March 21, 2005

FORT WORTH, Texas - TCU head men's basketball coach Neil Dougherty has begun his title defense as the nation's Best Dressed Coach by advancing through the first round of CollegeInsider.com's Runway to the Fashionable Four, the college basketball website announced today.

Dougherty earned the No. 1 seed in the Midwest Region by virtue of his Fashion Power Index (FPI) rating of three, which is behind only Louisville's Rick Pitino and Rice's Willis Wilson. In the website's preview of the top 10 FPIs, the committee wrote: "Last year's champion will be sporting his gear in the NIT and on the Runway. The only thing better than the gear is the person. Dapper Dougherty is a first class individual."

On Monday, the third-year head coach defeated 16th-seeded Milan Brown of Mount St. Mary's to move into the second round against Temple's John Chaney, the ninth seed. That matchup is scheduled for Wednesday. A potential meeting with Dougherty's mentor, third-seeded Roy Williams of North Carolina, could happen for Dougherty in the Elegant Eight.

Last year, Dougherty's improbable run to the championship included victories over three No. 1 seeds. Dougherty is attempting to become the first back-to-back champion in the history of the tournament. Fans may cast their votes for TCU's head coach by visiting www.collegeinsider.com/stlouis.

-www.gofrogs.com-