Alexander Shun | @alexpshun
Digital Content Manager | KFAN.com
It was expected to happen given the turnaround that he led, but Monday, it was made official. Minnesota Gophers Head Coach Richard Pitino was named Big 10 Coach of the Year on Monday after he steered the Gophers from an 8-23 record last season to a 23-8 record this year.
Pitino is just the second Big 10 Coach of the Year winner in school history and the first since 1982.
The Gophers head coach has turned the program into a true contender that is loaded with talent including the now Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year in Reggie Lynch, first-team All-Big 10 guard Nate Mason and All-Freshman guard Amir Coffey.