The Clair Bee Coach of the Year Award honored the active men's NCAA Division I basketball coach who has made the most significant positive contributions to his sport during the preceding year. The winner reflected the character and professional qualities of Clair Bee, a Hall of Fame coach who many consider to be the best technical basketball coach in history, and a man who cared deeply about his players' well-being. The Hilton and Bee Awards were created by Chip Hilton Sports and the NCAA Foundation in 1996 as a way to promote positive character in the sport of basketball, a game upon which the legendary Bee had a great impact as a coach, administrator, innovator and teacher.
Winners
Season Coach School Reference 1996–97 Minnesota 1997–98 Mount St. Mary's 1998–99 Ohio State 1999–00 Syracuse 2000–01 Arizona 2001–02 Texas Tech 2002–03 Marquette 2003–04 Duke 2004–05 Michigan State 2005–06 George Mason 2006–07 Wisconsin 2007–08 Davidson 2008–09 Missouri 2009–10 Cornell 2010–11 Butler Clem Haskins' selection was later vacated (along with that season's win total and all other accolades) due to an academic fraud scandal that ruled the entire team ineligible.
See also Chip Hilton Player of the Year Award – equivalent award presented to an NCAA Division I men's basketball player, sponsored by the NABC
References