West Virginia women's basketball head coach Mike Carey was awarded co-Big East Conference Coach of the Year in Hartford, Conn today.
It is the second time the ninth-year head coach has won the award – the first coming after the 2004-05 season.
"This conference is a great conference, and it is such an honor," Carey said. "I'm smart enough to know this is not an individual honor, but a team honor. I would like to say thanks to our team buying in, our coaching staff, and our other staff because it is truly a team honor."
West Virginia is the No. 2 seed in the Big East Tournament, and will play its first game Sunday at 6 p.m. Carey led the Mountaineers to a 13-3 conference record - their best conference record in program history.
West Virginia's overall record of 26-4 marks the most regular season wins in program history, too.
The No. 7 ranking in both the AP and ESPN/USA Today Coaches poll marks the highest ranking in school history.
Connecticut head coach Geno Auriemma shared this year's award with Carey. It is his third-straight year winning at least a share of the award.
Last year, Auriemma shared the awarded with Villanova head coach Harry Perretta."I voted for Mike for Coach of the Year," Auriemma said. "If anyone knew where the program was at when Mike took over, they would be amazed at what he has done over there. It's remarkable, absolutely remarkable.
"He coaches his players in such a way that I really admire."
The award also nets Carey a bonus of $10,000. If he were to win National Coach of the Year, he would receive an additional $15,000.
John.terry@mail.wvu.edu
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