RENO, Nev. – New Mexico State men’s basketball head coach Marvin Menzies is a finalist for the inaugural Ben Jobe Award from CollegeInsider.com, the organization announced Wednesday, March 10. The award will be presented annually to the top minority coach in Division I college basketball.
“To be mentioned in the company of the other finalists puts a smile on my face and it’s nice to be recognized,” Menzies said. “But obviously, our total focus is the task at hand to win the WAC Championship.”
Currently, this elite group of fifteen coaches has fashioned an average record of 21-9 this season. The finalists are Tommy Amaker (Harvard), Mike Anderson (Missouri), Tevester Anderson (Jackson State), Tony Barbee (UTEP), Todd Bozeman (Morgan State), Ed Cooley (Fairfield), Mike Davis (UAB), Stan Heath (South Florida), Ron Hunter (IUPUI), Sydney Johnson (Princeton), Johnny Jones (North Texas), Marvin Menzies (New Mexico
State), Shaka Smart (VCU), John Thompson III (Georgetown) and Cliff Warren (Jacksonville).
The award is named for coaching legend Ben Jobe, who spent the majority of his career at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, won 524 games in 31 years. He is best known for his accomplishments at Southern University, where he took the program to four NCAA Tournament appearances and one NIT berth.
A 30-member selection committee will vote this month and the winner of the inaugural Ben Jobe Award will be announced at the Final Four in Indianapolis.
2010 BEN JOBE AWARD FINALISTS
Tommy Amaker, Harvard
Mike Anderson, Missouri
Tevester Anderson, Jackson State
Tony Barbee, UTEP
Todd Bozeman, Morgan State
Ed Cooley, Fairfield
Mike Davis, UAB
Stan Heath, South Florida
Ron Hunter, IUPUI
Sydney Johnson, Princeton
Johnny Jones, North Texas
Marvin Menzies, New Mexico State
Shaka Smart, VCU
John Thompson III, Georgetown
Cliff Warren, Jacksonville
Courtesy: Tim Barnett-Queen
