Haith Named Naismith Finalist

March 2, 2005

Atlanta, Ga. (hurricanesports.com) – University of Miami head men’s basketball coach Frank Haith has been named one of 20 finalists for the Naismith Award presented by Coca-Cola. The Naismith Award is the most prestigious national award presented annually to the men’s college basketball coach of the year.

In his first season as a collegiate head coach, Haith has guided the Hurricanes to a surprising 16-10 record, which includes three wins over ranked opponents. Miami, which was picked to finish last in the ACC in the preseason media poll, is currently tied for fifth in the league with a 7-9 conference record.

The top 20 list was compiled by the Atlanta Tipoff Club’s Board of Selectors, comprised of leading basketball journalists, coaches and administrators from around the country. The board based its criteria on coaching performance this season.

These coaches will go to the final ballot in March, when the Board will select the coach who has distinguished himself as the best collegiate coach in the nation. The coach of the year will be recognized at the Naismith Awards Banquet on April 8 in Atlanta.

The candidates for the Naismith Award presented by Coca-Cola, listed in alphabetical order, are as follows:

Rick Barnes, TexasJim Boeheim, SyracuseMark Few, GonzagaRay Giacoletti, UtahBilly Gillispie, Texas A&MFrank Haith, Miami (FL)Mike Krzyzewski, DukeLute Olson, ArizonaRick Pitino, LouisvilleSkip Prosser, Wake ForestLorenzo Romar, WashingtonBo Ryan, WisconsinKelvin Sampson, OklahomaBill Self, KansasAl Skinner, Boston CollegeTubby Smith, KentuckyEddie Sutton, Oklahoma StateJohn Thompson III, GeorgetownBruce Weber, IllinoisRoy Williams, North Carolina