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Best of 2009
Male
Player | Female
Player | Male
Performance | Female
Performance | Male
Coach | Female
Coach| Game
| Comeback
| Breakthrough
| Look | Mainstream
Moment | Fan
'09 Rewind: John Desko, Male Coach of the Year
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Syracuse has thrived under the "What, me worry?" temperament of head coach John Desko. © Kevin P. Tucker |
Did anyone catch the replay of Desko’s reaction when he saw the Foxboro Flip, the 24 seconds of mayhem that breathed new life into Syracuse with an overtime frame against Cornell in the NCAA final?
He raised his arm and looked excited, but he didn’t lose
his mind like everyone else in the stadium and watching at home. He
expected his team to win, and wasn’t surprised when he saw a
legendary, game-winning play. Like the coach, the team never lost
its cool and always expected to get the W.
After a rocky stretch in 2006 (head coach of silver-medalist Team
USA) and ’07 (‘Cuse’s first losing season since
the 1970s), Desko has rebounded with back-to-back national
championships and ranks as the NCAA tournament’s all-time
winningest coach (27-5, .844).
HONORABLE MENTION
Dave Huntley, Toronto Nationals
The first-year coach took a largely canadian roster and ruled the
pro field game in the U.S. Will he do the same with Team Canada in
the World Games?
John Jez, C.W. Post
Jez took the Pioneers to a 15-1 mark and the NCAA crown, capping a
personal comeback from a stroke he suffered four years ago.
Paul Cantabene, Stevenson
The Division III coach finally realized the fruits of five years
of labor, leading the Mustangs to a No. 2 ranking and NCAA
semifinal berth.
