Four finalists named for Werner Ladder Naismith Coach of the Year Award

The Atlanta Tipoff Club announced the four national finalists for the 2018 Werner Ladder Naismith Men’s College Coach of the Year on March 15, 2018. The winner will be announced on April 1 at Pearl Stable in San Antonio, Texas.

Several coaches on the finalist list include those who have willed their teams to the top of their respective conference, like Virginia's Tony Bennett. Bennett led the Cavaliers to a 31-2 record, the Atlantic Coast Conference championship and a No. 1 seed in the South Region. He also led his squad to the top of the AP rankings -- the first time the Cavaliers have occupied the No. 1 spot since 1982.  

Joining Bennett on the list is Villanova coach Jay Wright, who is in the thick of his 17th season and coached the Wildcats to the top of the Big East and the No. 1 seed in the East. Wright's resume includes six Big East conference titles and 13 NCAA tournament appearances. 

Chris Holtmann, who led Ohio State to a five-seed in the West, and Rick Barnes of Tennessee round of the list of coaches. Fans will be able to vote for their favorite coaches between March 19-30 on naismithtrophy.com/vote.

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Coach	School
Rick Barnes	Tennessee
Tony Bennett	Virginia
Chris Holtmann	Ohio State
Jay Wright	Villanova