The 25 finalists for the 2023-24 Ben Jobe National Coach of the Year award have been announced, with Kevin Johnson, the head coach of Southern University's men's basketball team, being among them. The award recognizes the top minority head coach in Division I college basketball and is named in honor of the iconic coach Ben Jobe, known for his achievements at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The recipient of the award is determined by a 10-member committee, and the winner will be announced in Phoenix, AZ, the site of the men's Division I Basketball Championship.

By the Numbers
  • Kevin Johnson led the Southern University men's basketball team to 18 wins in his first year as head coach, the most since the 2016 season.
  • His team finished 3rd in the SWAC and achieved rankings in various NCAA categories such as turnovers forced, steals per game, bench points per game, turnover margin, three-point percentage defense, and scoring defense.
State of Play
  • Kevin Johnson is the only SWAC coach during the 2023-24 season to defeat a top #25 ranked team, and he finished with the highest net rankings in the conference at 256.
  • Southern University's men's basketball team has a rich history, including numerous SWAC championships, NCAA Tournament bids, and notable victories.
Bottom Line

Kevin Johnson, the head coach of Southern University's men's basketball team, has been named a finalist for the Ben Jobe National Coach of the Year award, recognizing his achievements in leading the team to success and upholding a strong legacy in college basketball.