Connecticut’s Geno Auriemma, Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski Share USA Basketball’s 2010 National Coach Of The Year Award

Dec. 20, 2010 • Colorado Springs, Colo.

In recognition of the USA's impressive, gold-medal performances at the men's and women's 2010 FIBA World Championships, USA Basketball today announced University of Connecticut head coach Geno Auriemma and Duke University's Mike Krzyzewski as co-recipients of the 2010 USA Basketball National Coach of the Year award.

Having also been named the USA Basketball National Coach of the Year in 2008, 2007 and 2006, Krzyzewski becomes the only four-time recipient in the history of the award, while Auriemma is a first-time honoree.

"It's a great honor," Auriemma said. "Looking at who the other coaches were this past year, it means even more. Certainly being mentioned with Coach K is a great honor, and I'm thrilled. I can't be more appreciative of the hard work my staff and players did during the World Championship."

"Any time a coach is recognized for representing his or her country, it is a tremendous honor," Krzyzewski said. "USA Basketball enjoyed a terrific summer, and we were proud to do our part at the World Championship. In all of my years in coaching, there's nothing I've enjoyed more than being a part of the USA Basketball program. So, receiving this award for a fourth time is very special to me."

The USA women stood atop the World Championship podium for the first time since 2002, while the USA men earned their first gold at the Worlds since 1994. Additionally, Auriemma and Krzyzewski each captured a NCAA Championship in 2010.

"USA Basketball and our national team players have been very fortunate to have such respected and renowned coaches," said Jim Tooley, USA Basketball Executive Director/CEO. "There are many challenges to molding a team and playing in a World Championship, and the results from this past summer were remarkable. Thanks to their leadership, dedication and expertise, the USA men and women won with impressive sportsmanship and superior teamwork."

"I've played for Coach Auriemma for a number of years, and so playing for him during the World Championship was just a reminder of what a great coach he is," said USA tri-captain Sue Bird (Seattle Storm). "He is gifted at bringing out the best in individuals and even better at putting them together to form the best team. If anyone could get us to gel in such a short amount of time, I knew Coach Auriemma could do it."

"Coach K taught me that every possession and every minute is important," said Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder), USA team member, MVP of the 2010 FIBA World Championship for Men and the 2010 USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year. "And that preparation is the key to winning, especially at the international level. He reinforced to me the need to prepare for every moment."

USA Basketball's National Coach of the Year award was established in 1996 to recognize a USA Basketball head coach who, during the year of the award, made significant impact on the success of individual athlete and team performance at the highest level of competition. The USA Basketball Board of Directors is responsible for selecting USA Basketball's annual coach, player and team of the year awards.

Other previous winners include: Anne Donovan (2007, 2008); Gail Goestenkors (2005); Van Chancellor (2004, 2002); Larry Brown (2003, 1999); Jim Boeheim (2001); Nell Fortner (2000); Clem Haskins (1998); Mo McHone (1997); and Tara VanDerveer (1996).

Geno Auriemma

Named the 2009-12 USA Women's National Team head coach in April 2009, Auriemma captured a 9-0 record and a gold-medal finish in his first major international competition as the USA National Team head mentor at the 2010 FIBA World Championship for Women Sept. 23 - Oct. 3 in Ostrava and Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic.

Despite finalizing the team just two days before the start of World Championship play and having just one practice together as the official 12-member squad, the USA averaged an impressive 96.2 ppg. and won its games by an average margin of 35.1 points per contest.

The USA ranked first in nine and second in seven of the 21 major team statistical categories, including No. 1 rankings in points scored (866), points averaged, scoring margin, field goal percentage (.549), rebounding margin (+18.0), assists (15.3 apg.) and steals (15.9 spg.).

Featuring 11 players who scored between 12.0 and 5.1 points per game, the Americans held opponents to an average of just 61.1 points per game and a cold 38.5 shooting percentage overall.

The USA roster included: Jayne Appel (San Antonio Silver Stars); Bird; Swin Cash (Seattle Storm); Tamika Catchings (Indiana Fever); Tina Charles (Connecticut Sun); Candice Dupree (Phoenix Mercury); Sylvia Fowles (Chicago Sky); Asjha Jones (Connecticut Sun); Angel McCoughtry (Atlanta Dream); Maya Moore (University of Connecticut); Diana Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury); and Lindsay Whalen (Minnesota Lynx).

Auriemma was assisted by DePaul University head coach Doug Bruno, Los Angeles Sparks head mentor Jennifer Gillom and Atlanta Dream head coach/general manager Marynell Meadors.

Leading up to the World Championship, the USA Women's National Team compiled a 4-1 mark during its exhibition play under Auriemma's guidance. The exhibition slate included a 99-72 win over WNBA stars on July 10 in Uncasville, Conn.; an 89-56 win over Australia on Sept. 10 and a 85-69 victory over Spain on Sept. 12 at the XL Center in Hartford, Conn.; and a 83-77 loss to Australia on Sept. 17 and a 93-51 won over Senegal on Sept. 18 in Salamanca, Spain.

The head coach at the University of Connecticut since 1985-86, most recently Auriemma guided the Huskies during the 2009-10 season to a fourth undefeated season with a 39-0 mark, while capturing the Big East Conference regular season and tournament crown and the 2010 NCAA title.

Overall, he has now led the Huskies to seven NCAA titles, 11 Final Fours and 34 Big East titles and owns a 745-122 overall record (.859 winning percentage) as of Dec. 20, 2010, including an 88-0 win streak in the NCAA.

He is a seven-time National Coach of the Year and has been named the Big East Coach of the Year nine times. In all, Auriemma has garnered a combined total of 24 National Coach of the Year honors.

Mike Krzyzewski

Krzyzewski led the USA men to their first FIBA World Championship gold medal since 1994 and the Duke University Blue Devils to a fourth NCAA National Championship in 2010.

He compiled a 9-0 record at the 2010 FIBA World Championship Aug. 28-Sept. 12 in Istanbul, Turkey. Without any 2008 Olympians on the roster and featuring six players under the age of 22, Krzyzewski got the best out of his team. Relying on depth and defense, the USA won its nine games by an average of 24.6 points per contest.

Holding teams to just 38.1 percent shooting from the field, the U.S. defense allowed its opponents an average of just 68.2 points per game. The USA ranked first in 12 of the 21 major team statistical categories and second in four categories, including No. 1 finishes in points averaged (92.8), scoring margin (+24.6), field goal percentage (.497), rebounds (41.7 rpg.), assists (18.2 apg.) and steals (10.6 spg.).

In addition to Durant, the 2010 USA Men's World Championship Team included Chauncey Billups (Denver Nuggets), Tyson Chandler (Dallas Mavericks), Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors), Rudy Gay (Memphis Grizzlies), Eric Gordon (Los Angeles Clippers), Danny Granger (Indiana Pacers), Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia 76ers), Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves), Lamar Odom (Los Angeles Lakers), Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls) and Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder).

Krzyzewski was assisted by Syracuse University's Hall of Fame coach Jim Boeheim, Portland Trail Blazers head coach Nate McMillan and Toronto Raptors head mentor Jay Triano.

Additionally, Krzyzewski led the USA Men's National Team to a 4-0 exhibition record prior to the World Championship. As part of the Global Community Cup, the USA earned an 86-55 win over France on Aug. 15 at Madison Square Garden in New York; a 77-61 win over Lithuania on Aug. 21 and a narrow 86-85 victory against Spain on Aug. 22 in Madrid, Spain; and an 87-59 blowout of Greece on Aug. 25 in Athens.

A former president of the National Association of Basketball Coaches Foundation, Krzyzewski has been extensively involved in USA Basketball. He was at the helm of the USA Men's National Team during the three-year period between 2006 and 2008. In that span, he compiled a striking 36-1 record and led the USA men to the 2008 Olympic gold medal, which at the time was the USA's first gold medal in a major international competition since 2000, and the FIBA World Championship bronze medal in 2006.

Krzyzewski is the only USA Basketball men's coach to have won an Olympic gold medal, a FIBA World Championship gold medal and an NCAA Championship.

With the Duke Blue Devils, Krzyzewski finished the 2009-10 season with a 35-5 record, including 10 straight victories to close the season. Duke captured the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) tournament title for the 18th time before beating Butler 61-59 for the NCAA title.

In his 31st season at Duke (1980-81 to present), Krzyzewski has compiled an 805-220 record (.785 winning percentage) as of Dec. 19, 2010. He has won four NCAA Championships with the Blue Devils, made 11 Final Four appearances and captured 12 Atlantic Coast Conference regular season championships and 12 ACC Tournament titles.

He has been named the Collegiate National Coach of the Year 12 times in eight different seasons by major organizations.

He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2001 and the Army Sports Hall of Fame in 2009.

About USA Basketball

Based in Colorado Springs, Colo., USA Basketball is a nonprofit organization and the national governing body for men's and women's basketball in the United States. As the recognized governing body for basketball in the United States by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), USA Basketball is responsible for the selection, training and fielding of USA teams that compete in FIBA sponsored international basketball competitions, as well as for some national competitions.

Since 2008, USA Basketball men's and women's teams have compiled a sterling 96-2 win-loss record in FIBA or FIBA Americas competitions. USA teams are currently the men's and women's Olympic champions; men's and women's FIBA World Champions; men's and women's U19 and U17 FIBA World Champions; and men's and women's U18 and U16 FIBA Americas champions. USA Basketball currently ranks No. 1 in all five of FIBA's world ranking categories, including combined, men's, women's, boys and girls.

For further information about USA Basketball, go to the official Web site of USA Basketball at www.usabasketball.com and connect with us on facebook.com/usabasketball, twitter.com/usabasketball and www.youtube.com/therealusabasketball.