Kori Close, who led UCLA to the first women’s final four in one of the best seasons in school history, was named Associated Press Coach of the Year on Thursday.
The Bruins were the first to win the No. 1 ranking in the Associated Press’ Top 25 Women’s Basketball Poll, and held on the spot for 14 weeks as they piled up victory after winning to grab the overall seed of the NCAA Tournament.
“I’m grateful to be surrounded by the players and staff I have,” Close said. “It’s really good. It gives me an opportunity to thank all the people who have poured me over the years. I wouldn’t be here without a village of people who came with me in difficult times.”
She won 16 votes from a 31 national media panel who voted for the AP Top 25 weekly. TCU’s Mark Campbell finished second with five votes. Vic Schafer, who led Texas to the first Final Four since 2003, won three votes, while Kentucky’s Kenny Brooks won two.
Close took over UCLA in 2011 and only had two seasons lost. She said she was honored to join the late John Wood, the first UCLA women’s coach to win an award and five-time winner of her mentor, the late John Wooden.
“The reality is that it’s indescribable to have the opportunity to be led by him and pay other people in the same way that he paid me for his success,” Crows said. “It’s humble to associate my name in a small way. I hope his family sees it as a way I can thank you.”
UCLA faced UConn in the national semi-finals on Friday night, winning two wins from the first NCAA Championship in program history. The Bruins won the AIAW Championship in 1978, before the Women’s NCAA Tournament was present.
The Bruins have only lost two games this year to rival Southern California. UCLA acquired the measure of revenge by winning the Big Ten tournament in their first year in the league following the demolition of the PAC-12.
The Bruins set program records for most of their victory in the season with 34. During the historic season, the team won 22 consecutive double digits in a row.
“We thought we could do something special if this group could maintain their work ethic and maintain their selflessness,” Close said. “We thought we had talent. Adding characters and chemistry gives us a chance.”
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