Walz Named Werner Ladder Naismith Coach of the Year Semifinalist
March 12, 2019 | Women's Basketball
Walz is one of four coaches from the ACC to be named a semifinalist.
Â
ATLANTA (March 12, 2019) – University of Louisville head coach Jeff Walz has been named a Werner Ladder Naismith Women's College Coach of the Year semifinalist by the Atlanta Tipoff Club.
Â
Walz, a finalist for the award in 2017-18, is seeking his first Werner Ladder Naismith Women's College Coach of the Year honor.
Â
Four of the 10 semifinalists are from the Atlantic Coast Conference and he is joined by —Geno Auriemma (Connecticut), Lisa Bluder (Iowa), Amanda Butler (Clemson), Kelly Graves (Oregon), Carolyn Kieger (Marquette), Muffet McGraw (Notre Dame), Wes Moore (North Carolina State), Kim Mulkey (Baylor) and Vic Schaefer (Mississippi State).
Â
"The competition for the Werner Ladder Naismith Women's College Coach of the Year Award starts now as we see which coaches can withstand the tough matchups ahead," said Eric Oberman, executive director of the Atlanta Tipoff Club. "We're looking forward to watching these candidates lead and push their teams to excel in the tournament."
Â
The list will be narrowed to four finalists on March 21, and fans will be able to support their favorite women's college coach by visiting naismithtrophy.com/vote between March 22-April 3, to cast their ballot. The fan vote will account for five percent of the overall final vote. The 2019 Werner Ladder Naismith Women's College Coach of the Year will be announced on April 6, and the winner will be honored at their school at a later date.
Â
"Werner is once again thrilled to be presenting the semifinalists for the Naismith Women's Coach of the Year," said Stacy Gardella, vice president of brand marketing at WernerCo. "These coaches know how to promote teamwork and dedication in the talented players they coach."
Â
Â
The four finalists will be chosen by the Atlanta Tipoff Club's national voting academy, comprised of leading journalists from around the country, current and former head coaches, former award winners and conference commissioners, all of whom base their selections on outstanding coaching performances during the 2018-19 college basketball season. The vote will be tabulated and certified by Aprio, a premier, CPA-led business advisory firm.
Â
For more information, visit www.naismithtrophy.com.
Â
ABOUT THE ATLANTA TIPOFF CLUB
Â
Founded during the 1956-57 season, the Atlanta Tipoff Club is committed to promoting the game of basketball and recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of those who make the game so exciting. The Atlanta Tipoff Club administers the Naismith Awards, the most prestigious national honors in all of college and high school basketball. Named in honor of Dr. James Naismith, inventor of the game of basketball, the family of Naismith Awards annually recognizes the most outstanding men's and women's college and high school basketball players and coaches. Other Naismith Awards are presented to the men's and women's college basketball defensive players of the year, as well as lifetime achievement awards to basketball officials and outstanding contributors to the game. UCLA's Lew Alcindor received the first Citizen Naismith Trophy in 1969, while the late Anne Donovan (Old Dominion) was the inaugural women's recipient in 1983. Corporate partners of the Naismith Awards include Bona, Citizen Watch Company, Jersey Mike's and Werner Ladder.
Â
ABOUT WERNER LADDER COMPANY
Â
Werner, the official ladder of NCAA® March Madness® and the world leader in ladders offers a complete line of climbing products designed for working at heights. The portfolio includes ladders, attic ladders, scaffolding, pump jacks, stages, planks, stepstools, accessories and fall protection equipment including harnesses, lanyards, anchors and compliance kits. From ladders to fall protection, WERNER provides a full line of climbing equipment that's engineered to give you maximum safety, durability and productivity at every height. All Werner products meet or exceed applicable international safety standards. For more information, visit www.wernerladder.com.
ATLANTA (March 12, 2019) – University of Louisville head coach Jeff Walz has been named a Werner Ladder Naismith Women's College Coach of the Year semifinalist by the Atlanta Tipoff Club.
Â
Walz, a finalist for the award in 2017-18, is seeking his first Werner Ladder Naismith Women's College Coach of the Year honor.
Â
Four of the 10 semifinalists are from the Atlantic Coast Conference and he is joined by —Geno Auriemma (Connecticut), Lisa Bluder (Iowa), Amanda Butler (Clemson), Kelly Graves (Oregon), Carolyn Kieger (Marquette), Muffet McGraw (Notre Dame), Wes Moore (North Carolina State), Kim Mulkey (Baylor) and Vic Schaefer (Mississippi State).
Â
"The competition for the Werner Ladder Naismith Women's College Coach of the Year Award starts now as we see which coaches can withstand the tough matchups ahead," said Eric Oberman, executive director of the Atlanta Tipoff Club. "We're looking forward to watching these candidates lead and push their teams to excel in the tournament."
Â
The list will be narrowed to four finalists on March 21, and fans will be able to support their favorite women's college coach by visiting naismithtrophy.com/vote between March 22-April 3, to cast their ballot. The fan vote will account for five percent of the overall final vote. The 2019 Werner Ladder Naismith Women's College Coach of the Year will be announced on April 6, and the winner will be honored at their school at a later date.
Â
"Werner is once again thrilled to be presenting the semifinalists for the Naismith Women's Coach of the Year," said Stacy Gardella, vice president of brand marketing at WernerCo. "These coaches know how to promote teamwork and dedication in the talented players they coach."
Â
| NAME | SCHOOL | CONFERENCE |
| Geno Auriemma | UConn | AAC |
| Lisa Bluder | Iowa | Big Ten |
| Amanda Butler | Clemson | ACC |
| Kelly Graves | Oregon | Pac-12 |
| Carolyn Kieger | Marquette | BIG EAST |
| Muffet McGraw | Notre Dame | ACC |
| Wes Moore | North Carolina State | ACC |
| Kim Mulkey | Baylor | Big 12 |
| Vic Schaefer | Mississippi State | SEC |
| Jeff Walz | Louisville | ACC |
The four finalists will be chosen by the Atlanta Tipoff Club's national voting academy, comprised of leading journalists from around the country, current and former head coaches, former award winners and conference commissioners, all of whom base their selections on outstanding coaching performances during the 2018-19 college basketball season. The vote will be tabulated and certified by Aprio, a premier, CPA-led business advisory firm.
Â
For more information, visit www.naismithtrophy.com.
Â
ABOUT THE ATLANTA TIPOFF CLUB
Â
Founded during the 1956-57 season, the Atlanta Tipoff Club is committed to promoting the game of basketball and recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of those who make the game so exciting. The Atlanta Tipoff Club administers the Naismith Awards, the most prestigious national honors in all of college and high school basketball. Named in honor of Dr. James Naismith, inventor of the game of basketball, the family of Naismith Awards annually recognizes the most outstanding men's and women's college and high school basketball players and coaches. Other Naismith Awards are presented to the men's and women's college basketball defensive players of the year, as well as lifetime achievement awards to basketball officials and outstanding contributors to the game. UCLA's Lew Alcindor received the first Citizen Naismith Trophy in 1969, while the late Anne Donovan (Old Dominion) was the inaugural women's recipient in 1983. Corporate partners of the Naismith Awards include Bona, Citizen Watch Company, Jersey Mike's and Werner Ladder.
Â
ABOUT WERNER LADDER COMPANY
Â
Werner, the official ladder of NCAA® March Madness® and the world leader in ladders offers a complete line of climbing products designed for working at heights. The portfolio includes ladders, attic ladders, scaffolding, pump jacks, stages, planks, stepstools, accessories and fall protection equipment including harnesses, lanyards, anchors and compliance kits. From ladders to fall protection, WERNER provides a full line of climbing equipment that's engineered to give you maximum safety, durability and productivity at every height. All Werner products meet or exceed applicable international safety standards. For more information, visit www.wernerladder.com.
WBB: Jeff Walz Postgame Presser (Florida State - 2/15/26)
Monday, February 16
WBB: Florida State Highlights (2/15/26)
Monday, February 16
Tajianna Roberts and Reyna Scott Postgame Presser vs. Wake Forest 2.12.26
Friday, February 13
Jeff Walz Postgame Presser vs. Wake Forest 2.12.26
Friday, February 13
