Men’s head basketball coach Andy Carrier can add another trophy to his mantle of winning the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association coach-of-the-year award.
Carrier, who just finished his 19th year at the helm of the Braves basketball program, was named the winner by the KBCA as the top coach in Kansas last month. Coaches from junior colleges to the NAIA up to the top NCAA schools are part of the organization. Kansas coach Bill Self was the winner last year after the leading the Jayhawks to the national championship.
Carrier has had a spectacular run the past two years. In the 2007-2008 season he led his team to the KCAC regular season championship and to the Sweet 16 at the national tournament. And in the 2008-2009 season, his team won the KCAC tournament championship and made another trip back to the Sweet 16.
“I think it was the two years back to back; going on the road in the conference tournament and beating number four seed Walsh,” Carrier said.
Despite his recent run of success, Carrier had no idea he would be awarded this honor.
“I didn’t expect it, I’m totally flattered and humbled,” Carrier said.
Assistant coach Aaron Siebenthall credits much of the team team’s success to Carrier’s leadership.
“It’s a total team award, good group of players that are real close and have chemistry on the court; that starts at the top and works its way down,” Siebenthall.
Senior Joel Vandervelde also praised Carrier’s leadership by organizing his team.
“I think you can contribute to Coach Carrier getting us all on the same page,” Vandervelde said.
Vandervelde also said that this award was long deserved for Carrier saying the program has flown under the radar and is now getting the credit it deserves.
Siebenthall said that while this award honors Carrier’s success for this past season; it also honors what he has done over his entire career.
“It’s honoring his 19 years and the impact he has had on Ottawa beyond basketball,” Siebenthall said.
And the future continues to look bright for Carrier and his program. Vandervelde says that upcoming teams have the chance to have similar successes and to build on that.
Carrier will be formally honored with the award at Washburn University on August 5 at 1:30 PM. Admission is free and friends and family are welcome to attend.
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