BUCKNELL’S PAT FLANNERY RECEIVES HUGH DURHAM MID-SEASON HONORS                                                            >>> collegeinsider.com

Jan 5. 2006


After all the votes were tabulated, it wasn’t even close. Bucknell’s Pat Flannery was an overwhelming choice for the Hugh Durham Mid-Season Mid-Major coaching honors.

“There are a number of coaches doing a great job, but I don’t think anyone can argue with the selection of Pat Flannery,” said Angela Lento who is on the voting panel and covers mid-majors for Basketball Times. “Pat has been doing a phenomenal job for years, but nobody noticed until he beat Kansas (2005 NCAA tournament).”

Bucknell dropped its final game (Cable Car Classic vs. Santa Clara) of 2005, but still compiled an impressive 9-2 record. The great first half included wins at Syracuse, at DePaul and a home victory over St. Joseph’s.

Flannery began his coaching career at Bucknell in 1994-95 by guiding the Bison to an 11-3 final league mark and earning Patriot League Coach of the Year honors. He was the first Patriot League coach to earn such honors in his opening season with a program.

And its been much of the same ever since. Now in his twelfth season as a head coach, Flannery has amassed over 270 wins.

Flannery collected 52 points, including six first-place votes from the 20-member panel. Sam Houston State’s Bob Marlin finished second in the voting with 29 votes (three first-place votes).

The Hugh Durham award panel will select the Mid-Major Coach of the Year, which will be announced at the Final Four in Indianapolis. Last season Pacific’s Bob Thomason became the first-ever recipient of the award, after leading the Tigers to a 27-4 campaign.

Previously known simply as the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Coach of the Year Award, it was renamed in March 2005 to recognize the legendary Hugh Durham who retired from the profession.

FINAL RESULTS FOR MID-SEASON HONORS
(first place votes in parenthesis)