No headline

| February 28, 2019 12:00 AM

Few, Fortier named late

candidates for

Naismith Coach of the Year

Gonzaga men’s basketball coach Mark Few was one of 15 late season candidates for the 2019 Werner Ladder Naismith men’s College Coach of the Year the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced Wednesday. Gonzaga women’s basketball coach Lisa Fortier was named to the list for the women’s Naismith award.

Virginia’s Tony Bennett was named last year’s Naismith Men’s College Coach of the Year. Few received the honor in 2017.

Few has guided the Bulldog men to a 27-2 record thus far, which marks their 12th straight season with at least 25 wins. He also led Gonzaga to its seventh straight West Coast Conference regular season title. Gonzaga had its third and fourth number-one rankings in program history this season.

This season, Fortier has guided the Bulldog women to a 25-3 overall record, the 17th 20-win season in program history, as well as the highest ranking in program history (No. 12, USA Today/WBCA Coaches Poll).

The Bulldogs are on the verge of their 15th West Coast Conference regular-season title and poised for their 10th NCAA tournament berth in the last 11 seasons.

The list will be narrowed down to four finalists in March.