Brian Barone to be Honored by the IBCA
SIUE men's basketball Head Coach Brian Barone has been selected as an Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Co-Coach of the Year.
After leading SIUE to its first 20-win regular season at the Division I level, Barone guided the Cougars to their first-ever Ohio Valley Conference Championship when SIUE defeated Southeast Missouri in the OVC Championship game. The Cougars then advanced to the program's first-ever Division I NCAA Tournament. A No. 16 seed in the Midwest Region, SIUE fell to the eventual national runner-up Houston in the first round.
"I'm truly honored to be named a Coach of the Year by such a respected organization," Barone said. "I'm surrounded by an incredible team and this recognition is a reflection of their hard work. I'm grateful every day to coach such dedicated players and work with supportive coaches. This award means a lot to all of us."
Barone will be honored, with many other coaches from throughout the state of Illinois, at the 53rd annual Coach of the Year Luncheon at Redbird Arena on the Illinois State University campus on Saturday, May 3.
Photo: Brian Barone
