003).

The 20-member panel, which is chaired by Phelan, is headlined ESPN’s Jay Bilas and former University of Kentucky All-American Kyle Macy. All final ballots will be cast by March 12 and the winner will be announced at the 2006 Final Four in Indianapolis, IN.

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