Head Coach John Giannini was picked as a finalist for the national coach of the year award.

PHILADELPHIA, PA - La Salle head coach John Giannini was chosen as one of 15 finalists for the Jim Phelan Award, which goes to the national coach of the year. The award, formerly known as the CollegeInsider.com national coach of the year award, was renamed in 2003 to honor the legendary Mount St. Mary's coach, Jim Phelan, who coached more games than anyone in the history of college basketball.

Joining Giannini on the list of finalists are John Brady (LSU), Jim Calhoun(Connecticut), Jamie Dixon (Pittsburgh), Mark Few (Gonzaga), Mark Gottfried (Alabama), Karl Hobbs (George Washington), Ben Howland (UCLA), Mike Krzyzewski (Duke), Thad Matta (Ohio State), Bruce Pearl (Tennessee), John Thompson III (Georgetown), Bruce Weber (Illinois), Roy Williams (North Carolina) and Jay Wright (Villanova).

Past winners include Kentucky's Tubby Smith (2005), Saint Joseph's Phil Martelli (2004) and Mercer's Mark Slonaker (2003).

Ballots will be cast by the 20-member panel by March 12 and the winner will be announced at the 2006 Final Four in Indianapolis.