Adam Hermann | NCAA.com | April 1, 2018 Virginia's Tony Bennett named Naismith Coach of the Year Bennett led the Cavaliers to a 31-3 record this season. Share Virginia head coach Tony Bennett has been named the 2018 Werner Ladder Naismith Coach of the Year. It’s the second time Bennett has won the award in his career; the first came in 2007, when he was the head coach at Washington State. Bennett’s Cavaliers set a program record with 31 wins this season, and finished 31-3, setting a program record for the best winning percentage (.912) when playing at least 20 games. RELATED: Full March Madness coverage and analysis from NCAA.com Virginia went 17-1 in the ACC this season, and proceeded to win the conference tournament, defeating North Carolina in the conference title game. The Cavaliers’ calling card this season was their defense, which ranked first in the country in points allowed per game, ceding on average just 54 points each time out. And on offense, the Cavaliers committed the fewest total turnovers of any team in the country, tallying just 290 in 34 games. Bennett’s team also ranked in the Top 50 nationally in three point percentage: (.383, 41st) and free throw percentage: (.754, 46th). UNCOMPROMISED EXCELLENCE: The Hoos are the 2018 #ACCTourney Champs! Go inside our tournament run with this Uncompromised Excellence feature. #GoHoos pic.twitter.com/NUZCsfrg2u — Virginia Men's Basketball (@UVAMensHoops) March 16, 2018 Virginia was the overall 1-seed in this year’s NCAA tournament and was toppled by 16-seed UMBC in the first round, becoming the first 1-seed to lose its opening matchup against a 16-seed in the history of the tournament. Here’s a complete list of every men’s Naismith Coach of the Year winner: Year Coach School 2018 Tony Bennett Virginia 2017 Mark Few Gonzaga 2016 Jay Wright Villanova 2015 John Calipari Kentucky 2014 Gregg Marshall Wichita State 2013 Jim Larrañaga Miami (FL) 2012 Bill Self Kansas 2011 Steve Fisher San Diego State 2010 Jim Boeheim Syracuse 2009 Jamie Dixon Pittsburgh 2008 John Calipari Memphis 2007 Tony Bennett Washington State 2006 Jay Wright Villanova 2005 Bruce Weber Illinois 2004 Phil Martelli St. Joe's 2003 Tubby Smith Kentucky 2002 Ben Howland Pittsburgh 2001 Rod Barnes Mississippi 2000 Mike Montgomery Stanford 1999 Mike Krzyzewski Duke 1998 Bill Guthridge North Carolina 1997 Roy Williams Kansas 1996 John Calipari Massachusetts 1995 Jim Harrick UCLA 1994 Nolan Richardson Arkansas 1993 Dean Smith North Carolina 1992 Mike Krzyzewski Duke 1991 Randy Ayers Ohio Sate 1990 Bobby Cremins Georgia Tech 1989 Mike Krzyzewski Duke 1988 Larry Brown Kansas 1987 Bob Knight Indiana 7 programs with strong cases to be college basketball's next 1st-time champion These schools have never won a men's basketball national championship — for now. READ MORE 8 true freshmen in NCAA women's track and field who can burst on the scene in 2022 The 2022 women's outdoor track and field season is underway and a new season brings new athletes. As freshmen in the sport take the outdoor track for the first time, let's look at some who could garner headlines by the season's end. READ MORE March Madness: Getting to know the No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament Check out the detailed history of how No. 1 seeds have fared in the NCAA tournament. READ MORE