USBWA News

St. John's head coach Rick Pitino rejuvenated the Red Storm’s program this season with a 30-4 record to date, reaching the 30-win mark for just the third time in program history and first time since 1985-86 as they head into the NCAA Tournament on Thursday. For guiding St. John’s to its first Big East Conference title in 40 seasons as well as the conference tournament title, Pitino has been named the winner of the 2024-25 Henry Iba Award, given annually by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association to its national coach of the year.

Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson led the Cougars to the Big 12 Conference regular-season title with a 15-3 record in their debut season in the league using a frenetic defense to post a 30-win season and a top seed in the NCAA Tournament’s South Region. For leading his program to its fifth conference regular-season title in the last six seasons and a sixth straight NCAA Tournament, Sampson has been named the winner of the 2023-24 Henry Iba Award, given annually by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association to its national coach of the year.

Marquette head coach Shaka Smart led the Golden Eagles to a school-record 29 wins and their first Big East outright and tournament titles this season. For his guiding his team to a record-setting conference win count and into the NCAA Tournament, Smart has been named the winner of the 2022-23 Henry Iba Award, given annually by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association to its national coach of the year.

Arizona first-year head coach Tommy Lloyd led the Wildcats to the Pac-12 Conference championship and a top seed in the NCAA Tournament. For his smashing debut guiding Arizona to 33 wins and into the Sweet 16, Lloyd has been named the winner of the 2021-22 Henry Iba Award, given annually by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association to its national coach of the year.

Michigan second-year head coach Juwan Howard, who led the Wolverines to a Big Ten regular-season championship and a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, has been named the winner of the 2020-21 Henry Iba Award, given annually by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association to its national coach of the year.

Gonzaga's Few, the 2017 winner, among four coaches lauded

Veteran coach is first from SEC to be honored since 2003

Virginia coach Tony Bennett, who has guided the Cavaliers to a 28-2 overall regular-season record that includes an ACC-record 17-1 conference mark, has been named the winner of the Henry Iba Award, given annually by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association to the national coach of the year. The Cavaliers added a 29th win today in the ACC Tournament quarterfinal vs. Louisville.

Mark Few, who guided Gonzaga to a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, has been named winner of the Henry Iba Award, given annually by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association to the national coach of the year. The announcement came today as the Zags prepared for their first-round NCAA Tournament game against South Dakota State.